The Zayed Sustainability Prize has revealed the extension of its submissions closing date for the 2021 awards edition to June 11th, 2020, in efforts to accommodate its various global audience base during the ongoing international health crisis.

Small-to-medium sized enterprises, non-profit companies and excessive schools throughout the world can still post their entries, apply and compete through the Prizes online portal, for the UAEs pioneering international award rewarding impact, innovation, and inspiration throughout 5 sustainability categories Health, Food, Water, Energy and Global High Schools.

Commenting on the announcement, H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and Director General of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, said: As the world continues to fight Covid19, figuring out practical and advantageous solutions that give a boost to sustainable improvement and empower others to do so through the Zayed Sustainability Prize continues to be an aim of paramount importance, in line with the humanitarian vision of our Founding Father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Therefore, given the unique situations that a number of communities and nations are facing, the decision was taken to prolong this years submission deadline.

H.E. added: We have seen an encouraging quantity of entries therefore far, and we are assured that the increased timeframe will allow the worlds sustainability pioneers to encourage us with their ideas to impact positive change.

The US$3 million prize fund is divided equally between the winners of the 5 categories, with each allocated US$600,000. In the Global High Schools category, the award recognises six winners, from six world regions, with every triumphing school eligible to claim up to US$100,000 in funding.

The 2019-2020 awards cycle witnessed a record-breaking number of submissions, with 2,373 entries acquired from 129 countries, a testament to the Prizes far-reaching international success and mass attraction within the global sustainability community for more than a decade.

To date, the Prize has acknowledged and rewarded a total of 86 winners whose solutions or school projects have, directly and indirectly, changed the lives of 335 million people across the world.

Small-to-medium sized companies and non-profit businesses have to enter an existing sustainability solution with demonstrable effect in one of the Health, Food, Energy, or Water categories. On the other hand, the Global High Schools class invites student-led projects or proposals, based on one or more of those 4 sustainability themes, and gives funding to assist improve or enhance their school or local community project.