News Stay up to date with our latest news Recents 28 September 2026 Zayed Sustainability Prize Unveils 2027 Finalists Following Record-Breaking Global Entry Record 10,233 submissions from 177 countries, up 32% year-on-year Finalists are delivering practical, scalable solutions across health, food, energy, water and climate action Prize has positively impacted more than 411 million lives worldwide   28 September 2026, Abu Dhabi, UAE – From AI that can predict pregnancy complications months in advance and robots that navigate water networks, to new technologies restoring degraded soil and heat-resilient corals rebuilding reefs, the Zayed Sustainability Prize has unveiled its 2027 finalists following the most competitive cycle in its history.   A record 10,233 submissions from 177 countries were received for the 2027 cycle, a 32% increase year-on-year, reflecting the growing global reach of the UAE’s pioneering award for innovative solutions to global challenges.   Following a rigorous evaluation process by the Prize Jury, finalists have been selected across six categories: Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action and Global High Schools.   Together, they represent solutions already delivering measurable impact on the ground. Their work spans maternal health, food security, energy access, water scarcity, ecosystem restoration and disaster preparedness, demonstrating how practical innovation can strengthen resilience, expand access to essential services and create lasting opportunities for communities.   The winners will be announced at the Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony on 12 January 2027, during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.   H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Director General of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, said:   “At a time when resilience, stability and human wellbeing have never been more important, this year’s finalists remind us what is possible when perseverance and purpose come together. The finalist’s work demonstrates that the most powerful solutions are those rooted in real-world needs, breaking down barriers and delivering meaningful, measurable impact. Inspired by the enduring legacy of Sheikh Zayed, the UAE remains committed to advancing practical solutions that uphold human dignity, strengthen self-reliance and create lasting socioeconomic value for communities around the world.”   For the 2027 cycle, every finalist is guaranteed financial support, extending the Prize’s backing beyond the eventual winners and helping more high-impact solutions advance and scale.   Organisational finalists across Health, Food, Energy, Water and Climate Action will receive US $100,000 each, while Global High Schools finalists will receive US $25,000 each. Those who go on to win their category will instead receive the winner award: US $1 million for organisational categories and US $150,000 for Global High Schools.   Introduced with the 2026 cycle, the increased funding recognises both the proven impact and the potential of solutions reaching the Prize’s final evaluation stage.   H.E. Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, Chair of the Prize Jury, said:   “The 2027 finalists demonstrate the enduring value of innovation in strengthening resilience, advancing human wellbeing and equipping communities to navigate an increasingly complex world. Their work shows that meaningful progress is built not only through technology, but through determination, local knowledge and the capacity of communities to adapt and thrive. The Prize continues to identify and support solutions that offer greater stability, opportunity and prosperity.”   Health: Reaching patients earlier   This year’s Health finalists are using artificial intelligence, community-based delivery and advanced medical technologies to expand access to healthcare, improve early diagnosis and strengthen frontline health systems. Elythea, an SME from the United States, uses AI to predict pregnancy complications from routine first-trimester data 6–8 months in advance, reaching over 63,000 direct beneficiaries and reducing adverse maternal outcomes in a five-country trial. GOAL 3, an SME from the Netherlands, combines durable bedside vital-sign monitoring with tablet-based patient records to detect deterioration earlier in children and newborns, reaching 157,000 direct beneficiaries across 48 hospitals. Marsi Bionics, an SME from Spain, deploys a paediatric exoskeleton with smart robotic joints that mimic muscle movement, providing personalised walking assistance to over 3,000 children through 67 devices.   Food: Building resilience from the ground up   The Food finalists are applying advanced technologies and regenerative practices to strengthen farmer resilience, restore soil health, improve agricultural productivity and reduce waste. Adaptive Symbiotic Technologies, an SME from the United States, uses microbial biotechnology combining fungal endophytes and beneficial soil bacteria to help crops tolerate drought, heat, salinity and nutrient stress, treating more than 13 million acres and increasing yields by 30–200%. ALSEC Alimentos Secos, an SME from Colombia, uses patented biotechnology and nanotechnology in a solar-powered processing plant to convert polluting liquid whey from artisan cheese producers into protein ingredients and purified water, recovering 22.7 million litres of whey and protecting 4.3 billion litres of water. TOWING, an SME from Japan, produces “Soratan,” a biochar treatment enhanced with specially cultivated microorganisms that can restore soil health in around one month rather than 3–5 years, increasing yields by 20% and treating 50,000 hectares.   Energy: Expanding access and advancing storage   The Energy finalists are improving efficiency, expanding last-mile energy access and advancing energy storage. Energy Assured, an SME from Nigeria, provides pay-as-you-go solar home systems, clean cookstoves and shared mobile solar irrigation pumps, reaching over 4.6 million people and 1.3 million smallholder farmers. Flint, an SME from Singapore, develops a rechargeable cellulose-based battery using zinc-manganese electrodes, eliminating lithium, cobalt, nickel and flammable electrolytes, with production capacity of 400,000 units per month and up to 150 tonnes of CO₂e avoided annually. Sustain Plus, an NPO from India, combines proven clean energy technologies with blended finance, community ownership and local delivery networks, deploying more than 34,000 decentralised solutions and reaching 2.5 million beneficiaries.   Water: Protecting every drop   The Water finalists are combining community ownership, circular treatment systems and advanced technologies to expand access to safe water and strengthen resilience in water-stressed communities. Fundación Aguatuya, an NPO from Bolivia, deploys decentralised modular treatment plants to convert wastewater into irrigation water, biofungicides and compost, recovering 1.08 million m³ of treated water annually for reuse. Rupantar, an NPO from Bangladesh, runs women-owned water enterprises using RO systems, restored ponds and rainwater harvesting, providing year-round safe water to around 450,000 people. Solinas, an SME from India, uses AI-equipped robotic crawlers to inspect and clean water and sewer pipes from the inside, saving up to 600,000 litres of water per day per kilometre inspected and benefiting 17 million people.   Climate Action: Restoring natural systems   The Climate Action finalists span carbon removal, climate resilience and ecosystem restoration, combining technology with approaches that strengthen natural systems and support livelihoods. Aquafondo, an NPO from Peru, restores ancestral water management systems including amunas, qochas and high-Andean wetlands to recharge aquifers, regulate water flows and strengthen water security across micro-watersheds, restoring more than 6,000 hectares and generating 14 million m³ of additional groundwater annually. Coral Gardeners, an NPO from French Polynesia, cultivates heat-resilient corals in underwater nurseries and pairs restoration with AI, sensor networks and 3D reef mapping, with more than 221,000 corals planted and 25,100 m² of reef restored. String Bio, an SME from India, produces CleanRise®, a methane-derived microbial biostimulant, combining rice-paddy application with gas monitoring, satellite tracking and carbon-credit sharing to cut methane emissions by up to 50% and increase yields by up to 39%.   Global High Schools: The next generation takes the lead   Across six regions, Global High Schools finalists are developing student-led, project-based solutions to sustainability challenges in their own communities.   The Americas: École Secondaire Lacombe Composite High School (Canada); Instituto Etnoeducativo Distrital Tayrona de Bunkwímake (Colombia); and Instituto Técnico Nuestra Señora de Fátima (Argentina).   Sub-Saharan Africa: Asifiwa Institute (Democratic Republic of the Congo); Oloosirkon Secondary School (Kenya); and Swami Vivekananda State Secondary School (Mauritius).   Middle East & North Africa: Applied Technology Schools, Ajman (United Arab Emirates); Inkhil Secondary School (Syria); and Rachaya High School (Lebanon).   Europe & Central Asia: Agrupamento de Escolas Gândara Mar (Portugal); General Education School No.101, Astana (Kazakhstan); and Keban Multi-Program Anatolian High School (Türkiye).   South Asia: A/Kagama Tract 09 Secondary School (Sri Lanka); Motithang Higher Secondary School, Thimphu (Bhutan); and Shree Saraswati Secondary School (Nepal).   East Asia & Pacific: Garuda Baturotok Secondary School (Indonesia); Votualevu College (Fiji); and YK Pao School (China).   The winners will be announced at the Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony on 12 January 2027, during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.   Through its winners, the Zayed Sustainability Prize has positively impacted more than 411 million lives worldwide, expanding access to healthcare, nutritious food, reliable energy and safe water while supporting stronger and more resilient communities.  Read More 21 July 2026 Zayed Sustainability Prize’s Beyond2020 Initiative Strengthens Healthcare Resilience for Over 200,000 People in India Six solar-powered health facilities continue to improve reliable healthcare delivery across rural Karnataka Abu Dhabi, UAE – 20 July 2026:  Beyond2020, the flagship initiative launched by the Zayed Sustainability Prize, the UAE’s pioneering award for innovative solutions to global challenges, today announced the deployment of solar-powered health centres across India that improve access to reliable healthcare services for more than 200,000 people.   Completed in Karnataka, southwestern India, the deployment includes six solar-powered health facilities equipped with energy-efficient medical technologies. The facilities have strengthened healthcare resilience in remote communities with limited access to electricity, enabling patients to receive essential healthcare services closer to home, without the need to travel long distances to larger cities.   The Beyond2020 deployment in India was carried out by SELCO Foundation, the 2018 Zayed Sustainability Prize winner and an India-based nonprofit organisation that uses sustainable energy as a catalyst to support poverty alleviation and environmental sustainability.   H.E. Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, UAE Minister of Health and Prevention, said: “Through Beyond2020, the UAE continues to champion solutions that improve lives, strengthen resilience and advance global cooperation. The sustained impact of this deployment in India reflects our shared commitment to advancing sustainable development and expanding equitable access to essential healthcare services. Guided by Sheikh Zayed’s legacy of compassion and action, we remain dedicated to supporting communities and forging partnerships that deliver meaningful, lasting impact.”   Reflecting on the partnership’s impact, Dr. Harish Hande, CEO, SELCO Foundation, said: “Energy is a catalyst for better healthcare. By redesigning health facilities through solar innovation, we can make care both accessible and aspirational, bringing quality services to even the most remote communities. Our broader goal is to expand this model nationwide so that sustainable energy continues to drive improved health outcomes for those who need it most.”   India has over 30,000 primary health centres and 150,000 sub-centres, many located in remote areas. In these regions, access to healthcare is often limited by infrastructure challenges, resulting in longer travel distances and higher out-of-pocket expenses. States like Karnataka, for example, experience healthcare costs above the national average. Additionally, energy access is often unreliable, impacting the operation of essential medical equipment and services like vaccine storage and diagnostics. These challenges highlight the need for sustainable energy solutions to improve healthcare delivery in hard-to-reach communities.   The solar-powered health facilities are equipped with solar photovoltaic systems capable of generating between two and 15 kilowatts of power under peak sunlight conditions. These installations are supported by off-grid solutions and lithium-ion battery banks that can store enough energy to provide 1.5 to two days of power.   These facilities also include a range of energy-efficient medical technologies that support quality care. They improve neonatal and maternal care with portable baby warmers, phototherapy units, and essential devices like foetal monitors and assisted ventilation. An immunisation carrier ensures temperature-controlled vaccine delivery. Digital diagnostics, such as stethoscopes and spirometers, enhance the management of non-communicable diseases, while tele-dermatology, digital microscopes, telemedicine units, and other portable health devices facilitate remote diagnostics.   As part of the deployment, SELCO Foundation also collaborated with the Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement, an NGO focused on rural healthcare access, to deploy a mobile health clinic. The clinic continues to help extend healthcare services to remote communities and support the long-term impact of the initiative.   Beyond2020 brings together a leading number of partners, which include Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, BNP Paribas, Mubadala Energy, Masdar and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank.   To date, Beyond2020 has rolled out 19 deployments across energy, health, water and food-related solutions, transforming the lives of more than 429,800 people in Nepal, Tanzania, Uganda, Jordan, Egypt, Cambodia, Madagascar, Indonesia, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Rwanda, Peru, Lebanon, Sudan, Ethiopia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Costa Rica and India. Colombia has been identified as the location for the initiative’s 20th deployment. Read More 13 July 2026 Zayed Sustainability Prize Closes 2027 Submissions with Strong Global Participation Over 10,000 entries from 177 countries mark the highest participation in the Prize’s history Submissions increased 32% year-on-year, reflecting sustained local led momentum for scalable global impact Through 139 winners, the Prize has positively impacted more than 411 million lives worldwide Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 13 July 2026 – The Zayed Sustainability Prize, the UAE’s pioneering award for innovative solutions to global challenges, has officially closed submissions for its 2027 awards cycle, receiving an unprecedented 10,233 entries from 177 countries across its six categories of Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action and Global High Schools. Now in its 18th year, the Prize continues to attract a diverse and growing pool of small and medium-sized enterprises, nonprofit organisations and high schools developing solutions that improve lives, particularly in vulnerable and underserved communities. This year’s submissions point to a growing emphasis on resilience, adaptability and systems-level impact. Across regions, applicants are addressing complex global challenges through practical, community-focused solutions. From AI-enabled healthcare and agricultural technologies to decentralised energy, improved groundwater access, and circular economy approaches, applicants are developing solutions that expand access to essential services and foster more inclusive progress. Submissions increased by 32% compared to the previous cycle, underscoring sustained global momentum for scalable, locally led innovation. H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Director-General of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, said: “This historic level of participation reflects the growing global demand for practical solutions that build resilience, strengthen essential systems and deliver lasting impact. This year’s applicants have shown how AI, adaptability, innovation and local leadership can come together to address urgent challenges in communities where access, affordability and reliability remain limited. Guided by the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Prize will continue to support pioneers whose solutions are practical in purpose, grounded in service, and measured by the positive difference they make in people’s lives.” Over two-thirds of submissions originated from developing and emerging economies, with particularly strong participation from Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Kenya and the UAE. Developed markets, including the USA and UK, also showed robust engagement, highlighting the Prize’s expanding reach across diverse innovation ecosystems. The Climate Action category received the highest number of submissions (2,505), followed by Food (2,261), Health (1,807), Global High Schools (1,710), Energy (994), and Water (956). Across categories, key trends emerged: Health: Solutions focused on expanding access to care in underserved and fragile settings, with strong representation from AI-enabled diagnostics, low-cost medical devices, healthcare delivery models and health financing solutions that support stronger and more responsive health systems. Food: Strong emphasis on farmer-facing solutions, including farmer support and advisory services, agricultural technologies, food safety technologies, food processing, and value chain improvements that contribute to more resilient and efficient food systems. Energy: Solutions focused on energy efficiency and storage, decentralised renewable energy, smart grids and productive-use energy applications, reflecting increased focus on affordability, reliability and demand-side energy management. Water: Innovations focused on groundwater access and monitoring, wastewater treatment and reuse, desalination, water quality management and efficient water use, supporting improved access and conservation in water-stressed communities. Climate Action: Strong focus on adaptation and community resilience, alongside circular economy models, waste reduction, nature-based solutions, natural resource conservation and mitigation approaches that respond to immediate climate pressures. Global High Schools: Student-led projects increasingly focused on nexus solutions, spanning renewable energy, water filtration, waste management, food production, biodiversity and community awareness initiatives, demonstrating how young people are applying systems thinking to local challenges. Following the close of submissions, the Prize enters its evaluation phase. All entries will undergo an independent review and due diligence process, followed by assessment from a Selection Committee of international experts. Final winners will be selected by the Jury in September 2026. Winners will be announced at the Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony on 12 January 2027. Each organisational category winner will receive US $1 million, while six high schools—representing global regions—will each receive US $150,000 to implement or expand their projects. Each organisational finalist will receive US $150,000, while each high school finalist will receive US $25,000. To date, through its 139 winners, the Prize has positively impacted more than 411 million lives worldwide, reinforcing its role as a leading platform for advancing inclusive and sustainable development. Read More 26 January 2026 Zayed Sustainability Prize Opens Global Call for Submissions for 2027 Cycle With an increased prize fund of US $7.2 million, the Zayed Sustainability Prize supports enterprises, nonprofit organisations and schools delivering transformative solutions. Entries are now open, with applicants invited to submit innovative, scalable sustainability solutions. Now in its 18th year, the Prize has positively impacted over 400 million people by expanding access to clean energy, water, food, healthcare and improving nature resilience. Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 26 January 2026: The Zayed Sustainability Prize, an affiliate of Erth Zayed Philanthropies and the UAE’s pioneering global award for sustainability and humanitarian innovation, has opened submissions for its 2027 cycle.     The Prize carries forward the vision and legacy of the UAE’s founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, by supporting those advancing a more inclusive and sustainable world.   Now in its 18th year and with a total of US $7.2 million in funds, the Prize invites small and medium enterprises, nonprofit organisations, and high schools to submit innovative solutions across six categories: Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action, and Global High Schools.   Commenting on the launch of the 2027 submissions cycle, H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Director General of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, said: “Guided by Sheikh Zayed’s humanitarian values, the Zayed Sustainability Prize reflects the UAE’s commitment to advancing solutions that deliver real, measurable impact. By championing innovation in all its forms — from community-led approaches to cutting-edge technologies such as AI — the Prize supports solutions that improve lives and reach the most vulnerable”.   Over nearly two decades, the Prize has improved the lives of more than 400 million people worldwide, supporting projects that deliver real and lasting benefits, from expanding access to renewable energy and affordable healthcare, to increasing food and water security and strengthening resilience in vulnerable regions.   Submissions should clearly demonstrate proven results and meet the Prize’s evaluation criteria of impact, innovation, and inspiration. Entries are accepted in seven languages, including Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish, ensuring broad accessibility and global participation.   Winners in each of the five organisational categories receive US $1 million, while Global High Schools winners will receive US $150,000 to implement or expand student-led projects in their communities.   Beginning with the 2026 cycle, the Zayed Sustainability Prize introduced an enhanced funding model that recognises the proven impact of solutions reaching the final evaluation stage. Under this approach, all finalists receive financial support, enabling more high‑impact innovations to advance and expand their reach. The Prize now commits US $1.3 million to finalists: US $100,000 for each organisation across the Health, Food, Energy, Water and Climate Action categories, and US $25,000 for each school in the Global High Schools category.   All entries undergo a rigorous three-stage evaluation process. First, each submission is reviewed through a comprehensive due-diligence step to ensure it meets the Prize’s core criteria of Impact, Innovation and Inspiration. This is followed by detailed assessments conducted by the Selection Committee, comprising category-specific panels of independent international experts. From their shortlist, finalists are identified and shared with the Prize Jury, who unanimously elect the winners across all six categories.   The closing date for applications is 22 June 2026.   Winners of the Zayed Sustainability Prize will be announced during the 2027 Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony.   For more details, please visit www.ZayedSustainabilityPrize.com. Read More 13 January 2026 Zayed Sustainability Prize Honours Global Pioneers Advancing Progress US$5.9M awarded to 11 organisations and high schools from the UAE, Brazil, Canada, Nepal, Switzerland, Uganda and across six sustainability categories From AI-enabled diagnostics to Cooling-as-a-Service, this year’s winners deliver locally adapted innovations that empower millions In 18 years, the Prize has scaled solutions reaching more than 411 million people globally Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 13 January 2026: The Zayed Sustainability Prize, the UAE’s pioneering award for innovative solutions to global challenges, today announced the cohort of 2026 winners, celebrating 18 years of empowering communities and driving inclusive, sustainable progress around the world.   In a ceremony held during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) and attended by Heads of State, Ministers, and business leaders, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, President of the UAE, awarded the winners for their outstanding contributions to advancing sustainable development worldwide.   H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said: “The UAE remains firmly committed to supporting efforts that enhance people’s well-being and strengthen the foundations of stability and progress around the world. The Zayed Sustainability Prize continues to encourage practical solutions that uplift communities and expand opportunity through innovation and cooperation. Through this enduring platform, we honour the legacy of Sheikh Zayed, whose vision of compassion, unity, and shared prosperity continues to shape a better future for all.”   H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Director General of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, praised the winners for advancing scalable innovations that deliver tangible social and environmental benefits.   H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber said: “This year’s winners demonstrate how practical, real-world solutions can transform lives — from strengthening health and food systems to expanding access to clean energy and water. The UAE has long believed in connecting capability with need, and in building bridges across sectors and regions to deliver lasting, measurable impact. It is a conviction rooted in inclusive progress, and through the Zayed Sustainability Prize, this vision is translated into action by supporting innovations that put people first and open new pathways for growth.”   Since its establishment in 2008, the Prize has become a catalyst for impact, rewarding small and medium-sized enterprises, nonprofit organisations, and high schools that are addressing critical challenges across the six categories of Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action, and Global High Schools. Through its 128 winners, the Prize has impacted over 411 million lives.   This cycle, a record 7,761 submissions were received from 173 countries, reviewed through a rigorous, multi-stage evaluation process by technical experts, the Selection Committee, and a distinguished Jury chaired by H.E. Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, former President of Iceland.   H.E. Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson said: “The 2026 winners reflect a growing maturity in sustainability innovation — where technology, local knowledge, and execution come together. These solutions are designed to work in real-world conditions and to grow responsibly over time. They offer clear examples of how practical ingenuity, informed by experience, can strengthen access to essential services and improve everyday lives. As these approaches continue to expand, they point the way toward a more inclusive and effective path for sustainable development in the years ahead.”   In the Health category, Jade, an SME from the UAE, was honoured for reimagining neurodevelopmental screening through AI and play. Its gamified platform, combining cognitive assessments, eye-tracking, and personalised learning, is now used in over 450 institutions across 179 countries. By reducing diagnostic wait times and improving engagement, Jade has already supported more than 180,000 children worldwide and is setting a new benchmark for inclusive early intervention.   The Food category award went to N&E Innovations of Singapore, recognised for its breakthrough biodegradable antimicrobial packaging and coatings that extend food shelf life while tackling waste at its source. Made from upcycled food waste and plant-based ingredients, the company’s patented technology delivers 99.9% antimicrobial effectiveness, achieving bacterial counts 4.5 times lower than conventional materials. Food-safe, compostable, and circular by design, more than 400,000 sustainable packs have already reached consumers.   In the Energy category, Switzerland’s BASE Foundation was recognised for transforming how communities access sustainable cooling. Its Cooling-as-a-Service model eliminates upfront costs and makes low-carbon cooling both efficient and affordable. Operating in 68 countries, BASE has created 2,500 jobs, while its model saves 130 GWh of electricity and prevents 81,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per year, demonstrating how market-based innovation can scale environmental impact.   The Water category recognised Stattus4, an SME from Brazil, whose AI- and IoT-enabled technology helps utilities detect and fix leaks with unprecedented speed and precision. Monitoring more than 5,000 kilometres of distribution networks and identifying over 22,000 potential leak points, Stattus4 saves around 5.56 billion litres of water every day, strengthening water security for over four million people and transforming the efficiency of urban water systems.   In the Climate Action category, Build up Nepal, a nonprofit organisation from Nepal, was celebrated for reinventing brickmaking as a tool for climate resilience and economic empowerment. To date, the organisation has produced over 3.3 million earthquake-resistant eco-bricks and supported the construction of more than 12,000 resilient homes, creating nearly 2,000 green jobs, housing 58,000 people, and avoiding 110,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions in the process.   Finally, the Zayed Sustainability Prize continues to empower the next generation of sustainability leaders through its Global High Schools category, enabling youth to turn local challenges into practical solutions that benefit their communities. Each year, six high schools representing the world’s regions receive up to US $150,000 to implement innovative, student-led projects that create meaningful social, economic, and environmental impact. To date, the Prize’s 56 previous Global High Schools winners have impacted the lives of over 56,599 students and 480,660 people across the globe.   The 2026 recipients of the Global High Schools awards are Mamawi Atosketan Native School (Canada), representing The Americas; Kyanja High School (Uganda), representing Sub-Saharan Africa; Al Rajaa School for the Deaf (Jordan), representing the Middle East & North Africa; Bodrum Anatolian High School (Türkiye), representing Europe & Central Asia; Faafu Atoll Education Center (Maldives), representing South Asia; and Ruamrudee International School (Thailand), representing East Asia & Pacific.   As the world accelerates its pursuit of sustainable development, the Zayed Sustainability Prize stands as a testament to the UAE’s holistic vision of progress driven by technological innovation and long-term economic growth. The Prize reflects the nation’s belief that true leadership lies in empowering others to lead, fostering collaboration among governments, enterprises, civil society, and youth to build a more prosperous and equitable world.  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.