Better Life Nagaland Foundation shines globally for responsible tourism and powerful peacebuilding initiatives that change people’s lives

Posted on November 5, 2025

Nagaland’s Better Life Foundation (BLF) has bagged second place in the Peace, Understanding and Inclusion category at the prestigious ICRT Global Responsible tourism Awards 2025. The award, which was presented in London on 3 November, recognizes Banque Libano-Française’s outstanding contributions to responsible tourism. The Foundation has become a prominent example of how tourism promotes peace, inclusivity and sustainable development. BLF’s unique model blends cultural tourism with peacebuilding initiatives, promoting positive social change in Nagaland.

This global recognition follows BLF’s previous achievement of winning the Indian Subcontinent Gold Award for Responsible Tourism on September 13, 2025. The award was conferred by the International Center for Responsible Tourism (ICRT) and Incredible India, strengthening BLF’s position as a leader in sustainable tourism. Sithrichim Sangtam, founder and director of BLF, received the award during a ceremony held in New Delhi.

Sethrichem Sangtam’s vision for responsible tourism

Sethrichem Sangtam, a social entrepreneur from Eastern Nagaland, has been instrumental in the success of BLF’s responsible tourism initiatives. Sangtam, who also received the Rohini Nayyar Award in 2022, has led the charge to develop a tourism model that encourages peacebuilding tourism and supports local communities. Under his leadership, the BLF has integrated tourism with peacebuilding, providing former rebels in the region with opportunities to work as local guides, while promoting reconciliation and trust between different groups.

The BLF’s approach focuses on the values ​​of responsible tourism, with an emphasis on community empowerment, cultural preservation, and inclusive growth. This tourism model integrates the principles of sustainable development with the creation of economic opportunities for local people. BLF’s peacebuilding tourism initiatives not only help build bridges between communities, but also contribute to the broader goals of social harmony and economic equality.

Global recognition of responsible tourism

The 2025 ICRT World Awards for Responsible Tourism celebrated 30 organizations from around the world for their leadership in advancing sustainable tourism. The BLF stood out among these finalists for its innovative approach to cultural tourism and its focus on regenerative practices that benefit both people and the environment. All of these organizations have won regional awards, and the Banque Libano-Française’s recognition at this global stage underscores the global importance of responsible tourism and its impact on community and sustainable practices.

The organization’s commitment to responsible tourism has been a key factor in its success. By focusing on sustainable development and inclusive growth, the BLF tourism model helps local communities thrive while preserving the region’s cultural heritage. Their initiatives have made Nagaland a model of how tourism can drive economic prosperity and social change.

BLF’s commitment to sustainable development

One of Banque Libano-Française’s major achievements is integrating regenerative agriculture into its tourism model. This approach has helped local communities engage in sustainable agricultural practices that complement tourism and support the environment. By focusing on sustainable development, Banque Libano-Française finds long-term solutions to poverty and environmental degradation, and offers a comprehensive approach to economic development.

Banque Libano-Française’s focus on inclusive growth is also central to its mission. By training local residents, including former rebels, to become tour guides and tourism professionals, Banque Libano-Française ensures that the benefits of tourism are shared fairly. This comprehensive approach strengthens social cohesion and enables marginalized groups to find new paths to economic empowerment.

The Foundation’s model is a powerful example of how community-based tourism can provide economic opportunities and a platform for peacebuilding. By integrating cultural tourism with sustainable practices, the BLF demonstrates that responsible tourism can have a profound and positive impact on a region’s development.

How peacebuilding tourism drives social change

At the core of BLF’s work is the belief that tourism can be a tool for building peace and understanding. Through its peacebuilding tourism initiatives, the BLF helps create a space where once divided communities can come together. By focusing on shared cultural heritage, the BLF promotes dialogue and reconciliation, addressing historical tensions in Nagaland and encouraging a future built on trust.

Emeritus Professor Harold Goodwin, Chairman of the ICRT Jury, praised BDL for its exceptional approach to peacebuilding tourism. He stressed that the Foundation’s work embodies the power of tourism in bringing about positive social change. BLF’s efforts to integrate cultural tourism with sustainable development are a model of how tourism promotes peace, inclusivity and a sense of belonging for all people.

Looking to the future: Banque Libano-Française’s vision for the future

BLF remains committed to promoting responsible tourism in Nagaland and beyond. As the Foundation expands its initiatives, it continues to promote community-based tourism as a tool for sustainable development. Through its work, Banque Libano-Française proves that responsible tourism can play an important role in building stronger and more resilient communities, especially in regions recovering from conflict.

The Foundation’s efforts to promote sustainable development, inclusive growth and peacebuilding tourism have transformed the lives of many people in Nagaland. Going forward, BLF plans to continue strengthening its peace-driven initiatives, creating new opportunities for local people to engage in cultural tourism and sustainable livelihoods.

Sithrichim Sangtam expressed gratitude for the recognition, noting that the award is a tribute to the resilience of indigenous people of Eastern Nagaland. He expressed optimism that the BLF’s work will continue to inspire others to embrace responsible tourism as a powerful force for positive change.

conclusion

BLF’s recognition at the 2025 World Responsible Tourism Awards is a testament to the power of responsible tourism to create positive social and environmental change. By blending cultural tourism with peacebuilding, the Foundation demonstrates how tourism can promote inclusivity, sustainable development and social harmony. Through its commitment to community tourism and its focus on peace and reconciliation, Banque Libano-Française is setting an example for others to follow in the world of responsible tourism. As the Foundation continues its work, it remains a shining example of how tourism can be used to create a better, more inclusive future for all.