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WHO WE ARE Since 2008, the Zayed Sustainability Prize has been empowering global changemakers, recognising their innovative sustainability solutions and amplifying their transformative impact. MEET OUR WINNERS HEALTH doctorShare, Indonesia View More FOOD Gaza Urban & Peri-urban Agricultural Platform (GUPAP), Palestine View More ENERGY Ignite Power, Rwanda View More WATER Eau et Vie, France View More CLIMATE ACTION Kelp Blue, Namibia View More GLOBAL HIGH SCHOOLS Discover our high school Winners View More View All OUR IMPACT Through our 117 winners, we have transformed the lives of 384 million people, and counting. 0 BILLION Tonnes of CO₂ reduced 0 MILLION People gained access to safe drinking water 0 MILLION People gained access to nutritious food 0 Jobs have been created 0 People gained access to affordable healthcare 0 Community members benefitting from
high school projects MEET OUR JURY H.E. OLAFUR
RAGNAR GRIMSSON Former President of the Republic of Iceland
Chairs, Zayed Sustainability Prize Jury View More H.E. DR. THANI BIN
AHMED AL ZEYOUDI UAE Cabinet Member Minister of State for Foreign Trade View More DR. ANDREAS JACOBS Chairman, INSEAD View More H.E. Mariam Al Mheiri Head of the International Affairs Office
at the Presidential Court View More View All TIMELINE Stay updated on the current Prize cycle. Submissions
Open December Present Submissions
Close June Shortlist
Submissions September Announce
Finalists October Announce
Winners January OUR LATEST NEWS 01 March 2024 From Insight to Action: My Transformative Experience at the World Environmental Education Congress Imagine stepping into a realm where every conversation, every session, ignites a spark within you. This was my reality at the World Environmental Education Congress (WEEC), it is the world’s largest gathering of environmental educators, leaders, advocates, and even students to forge a sustainable future through the power of education. “Connecting People, Creating Tomorrow” was not just a theme, it was an invitation to embark on a life-long journey of sustainability. It challenged us to make a collaborative effort on finding ways to achieve a more sustainable world. We can learn from one another. We may have different approaches to solve the problem, but what matters most is that we’re solving it together for the better.  Among the mosaic of sessions, the keynote speech captivated me. The speaker, Razan Al Mubarak, President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, empowered the minds of the youth to foster a culture of sustainability. Powerfully, she emphasised that knowledge alone is not enough to solve environmental problems but also the dedication and willingness to protect the environment.  The speech painted a vision where education transcends knowledge dissemination to become a catalyst for empathy, action, and innovation. This wasn't just a speech; it was a call to action for the next generation, which has not only the knowledge but also the heart to protect our planet.  But what made WEEC truly unforgettable were the connections forged in the spaces between. Over steaming cups of coffee, we shared stories, empowering youth with our journey to winning the Zayed Sustainability Prize. In our sessions, we united in the conviction that together, we can overcome environmental challenges worldwide. Leaving the congress, I felt hopeful and determined. The Congress marked a pivotal moment for me, transforming my perspective on our environment. It made me realise that those of us who care about the planet need to lead by example, showing both knowledge and compassion in our efforts.  I owe a debt of gratitude to the Zayed Sustainability Prize for this life-changing journey. I am keen to share the valuable insights acquired at WEEC, just as I have done here. Let's apply these lessons in our communities and classrooms to drive meaningful change. Together, we can forge a future of collective action, living in harmony with nature.   Read More 24 January 2024 Nkhata Bay's Solar Triumph 2014 Zayed Sustainability Prize Winners in the Global High Schools category, Sub-Saharan Africa   By Principal George Kulaso   Our school, the Nkhata Bay Authority in Malawi, was the winner of the Zayed Sustainability Prize in the Global High Schools (Sub-Saharan Africa region). This was an honour not just for our school, but indeed for our entire community.    Last December, our school's delegation had the honour of attending the Prize Awards Ceremony at COP28 UAE. Joyce Mhango and Mary Zayed had the distinct privilege of highlighting the transformative impact that the Prize has had on our entire community. I then joined them in thanking the UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his support.   We shared the profound impact winning the Prize had on our community. A testament to this was Joyce's story of how Mary received her name in honour of Sheikh Zayed, being one of the first babies born in a well-lit health clinic, a direct benefit of our Prize victory.   For some context as to why this meant so much to us, Malawi is one of the least electrified countries in the world with only 5 percent of rural communities having access to power and electricity.   Winning the Prize enabled us to build the Zayed Solar Academy – the very first solar academy in Malawi targeting rural youth and women.   The Zayed Solar Academy initiated the formation of a solar curriculum in collaboration with the Malawi government. We are now a national college specialising in solar PV technologies, recruiting youth around the country.    We are working towards becoming a centre for excellence for solar technologies and research.    Thank you, Sheikh Zayed.   Read More 19 January 2024 Architect of Change: A Youth Activist's Journey at COP28 I'm Harry Rostron, a youth climate activist and third-year student studying Architecture and Environmental Engineering at the University of the West of England. As a Zayed Sustainability Prize Youth Ambassador, I had the privilege of participating in COP28 this past year, an event which left an impression on me and altered my perspective of the climate movement. Growing up in Indonesia I developed a love for island nations and a personal mission to protect the most vulnerable countries against a rapidly changing climate. When I learned that a historic agreement was reached on the operationalisation of the Loss and Damage Fund on the first day of the conference, I knew that COP28 was going to go down in history. With over $700 million pledged, the fund marks a critical starting point for bridging the gap between the global North and South. The invitation to serve as a Youth Ambassador at COP28 was especially exciting for me, as it opened doors to numerous speaking engagements, a rarity for someone my age. I engaged in constructive dialogue over subjects I feel deeply connected to with people at the centre of the topics.  During the Conference of Youth, I was part of a panel where young people discussed their schools’ sustainability initiatives, focusing on the challenges and innovative solutions we encountered. Later, I participated in a panel that highlighted the need for inclusive digitisation and equitable access, while emphasising the integration of sustainable practices across industries. This talk reinforced the critical role of emerging generations in driving transformative change. I am very proud of my contributions at COP28 where I, as a young person, was encouraged to share my thoughts and actively participate in shaping a better future. My journey as a changemaker, uniquely positioned at the vital nexus of architecture and sustainability, has been profoundly defined and sharpened by the insightful discussions I engaged in at this pivotal event, which stands at the core of the climate crisis. Witnessing history in the making at COP28 has left a huge impression on me. The pressing need for transformation in our energy-intensive built environments is clear, and it begins with a field that has captivated me for the past five years: architecture. Engaging with many experts at COP28 has solidified my belief in the urgency of integrating sustainable practices into architecture and construction. This revelation, alongside the significant outcomes on Loss & Damage, stands as one of my most impactful takeaways from the conference.  The voice of the youth is powerful and is now being heard loud across the globe due in part to the increasing inclusivity of COPs. I have been truly inspired by my own generation’s drive to enact meaningful change, and I left the conference with a newfound hope and optimism for the future of our shared planet.      Read More 20 December 2023 Zayed Sustainability Prize opens submissions for 2025 cycle Small and medium enterprises, nonprofit organisations and high schools are invited to submit entries before the 23 June 2024 deadline   Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 20 December 2023: The Zayed Sustainability Prize, the UAE’s pioneering global sustainability and humanitarian award, has officially announced that the 2025 cycle is now open for submissions.   Submissions will be accepted until 23 June 2024 through the Prize’s online portal. Small to medium enterprises (SMEs), nonprofit organisations (NPOs) and high schools with sustainable solutions are invited to submit an entry for consideration in one of the six categories of Heath, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action and Global High Schools.   Commenting on the launch of the 2025 submissions cycle, H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Director General of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, and COP28 President, said: “Since 2008, the Zayed Sustainability Prize has honoured the legacy of Sheikh Zayed by fostering inclusive sustainable and humanitarian development around the world. In this decisive decade for climate change, these values are more important than ever. I am optimistic that the Prize will contribute to global climate action in line with the UAE Consensus, which will pave the way toward an effective response to the Global Stocktake decision.”    In response to the pressing climate crisis, and to further support the UAE’s efforts to accelerate practical solutions needed to drive climate action and uplift vulnerable communities around the world, the Prize has increased its funds from US $3.6 million to US $5.9 million. The Prize will reward US $1 million to each winner in the organisational categories of Health, Food, Energy, Water and Climate Action. Within the Global High Schools category, which is split into six world regions, each school can claim up to US $150,000 to start or further expand their project. The six world regions of the Global High Schools category are The Americas, Europe & Central Asia, Middle East & North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and East Asia & Pacific.  The most recent Zayed Sustainability Prize winners were recognised at an Awards Ceremony held during COP28 UAE.   To encourage a broader range of organisations and high schools to participate, the Prize will be accepting submissions in multiple languages, including Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish, and Portuguese. This will ensure that innovative solutions from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds can be recognised.   For the Health, Food, Energy, Water and Climate Action categories, organisations should prove that they are improving access to essential products or services in their targeted communities and are able to 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.   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 during the 2025 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW).     Read More View All
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