Today's Edition
MUDHI ALOBTHANI (ABU DHABI)
Winners of the Zayed Sustainability Prize this year showcased how locally rooted ideas can drive global change, from climate-resilient housing and plastic alternatives to water conservation and student-led innovation.
Speaking to Aletihad, the awardees across different categories, shared a common message: Sustainability succeeds when innovation meets community needs.
Building Disaster-resilient HousesBjörn Söderberg, Social Entrepreneur and Managing Director at Build Up Nepal, whose work falls under the Climate Action category, introduced a solution that is both environmentally and socially transformative.
"We make eco-friendly bricks and build disaster-resilient houses at a really low cost for poor families," Söderberg explained. "This is a game-changing opportunity. We are at a point where we need to scale up and get bigger, and this is our chance to help thousands of families into better homes."
He highlighted that their innovation replaces a highly polluting construction industry with a cleaner, safer alternative.
"What's unique is that we've found a solution that helps the climate, is cheaper and more sustainable, and also supports humanitarian values and poor families," he said.
Reflecting on challenges, Söderberg emphasised perseverance.
"The biggest challenge has been to continue when things have been tough. It's been ten years, and we've gone through many struggles and hurdles, but we always came together to overcome them."
The impact of their work became evident after an earthquake struck Nepal two years ago.
"All the buildings built with our bricks in that area were undamaged and saved lives," he noted. "Now we're aiming to build thousands of new houses for displaced families."
As advice to young innovators, Söderberg said: "Don't wait. Take that idea or dream you have and start making it a reality. You might start small, but it can grow big."
Replacing Single-use Plastics
In the Food & Health category, Didi Gan, Founder of N&E Innovations Pte Ltd, presented the world's first antibacterial, fully compostable cling film designed to replace single-use plastics."It can kill bacteria and viruses, helping to extend the shelf life of food while reducing the amount of plastic used," Gan explained.
Winning the Zayed Sustainability Prize carried deep significance for her as a woman in deep tech.
"The prize amplifies the work we do as women founders in deep tech, showing that we are able to bring technology into the real world and onto a global stage," she said.
Scaling innovation beyond the laboratory remains the biggest hurdle.
"The main challenge is scaling up - taking a lab innovation and producing up to 40 containers of these materials to serve the world," Gan noted.
She highlighted the everyday impact of the product.
"You can replace the plastic wraps you use at home. This material is fully compostable - you wrap food with it, it kills bacteria, extends shelf life, and at the end of the day, you put it in the ground and it becomes water and carbon."
Her message to changemakers was simple and urgent: "Start now, and never think of starting tomorrow."
AI-powered Water Conservation
In the Water category, Stattus4, an SME from Brazil, was recognised for its deployment of artificial intelligence to detect leaks in water distribution systems.
"This award is more than a prize," Marília Lara, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Stattus4, said. "It's recognition that what we are doing has real impact for people."
For over a decade, the team has worked to prove that AI can protect one of the world's most vital resources.
"We built our artificial intelligence from zero, and that was a big challenge," he explained. "Ten years ago, AI was something people only saw in movies."
Convincing clients was another obstacle.
"We had to convince people that artificial intelligence could actually be used in water systems," he said.
The results speak for themselves.
"In one city in Brazil, we reduced water losses by around 60 percent," he shared. "When you save water, you make the whole system healthier and more sustainable."
Winning the prize opens new doors, particularly in water-stressed regions.
"The Middle East faces major water challenges, so this is a huge opportunity for us," he said. "The prize money allows us to hire more people, improve the technology, and expand internationally."
Student-led Environmental Education
In the Global High Schools category, Qais Ibrahim Tarawneh from Al-Raja School for the Hearing Impaired in Jordan, highlighted the power of student-led environmental education.
The school initiated practical, sustainability focused activities by installing a rainwater harvesting and greywater treatment system, a recycling unit, and hydroponic units, along with selling-home grown produce through a community e-market.
"It was an overwhelming feeling," Tarawneh said. "It meant that the Zayed Sustainability Prize believed in us, and in the ability of students to find practical solutions to real challenges, especially water scarcity and environmental education."
He emphasised the importance of giving students ownership.
"When students own the idea and the implementation, it's different - they believe in it," he explained.
The recognition, he said, goes beyond the individuals involved.
"When they return, the whole school will feel a sense of pride,"
Tarawneh added. "This is just the beginning of a long journey, and partnerships with like-minded organisations will be essential."
His advice to young people was grounded in resilience.
"Believe in yourself, stay practical, learn from mistakes, and work with people who share your values."
Community-focused Hydroponics Project
Also representing the Global High Schools – The Americas, Elias Mykat, from Mamawi Atosketan Native School, shared a community-focused hydroponics project aimed at food sustainability and education.
"Our project is about hydroponics, and we're really grateful because this will give our community a lot of opportunities," he said.
What started small is now growing with renewed support.
"We only had small towers before, but now we want a container so we can grow food all year round and teach more kids," Elias explained.
The project nearly faded before finding new life.
"It kind of got shut down because no one was interested, but our science teacher encouraged us and showed us what was possible," he said.
Being selected among thousands of applicants was a defining moment.
"Out of around 7,000 applications, we were the only one in North America chosen," Elias noted.
His message to other students reflects the spirit of the Prize.
"Try new things. I didn't even have interest in this at first - I just picked it up as an extra class, and now I'm here."
