Centre for Environment & Development for the Arab Region & Europe (CEDARE), in collaboration with the Association of Arab Universities (AArU), is pleased to announce the winners of the CEDARE Environmental Innovation Prize 2026 – First Edition. The competition attracted outstanding student-led projects from universities across the Arab region, showcasing remarkable creativity, technical excellence, and a strong commitment to advancing environmental sustainability.
First Place
Project: NaqaaSync
Presented by: Anas Yousef Mohammed Al-Ashqar
The project introduces an intelligent emergency response system for managing the solid waste accumulation crisis in the Gaza Strip. By integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), it prioritises interventions based on risk levels, enabling faster response, reducing fuel consumption, and improving decision-making during emergencies.
Second Place
Project: Replast Build
Presented by: Fathy Ayman Fathy Hagar, Mostafa Massaad Ali Abou El-Nasr, Jaber Tamer Jaber Afifi – Egypt
The project transforms plastic waste into environmentally friendly construction materials that reduce building costs, provide 30% thermal insulation, and produce durable, moisture-resistant building components, supporting the circular economy while reducing plastic pollution.
Third Place
Project: Smart Scout
Presented by: Nada Reda Abdelaty, Habiba Khaled Ali, Roweida Sayed Taha – Egypt
The project applies smart sensing and automation technologies to minimise crop losses caused by birds and pests while improving irrigation efficiency, contributing to water conservation and enhanced agricultural productivity.
Joint Third Place
Project: Transforming E-Waste into Clinical-Grade Phonocardiograms via Adaptive Signal Processing
Presented by: Hassan El-Sayed Hassan Abdel Latif, Abdullah Khalil – Egypt
The project introduces a low-cost engineering solution that repurposes discarded mobile phone microphones into a digital stethoscope capable of recording clinically accurate heart sounds. Using advanced adaptive signal processing algorithms, it provides a sustainable healthcare solution for low-resource and conflict-affected settings.
CEDARE extends its warmest congratulations to all the winners for this well-deserved achievement and commends the creativity, dedication, and innovation demonstrated through their outstanding projects. These inspiring solutions reflect the tremendous potential of young innovators across the Arab region and reaffirm that today’s ideas have the power to become tomorrow’s sustainable solutions, creating lasting positive impact for future generations.
