Three new countries join Stockholm Junior Water Prize

Three new countries, namely, Czech Republic, Kenya and United Arab Emirates have become new members of the Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP) competition. “We welcome the new countries to the SJWP family, bringing participating countries to a record breaking 41,” said Ania Andersch, Senior Manager of SJWP. The competition is for students aged 15 to 20 who have developed school projects to solve some of the major water challenges we face today.

SIWI has organised the ceremony in Stockholm since 1997 during World Water Week. The winner is awarded with a trophy and USD 15,000, presented by the HRH Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden. An organisation for each country arranges a national Stockholm Junior Water Prize with support from SIWI.

In a statement to Trade Arabia, the national organiser of UAE, Water Alliance, said that ‘tens of thousands of students from around the world participate each year and everyone who makes it to the final is in fact already a winner, having won their national competition.’

This year, the winners from UAE will be featured on stage at the World Expo, Dubai in the Swedish Pavilion. They will be joined by Andersch and the Stockholm Water Prize Chair. Andersch added that the impact of winning SJWP even at the national level can be huge and lifechanging for the student. “We have several examples of students winning scholarships to prestigious universities or funding for their projects after participation in the competition.”

The students also become a part of an alumni network that brings them new opportunities and most importantly trusted friendships from all over the world. “Our aim is to help cultivate a generation of young innovators who care about the world’s natural resources and feel responsible for safeguarding them”, said Andersch.