Record Prize Submissions
Zayed Sustainability Prize Closes 2027 Submissions with Record Global Participation, Up 32%
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The Zayed Sustainability Prize has closed its 2027 awards cycle with a record 10,233 submissions from 177 countries — the highest participation in the prize's 18-year history. Financial Post reported that entries jumped 32% compared to the previous cycle, signaling a sharp rise in global interest in scalable sustainability solutions.
More than two-thirds of submissions came from developing and emerging economies. Top contributing countries included Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Kenya, and the UAE, according to The Province.
Climate Action Leads All Six Prize Categories
The Climate Action category drew the most submissions, with 2,505 entries. Food came second with 2,261 entries, followed by Health at 1,807. The Global High Schools category received 1,710 submissions, while Energy logged 994 and Water 956, according to Leader-Post.
The prize is open to small and medium-sized enterprises, nonprofit organizations, and high schools. Entrants must offer solutions that address real-world sustainability challenges and can scale to improve lives in underserved communities.
Developing Nations Drive the Surge in Entries
Over two-thirds of this cycle's entries came from developing and emerging economies. That marks a key shift in who is shaping the global sustainability conversation. Countries like Bangladesh and Kenya led participation from their regions, according to Chatham Daily News.
The strong showing from lower-income nations suggests locally led innovation is gaining momentum. These are not multinational corporations. They are grassroots groups and school students building real solutions for their own communities.
Jury to Announce 2027 Winners in September
The prize now enters its evaluation phase. An independent jury will review all 10,233 submissions and announce the 2027 winners in September, according to Stratford Beacon Herald.
The Zayed Sustainability Prize was founded in the UAE and named after the country's founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Now in its 18th year, the prize has grown into one of the world's most recognized awards for grassroots sustainability innovation.
32% Jump Reflects Growing Appetite for Innovation Awards
The 32% increase in submissions from one cycle to the next is not a small bump. It means thousands more organizations decided their work was worth putting forward. That growth points to rising awareness of the prize — and rising urgency around climate, food, water, and health challenges globally.
Pincher Creek Echo noted that the prize targets solutions that are practical and scalable. Winners do not just receive recognition — they gain a platform to expand their impact. That combination appears to be attracting more entrants each cycle.
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