Incomindios Lippuner Scholarship 2026: The Winner

We are delighted to introduce Mádeli Melissa Chá Sontay as this year’s winner of the Incomindios Lippuner Scholarship.

Mádeli Melissa Chá Sontay is a young Maya Poqomchi’ student from Guatemala studying translation and interpreting. Her work focuses on the intersection of indigenous women’s rights, environmental justice and youth development. Through her work, she is committed to strengthening the participation of indigenous young people through community-based educational approaches, storytelling and intercultural dialogue.

She has worked with indigenous organisations and in international contexts, and brings important perspectives on issues such as land rights, identity, ecological knowledge and the role of young indigenous women in processes of social transformation.

As part of the Incomindios Lippuner Scholarship, Mádeli is planning a community-based research project on indigenous knowledge led by women. The project will focus on the corn cycle, agricultural calendars, ritual practices and the respectful treatment of the land in Maya territories. The aim is to document this knowledge and translate it into accessible formats in order to promote intercultural understanding and support more sustainable approaches to environmental and development issues.

Mádeli has also taken part in international forums such as the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, where she has brought the perspectives of indigenous young people into global debates.

Congratulations to Mádeli – we are looking forward to supporting her on her future journey.