Zayed Sustainability Prize 2026 Honors Projects from the UAE, Singapore, Switzerland, Brazil, and Nepal

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Zayed Sustainability Prize has announced the winners for 2026, recognizing organizations and schools whose innovative solutions address key global challenges in health, food, energy, water, and climate action, while simultaneously nurturing the next generation of sustainability leaders. The awards ceremony took place on 13 January in Abu Dhabi as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.

In the Health category, the UAE-based company Jade was honored for developing an AI-powered gaming platform for early detection and personalized intervention for autism, ADHD, and other developmental disorders. The solution has already benefited more than 180,000 people and is used in over 450 schools, significantly reducing diagnostic wait times and increasing engagement in learning. Jade’s founder and CEO, Ronaldo Lima Cohen Ribeiro, emphasized that the award represents “an important milestone for every child we aim to help,” with the company’s goal being to reach five million children within the next five years.

The Food category award went to Singapore’s N&E Innovations, which transforms agricultural and food waste into biodegradable and antimicrobial coatings and packaging, extending product shelf life and reducing post-harvest losses. The project has already assisted over 80,000 people, produced more than 400,000 eco-friendly packages, and processed two tons of food waste with 99.9% antimicrobial efficacy. Founder and Managing Director Didi Gan described the prize as “a victory for every woman who dares to dream big and change the world through science.”

In the Energy category, the Swiss non-profit BASE Foundation was recognized for its Cooling-as-a-Service model, which accelerates access to energy-efficient, low-carbon cooling systems without requiring significant upfront investment. The initiative benefits over 160,000 people annually, saves more than 130 GWh of electricity, and prevents 81,000 tons of CO₂ emissions, while creating 2,500 green jobs. Managing Director Daniel Magallon highlighted that the award demonstrates that financial returns and positive environmental impact can go hand in hand.

Brazil’s Stattus4 won the Water category with its AI-based sound and pressure sensors for real-time detection and elimination of water leaks through a scalable SaaS platform. The technology benefits more than four million people, saves approximately 5.56 billion liters of water daily, and reduces water losses by up to 70%. CEO and co-founder Marília Lara stressed that the award will allow reinvestment in staff and technology to continue the mission of conserving water worldwide.

In the Climate Action category, Nepal’s non-profit Build up Nepal was honored for producing low-carbon, earthquake-resistant modular eco-bricks as a sustainable alternative to coal-based construction, providing safer and more environmentally friendly housing. The organization has supported over 58,000 people, produced 3.3 million eco-bricks, and built more than 12,100 resilient homes, creating 1,900 green jobs. Co-founder Björn Söderberg noted that the prize will accelerate the adoption of this solution across South Asia and beyond.

In the global High School category, Youth Leading the Change, six schools from different regions were recognized. In North America, Mamawi Atosketan Native School in Canada was awarded for a climate-controlled hydroponic farm based on Indigenous knowledge, producing over 2,600 pounds of vegetables annually while using 70% less water. In Sub-Saharan Africa, Kyanja High School in Uganda was recognized for a circular, zero-waste system integrating a duck farm and catfish aquaculture, educating more than 300 students annually and scalable to 30 schools. In the Middle East and North Africa, Al Rajaa School for the Deaf in Jordan implemented sustainability projects including rainwater harvesting, smart farming, and waste recycling, reducing water consumption by 60% and producing 300 kg of vegetables monthly.

In Europe and Central Asia, Bodrum Anatolian High School in Turkey developed an AI- and solar-powered forest fire prevention system using drones and thermal sensors, protecting 1,200 hectares and preventing 20,000 tons of CO₂ emissions. South Asia’s winner, Faafu Atoll Education Center in the Maldives, transformed its campus into a renewable energy and water security hub with solar and wind installations powering the entire school and nearby hospital, reducing annual CO₂ emissions by over 120 tons. In East Asia and the Pacific, Ruamrudee International School in Thailand presented the Future of Good Life project, where students help rice farmers reduce methane emissions by 40% using AWD water-saving methods and low-cost sensors.

The Zayed Sustainability Prize 2026 once again highlighted the global importance of sustainable innovation and the critical role of educational and business initiatives in shaping the next generation of leaders worldwide.