Zayed Sustainability Prize, the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) pioneering global award in sustainability, invites innovators from global organisations and high schools to submit entries for the 13th edition of the Prize. Winners of each category will receive US$600,000 to further implement their sustainability solutions to transform lives around the world.
Accepting entries until 11 June 2020 via its online portal, the Prize received a record-breaking number of submissions last year, with 2,373 entries from 129 countries. The Prize consists of five categories – Health, Food, Energy, Water and Global High Schools – and recognises innovative solutions in sustainable and humanitarian development across these sectors.
H.E. Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and Director General of the Zayed Sustainability Prize says: “With a 12-year record of recognising and rewarding excellent solutions, we are confident the Prize will continue to attract more of the world’s most dedicated innovators to submit their entries, in support of resolving the world’s most pressing sustainability challenges.”
“Inspired by Sheikh Zayed’s legacy of commitment to global sustainability and humanitarianism, the Prize also aligns with the emphasis our leadership has given this year to planning, preparing and finding solutions for the next 50 years,” he adds.
Launched in 2008, the Prize has awarded a total of 86 winners whose solutions or school projects have, directly and indirectly, transformed the lives of more than 335 million people around the world.
One of them is local water management company, ECOSOFTT, which became the first organisation from Singapore to receive the award when it won the Water category in 2019. ECOSOFTT’s innovative technologies enable water sustainability through total management of the water cycle for living communities, including townships, homes, commercial buildings and villages. From over 50 projects in five countries which gave more than 500,000 people access to clean water, the prize money has allowed them to reach even more communities.
Mr Marcus Lim, Co-Founder and Managing Director at ECOSOFTT, says “The Zayed Sustainability Prize has gained a reputation for recognising leading sustainability solutions globally. Winning the Prize was an important recognition of our unique and innovative approach to address the challenges communities face on account of water shortage, scarcity and quality. It has also helped us to connect with a global network of influencers and innovators that are working towards the Sustainable Development Goals.”
The Prize’s US$3 million annual fund rewards winners US$600,000 in each category. The Global High Schools category is split into winners from six global geographic regions, with each school claiming up to US$100,000 to start or augment projects in their local communities. The Global High Schools category was introduced to the Prize in 2012 to empower and enhance communities of the future starting with the next generation of sustainability leaders.
While the scope of the submissions vary, core elements of each entry lie in the innovative ways in which technology, applications and solutions are driving positive transformations of people’s lives. For the Health, Food, Energy and Water categories, organisations should demonstrate that they are improving access to essential products or services and have a long-term vision for improved living and working conditions. Only small to medium enterprises (SMEs) or non-profit organisations (NPOs) are eligible to take part. For the Global High Schools category, student-led-and-run projects should demonstrate innovative approaches that will also be impactful and inspirational to others.
