News Stay up to date with our latest news Recents 02 October 2025 Zayed Sustainability Prize Announces 2026 Finalists Driving Global Impact 33 finalists selected from 7,761 submissions across 173 countries This year’s finalists are pioneering inclusive, tech-enabled, and locally adapted solutions that tackle urgent global challenges—delivering clean energy, safe water, nutritious food, quality healthcare, and climate resilience to millions worldwide The Prize’s global impact has reached over 400 million lives, demonstrating the power of innovation to transform communities and shape a sustainable future   2 October 2025: Abu Dhabi, UAE – The Zayed Sustainability Prize, the UAE’s pioneering award for innovative solutions to global challenges, has announced this year’s finalists following a rigorous evaluation by its esteemed Jury.   The winners will be revealed at the Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony on 13 January 2026, held during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.   The Zayed Sustainability Prize’s Jury selected the 33 finalists from 7,761 entries received across six categories: Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action and Global High Schools – a 30% increase in submissions over last year.   H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Director General of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, emphasised the transformative potential of this year’s finalists:   “This year’s finalists show that sustainability and prosperity are no longer separate goals, but two sides of the same path forward. From AI-enabled health diagnostics and circular food systems to disaster preparedness and climate resilience, they are harnessing technology, finance, and community leadership to deliver solutions that are affordable, reliable, scalable and generate socioeconomic value for the communities they serve.   In doing so, they reflect the enduring legacy of Sheikh Zayed, whose vision of sustainable development and humanitarianism continues to inspire the UAE’s commitment to progress. Together, they reaffirm that when we empower youth, entrepreneurs, and communities, ambition can be turned into action that is inclusive, practical, and global.”   Through the Prize’s 128 winners to date, 11.4 million people have gained access to safe drinking water, 54.1 million homes have gained access to reliable energy, 17 million people have gained access to more nutritious food, and over 1.2 million people have gained access to affordable healthcare.   H.E. Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, Chair of the Prize Jury, said: “This year’s finalists reveal a powerful truth: sustainability is no longer a distant ambition, it is a lived reality shaped by communities, young people, and innovators across the globe. Their solutions reflect a world awakening to the urgency of rapidly changing environmental and socioeconomic realities, and the Prize continues to be a beacon of hope, showing how bold ideas can transform lives and restore our planet.”   This year’s Health finalists are delivering transformative healthcare that expand access to essential services in some of the world’s most underserved communities. Their innovations span AI diagnostics, solar powered vaccine refrigeration, and gamified cognitive tools.   The Health finalists are: Drop Access, an SME from Kenya, provides solar powered medical refrigeration via Vaccibox, enabling safe transport and storage of over 2.5 million vaccines, medicines, and blood bags, benefiting over one million people. Healthy Learners, an NPO from Zambia, transforms schools into frontline health hubs by training teachers as health workers, enabling real-time disease detection and treatment for over 1 million children. Jade Autism, an SME from the United Arab Emirates, develops AI and gamified cognitive tools to screen and support neurodiverse children, with adoption in over 450 institutions across 179 countries.   This year’s Food finalists are pioneering innovations in sustainable agriculture, nutrition, and circular food systems. Their solutions span AgriTech, crop resilience, and climate-smart production models.   The Food finalists are: E Green Global, an SME from South Korea, produces disease-free seed potatoes using microtuber technology in indoor plant factories, benefiting 15 million people and supplying over 10 million seed potatoes annually. INMED South Africa, an NPO from South Africa, implements aquaponics systems that integrate fish farming with hydroponic vegetable production for schools and households, benefiting over 158,000 people. N&E Innovations, an SME from Singapore, creates upcycled, biodegradable antimicrobial sprays and packaging that extend food shelf life and reduce waste, upcycling over 2 tonnes of food waste into 400,000 plus units and reaching 80,000 people across seven countries.     This year’s Energy finalists are advancing inclusive and scalable approaches to sustainable energy, tackling challenges in access and efficiency. Their solutions span provision of energy to remote communities, clean cooling and water-based battery recycling.   The Energy finalists are: BASE Foundation, an NPO from Switzerland, promotes a cooling-as-a-service model that makes clean cooling technologies more accessible through a pay-per-use approach, benefiting 160,000 people, creating 2,500 jobs, and abating over 81,000 tonnes of CO₂ across 68 countries. GRST, an SME from Hong Kong SAR, China, develops PFAS-free lithium battery binders that enable water-based recycling, producing over 2 million battery cells, creating more than 200 jobs, and reducing battery manufacturing emissions by up to 40%. Poder y Luz Maya, an NPO from Guatemala, provides solar power systems and digital learning tools for indigenous schools, benefiting over 49,000 people, reducing energy use by more than 4,700 MWh, and abating over 1,200 tonnes of CO₂.   This year’s Water finalists are delivering breakthrough solutions that expand access to clean drinking water, strengthen water infrastructure, and advance intelligent water management. Their innovations span solar powered purification systems, plastic pollution prevention, and AI-enabled leak detection.   The Water finalists are: IRIBA Water Group, an SME from Rwanda, provides solar powered smart water ATMs with UV and RO purification, mobile payments, and digital monitoring to expand access to safe drinking water, benefiting over 517,000 people through 203 water ATMs and creating 194 jobs. Stattus4, an SME from Brazil, develops AI-powered IoT solutions that detect leaks in water distribution networks, saving 540 million litres of water daily across 250 municipalities, improving water availability for nearly 4 million people. The Great Bubble Barrier, an SME from the Netherlands, prevents plastic pollution in rivers using a curtain of air bubbles that guides waste to catchment systems without harming aquatic life, benefiting 2 million people and removing 180 tonnes of pollutants from waterways.   This year’s Climate Action finalists are leading transformative efforts in climate resilience, disaster preparedness and circular innovation. Their solutions span eco-bricks, biogas systems and waste-to-value technologies.   The Climate Action finalists are: Build Up Nepal, an NPO from Nepal, develops earthquake-resilient eco-bricks that support sustainable construction, benefiting more than 58,000 people, empowering 200 entrepreneurs, and abating over 110,000 tonnes of CO₂. CLIC RECYCLE, an SME from Spain, converts human hair waste into biodegradable mulch and marine filters, engaging over 7,000 users, removing 180 tonnes of pollutants, and improving soil water retention by up to 40%. GREE Energy, an SME from Hong Kong SAR, China, creates modular biogas systems for rural food processors, benefiting 4,000 farmers, generating 9.3 GWh of clean energy, and abating 140,000 tonnes of CO₂.   The Global High Schools’ finalists presented project-based, student-led sustainability solutions, with finalists divided into six regions. The regional finalists include:   The Americas: Centro de Ensino Médio 111 - Recanto das Emas (Brazil); Escuela Secundaria Técnica 117 Guillermo González Camarena (Mexico); and Mamawi Atosketan Native School (Canada).   Sub-Saharan Africa: Likuni Boys Secondary School (Malawi); Kallamino Special High School (Ethiopia); and Kyanja High School, Mpigi (Uganda).   Middle East & North Africa: Fawakhir School for Applied Technology (Egypt); Al-Raja School for the Hearing Impaired (Jordan); and Rashaya High School (Lebanon).   Europe & Central Asia: Bodrum Anadolu High School (Türkiye); Specialized School in Angor (Uzbekistan); and Istedad Lyceum (Azerbaijan).   South Asia: Qadir Nagar High School (Pakistan); Faafu Atoll Education Center (Maldives); and Kikani Vidhya Mandir (India).   East Asia & Pacific: Camarines Norte Senior High School (The Philippines); True North International School (Vietnam); and Ruamrudee International School (Thailand).   Each winner in the Health, Food, Energy, Water, and Climate Action categories will receive US $1 million, while each of the six winning Global High Schools will receive up to US $150,000. Read More 24 July 2025 Zayed Sustainability Prize Sees Surge in Global Participation with 7,761 Entries With 128 winners transforming 400 million lives around the world, the Prize continues to attract the world’s most pioneering sustainability solutions 30% surge in global entries highlights the Prize’s growing impact in advancing transformative solutions across health, food, water, energy, and climate action AI-powered solutions, disruptive innovations, and technologies that expand access to essential services emerged as defining trends across all categories, reflecting a global shift toward inclusive, locally adapted development   Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 24 July 2025 – The UAE’s Zayed Sustainability Prize, a pioneering global award that has transformed the lives of over 400 million people, has officially closed submissions for its 2026 awards cycle. A total of 7,761 entries from 173 countries were received across the six categories of Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action and Global High Schools, reflecting the Prize’s continued role in advancing impactful solutions to pressing global challenges.   Now in its 17th year, the Prize empowers small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), nonprofit organisations and high schools to develop and scale sustainable innovations that improve lives, especially in vulnerable and underserved communities. From clean energy and healthcare access to regenerative agriculture and safe drinking water, this year’s submissions reflect a rising focus on technology-powered, community-led models that expand access where it’s needed most.   Submissions increased by 30% compared to the previous cycle. There was a marked rise in projects that integrate cutting-edge technologies – such as artificial intelligence, direct air carbon capture, and fintech tools – with grassroots approaches, highlighting how innovation, equity, and long-term impact are converging in meaningful ways.   H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Director-General of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, said: “The record number of submissions to this year’s Prize cycle reflects a growing global commitment to practical, scalable solutions that deliver long-term impact. We saw particularly strong momentum in food systems, where smart technologies are helping boost productivity and resilience. Across all categories, the increased use of AI and other advanced technologies highlights how innovation is being harnessed to drive inclusive, community-led progress. The Zayed Sustainability Prize remains focused on recognising pioneers who deliver measurable impact and advance sustainable development worldwide.”   Early analysis shows that around 85% of all submissions came from the developing and emerging economies, with top contributions from India, Ethiopia, Uzbekistan, Brazil, and Indonesia. Participation was also high from developed countries like the United Arab Emirates and the United States of America, both making it into the top 10 submission countries.   The Food (1,630) and Climate Action (1,880) categories attracted the highest number of entries, reflecting the global urgency around food security, ecosystem protection, and disaster resilience. These were followed by Health (1,497), Global High Schools (1,070), Water (863) and Energy (821).   Submissions to the Health category grew by over 60% this year, with entries focusing on AI-enabled diagnostics, wearable tech, and decentralised care. Many also explored tech-enabled sustainable logistics and improved traceability to strengthen healthcare delivery systems.   The Food category highlighted advances in precision agriculture and agri-robotics, with smart systems and drones helping farmers boost yields as well as circularity in food systems. In Energy, submissions revealed a growing interest in thermal energy storage and advanced low-carbon fuels, and broader energy transformation, including solutions for future-proofing energy systems to meet the growing global demand scenarios.   Entries in the Water category explored innovative ways to expand freshwater access, including atmospheric water generation and low-energy desalination, as well as fintech tools that promote more transparent and equitable distribution.   Climate Action entries addressed both mitigation and adaptation, featuring nature-based solutions, direct air carbon capture, predictive tools for resilience and disaster preparedness, and community-based conservation grounded in Indigenous knowledge.   Youth-led submissions in Global High Schools reflected a remarkable surge in youth engagement and commitment to sustainability, with projects ranging from AI-powered climate monitoring and smart irrigation for school farms to low-cost water filtration and tech-based approaches to waste tracking and upcycling.   Following the close of submissions, the Prize now enters the evaluation stage. All entries will be shortlisted by an independent research and analysis consultancy. A Selection Committee comprised of globally renowned industry experts will then assess the qualified entries and shortlist the candidates. The third and final tier of the evaluation process is the Jury, which will convene in October to unanimously elect the winners in each category.   Winners will be announced at the Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony on 13 January 2026, during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. Each winner in the organisational categories will receive US $1 million, while six high schools – representing the world’s regions – will be awarded US $150,000 each to implement or expand their sustainability projects.     Read More 10 February 2025 Zayed Sustainability Prize Opens Global Call for Transformative Solutions The US $5.9 million fund empowers small and medium sized enterprises, nonprofits, and high schools to develop sustainable solutions and transform their communities Across 6 key categories – Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action and Global High Schools –winners will be recognised for their groundbreaking impact and receive the prestigious award   Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 10 February 2025: The UAE’s Zayed Sustainability Prize, a portfolio entity of Erth Zayed Philanthropies which has impacted 400 million lives worldwide by advancing innovative solutions to pressing global challenges, has officially announced its call for submissions for 2026. Marking 17 years of continued support and empowerment for the next generation of sustainability champions, the Prize invites small to medium enterprises (SMEs), nonprofit organisations, and high schools to submit their projects in six distinct categories: Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action, and Global High Schools.   In 2024, the Prize received 5,980 submissions from 156 countries, reflecting a growing international commitment to sustainable development. As the 2026 submission cycle begins, the Prize aims to build on this momentum and seize the unique opportunity at the Nexus of Next, a dynamic convergence of technological innovation, human ingenuity, and strategic vision to accelerate progress worldwide.   Commenting on the launch, H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Director General of the Zayed Sustainability Prize said: “The Zayed Sustainability Prize honours Sheikh Zayed’s vision of advancing inclusive sustainable and humanitarian development. By supporting projects that harness new technologies to improve lives and drive prosperity in local communities, the Prize places people at the heart of progress, and demonstrates the role of the Nexus of Next in accelerating socio-economic growth worldwide.”   The Prize will reward US $1 million to the winners of each organisational category, while those in the Global High Schools category - split into six world regions – can claim up to US $150,000 to deploy or further expand their project. This funding has already enabled tangible progress and improved living conditions in vulnerable areas around the world, from expanding healthcare access in Southeast Asia to reducing food poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa.   The most recent Zayed Sustainability Prize winners were recognised at an Awards Ceremony in Abu Dhabi in the presence of H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, President of the United Arab Emirates, alongside 11 Heads of State and several Ministers and business leaders. These distinguished guests witnessed the promise and impact of each winner, as well as the UAE’s firm commitment to providing a platform for such solutions to grow.   For the 2026 cycle, applicants in the Health, Food, Energy, Water and Climate Action categories must prove that their solution is improving access to essential services in their communities, and that they can implement a long-term vision for better living and working conditions. For the Global High Schools category, projects should be led by students and must demonstrate innovative approaches to address sustainability challenges.   To encourage a broader range of organisations and high schools to participate, the Prize accepts submissions in multiple languages, including Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish, and Portuguese.   The evaluation of each submission to the Prize consists of a rigorous, three-stage process. First, due diligence is conducted on all submissions to ensure that they meet the Prize’s evaluation criteria of Impact, Innovation, and Inspiration. This identifies the qualified entries and results in the selection of eligible candidates. Following this, evaluations are undertaken by a Selection Committee consisting of category-specific panels of independent international experts. From this shortlist of candidates, the finalists are chosen and then sent to the Prize Jury who unanimously elect the winners across all six categories.   Winners of the Zayed Sustainability Prize will be announced at an Awards Ceremony in 2026.   For more details and to submit your application, please click here. Read More 14 January 2025 Zayed Sustainability Prize celebrates innovators driving global progress at 2025 Awards Today, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, recognised the 2025 winners of the Zayed Sustainability Prize. Celebrating the transformational impact of 11 pioneering organisations and high schools from across the world, the Prize reflects the UAE’s commitment to fostering scalable solutions to global challenges and empowering communities in their pursuit of sustainable prosperity.   In a Ceremony held during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) and attended by 11 Heads of State, Ministers, and business leaders, H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed awarded the winners for their remarkable achievements, encouraging continued innovation in every corner of the globe.   H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed said: “The UAE remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering sustainable development and empowering communities across the world through innovation. The Zayed Sustainability Prize inspires impactful solutions that address critical social and environmental challenges. By nurturing these efforts, we are not only creating a more sustainable future for all, but also honouring the legacy of Sheikh Zayed, whose vision for global progress and humanitarianism continues to guide us.”   H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Director General of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, lauded the incredible work being done to deliver innovative and scalable solutions that address the world’s most pressing challenges.   H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber said: “Today, we recognise a remarkable group of organisations and high schools that are driving tangible progress toward a more prosperous future. This year’s Prize winners showcase solutions that leverage advanced technologies, including AI, enhance local resilience, and deliver transformative, scalable impact worldwide. In doing so, they embody the power of progress in accelerating sustainable development and inclusive socio-economic growth.”   The 2025 Prize winners were elected by a distinguished panel of Jury members, across the six categories of Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action and Global High Schools. The Chair of the Jury and former President of the Republic of Iceland, H.E. Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, said: “This year’s winners have showcased extraordinary innovation in addressing critical global challenges. They are tackling a huge range of problems, focused on reducing the damage from climate change and building more sustainable access to healthcare, energy, food and water, especially in underserved communities. These winners have the potential to drive significant, scalable impact around the world. Their contributions will undoubtedly move us closer towards achieving crucial sustainable development goals.”   In the Health category, India’s Periwinkle Technologies was awarded the Prize for its portable, AI-enabled cervical cancer screening device. Operating independently of electricity, the device is accessible even in remote or underserved area. It provides results at the point of care within 30 seconds, enabling early detection and significantly improving women’s health outcomes, having already screened over 300,000 women across India.   In the Food category, Nigeria’s NaFarm Foods won for its innovative hybrid solar food dryers that prevent post-harvest losses, reducing both food wastage and carbon consumption. To-date, 80 dryers have been distributed across six Nigerian states, benefitting over 65,000 farmers and lowering carbon emissions by 50,000 metric tonnes annually, whilst simultaneously empowering over 18,000 women and youth through up-skilling programmes.   In the Energy category, Palki Motors, an SME from Bangladesh, was awarded the Prize for its locally manufactured, affordable, and lightweight electric vehicles, designed specifically for commercial drivers. Priced at an accessible US $4,990, these vehicles cater to the unique transportation needs of the region. Palki Motors also operates a network of solar powered battery swap stations, which has already benefitted over 23,000 people.   In the Water category, SkyJuice Foundation, an NPO from Australia, won for its low-cost, easy to use, gravity-powered, water treatment solution, which uses low-pressure membrane filters to provide clean drinking water without the need for chemicals, pumps, or external energy sources. Their SkyHydrant model provides clean, potable water to entire communities. Over 3 million people have already benefitted from their 9,000 installations across 74 countries, which have collectively produced 1 billion gallons of safe drinking water.   In the Climate Action category, OpenMap Development Tanzania won for its innovative mapping solutions, which merge community-driven data collection with advanced technologies such as drones, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing. To date, the NPO has benefitted 140,000 people, engaged over 1,000 youth in community health efforts, and created 100 jobs.   Finally, the Zayed Sustainability Prize provides unparalleled opportunities for the next generation of sustainability leaders through its Global High Schools category, empowering youth to drive critical progress in their communities. As of 2025, the Prize’s 56 Global High Schools winners have impacted the lives of over 56,599 students and 480,660 people across the globe.   The 2025 recipients of the Global High Schools awards are Centro de Estudios Tecnológicos del Mar 07 (Mexico) representing The Americas; Sakafia Islamic Senior High School (Ghana), representing Sub-Saharan Africa; Merryland International School (UAE), representing the Middle East & North Africa; Presidential School in Tashkent (Uzbekistan), representing Europe & Central Asia; Janamaitri Multiple Campus (Nepal), representing South Asia; and Te Pā o Rākaihautū (New Zealand), representing East Asia & Pacific.   From providing access to clean energy, nutritious food, and safe water, to improving healthcare and strengthening climate resilience, the 2025 winners’ efforts embody the Prize’s commitment to the power of progress and sustainable innovation. Read More Load More Inspiration delivered to your inbox Get all the latest updates from the Zayed Sustainability Prize and learn about the impact our finalists, winners and partners are making globally.