Water Alliance becomes first NGO from the Arabian Peninsula to partner with the Stockholm International Water Institute

 Water Alliance, the only local non-profit organization registered in Dubai focused solely on raising awareness about the value of water, has today announced its strategic partnership with the prestigious Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI)

Water Alliance has been appointed as the 40^th National Country Organizer to the Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP) held every year for high school students around the world. The SJWP was started in 1997 by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) to complement the Stockholm Water Prize, and it is the world’s most prestigious award presented to a high school student for a water project. 

The 2nd edition of RE-NEW Our World, a Student Water Innovation Challenge organized by Water Alliance will become the gateway for high students across the UAE to enter their innovative solutions, have the chance to win the national challenge and represent the UAE at the international final of the distinguished Stockholm Junior Water Prize held in Sweden.  

The RE-NEW Challenge aims to inspire young students from the ages of 8 to 18, to ideate solutions that will tackle the global water crisis to positively contribute towards the environment and communities across the world.  Primary and Secondary school students are invited to submit an innovative product, solution, or service targeted towards any aspect of the global water crisis from water access, water pollution, to water availability.

Registrations begin from 15^th of November 2021 until 31^st of January 2022. With support of Water Alliance’s corporate and knowledge partners, participating students will have the opportunity to attend a series of eye-opening, inspiring webinars. Finalists will be mentored by industry leaders to help them submit their best possible final entries to the national judging panel. 

Winners of the RE-NEW Challenge across all age categories will be revealed at the USA Pavilion, Expo 2020, with Platinum Partner Xylem and other local and international partners on Tuesday the 22^nd of March 2022 to mark World Water Day. 

By offering local students an international voice, Water Alliance is further strengthening its platform to encourage young minds to come together and share passionate values towards saving our local and global water resources. 

Cecilia Braidy, Deputy Director of Water Alliance UAE said “We are delighted to partner with SIWI to bring the Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP) right to the doorstep of our local talent here in the UAE. Off the back of a very successful first year of the RE-NEW challenge, we’re over the moon to be partnering with SIWI, an internationally renowned organisation, to further the impact of our initiative in its second year. Our aim is to help cultivate a generation of young innovators who care about the world’s natural resources, feel responsible for safeguarding them and practice sustainable habits to preserve them – something we are committed to doing by connecting and empowering like-minded individuals to share ideas on how to better manage our precious water resources.”

The Stockholm Junior Water Price is delivered by independent national organizers, with support from SIWI. 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. The international finals are held in Stockholm in August and the international winner receives a USD 15,000 award and a trophy, which is presented by the Prize’s Patron, HRH Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden.

Ania Andersch, Senior Manager, Stockholm Junior Water Prize, SIWI said, “We are excited to have Water Alliance on board as our first and only partner from the Arabian Peninsula. Collaborations like these will continue to expand our global footprint and encourage more and more countries to take part. With the UAE in particular being such a cultural melting pot of ideas and innovation – we’re very much looking forward to welcoming the winner of the RE-NEW Challenge to our upcoming event.” 

The RE-NEW Challenge is open to both public and private school students aged 8 -18 from across the seven Emirates. To register your interest of participation to the  RE-NEW Challenge 2021-2022, kindly visit: http://www.wateralliance.org/2022-re-new-our-world-student-water-innovation-challenge/