The deadline has been extended for applications for the prestigious Zayed Sustainability Prize, an initiative of the Unite Arab Emirates that engages Africans and their global counterparts in delivering solutions for a sustainable future.

The prize coordinators say that because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, they’ll now accept entries through June 11. The categories are open for small- and medium-sized businesses, nonprofit organizations and high schools on the African continent.

Past winners for sub-Saharan Africa have included the African Leadership Academy outside Johannesburg, which uses an innovative greywater treatment system and solar power to reduce its climate impacts. The global nonprofit We Care Solar has won a Zayed Sustainability Prize for its portable solar power “suitcase” stations, used primarily in maternal and child health in Liberia, Nigeria and beyond.

The Tanzania-based Sanku has won for its nutrition work, and BBOXX has received a Zayed prize for its delivery of solar energy to some 675,000 people across the continent. The US$3 million prize is divided equally to winners across five categories; for high schools, there is a $100,000 award for a winner in Africa and the five other regions.

“As the world continues to combat Covid-19, identifying practical and effective solutions that strengthen sustainable development and empower others to do so through the Zayed Sustainability Prize remains an objective of paramount importance, in line with the humanitarian vision,” said UAE Minister of State Ahmed Al Jaber, who serves as director general for the prize.

“Given the special circumstances that various communities and nations are facing, the decision was taken to extend this year’s submission deadline.”

More information on the application process is available at this link.

Image: Zayed Sustainability Prize file