Zayed Sustainability Prize to accept entries for 2025 with boosted fund of $5.9 million

The Zayed Sustainability Prize, which recognises and rewards people, organisations and high schools that demonstrate exceptional efforts in promoting sustainability, is officially accepting submissions for its 2025 cycle.

Applications can be submitted in several languages through the prize’s online portal until June 23 next year.

The initiative, named in honour of UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, was launched 15 years ago.

“Since 2008, the Zayed Sustainability Prize has honoured the legacy of Sheikh Zayed by fostering inclusive sustainable and humanitarian development around the world,” said Dr Sultan Al Jaber, President of the Cop28 climate change summit that took place in Dubai this month.

“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 towards an effective response to the global stocktake decision.”

Small and medium enterprises, non-profit organisations and high schools with sustainable solutions have been invited to take part in the initiative.

There are six categories: health; food; energy; water; climate action; and global high schools.

Winners in each category will be awarded $1 million, with the prize fund having increased to from $3.6 million to $5.9 million for the 2024 cycle.

The global high schools category has been split into six regions – the Americas; Europe and Central Asia; the Middle East and North Africa; SubSaharan Africa; South Asia; and East Asia and the Pacific.

In each region, a winner will receive $150,000.

The most recent winners were recognised at Cop28, while the 2025 contingent will be announced during that year’s Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.

Applications can be submitted in several languages through the prize’s online portal until June 23 next year