Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The Zayed Sustainability Prize, established in 2008, stands as a beacon of global sustainability and humanitarian initiatives. With a mission to recognize and reward innovation and inspiration in addressing pressing environmental challenges, the prize honors small and medium enterprises, non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and high schools across various categories including healthcare, food, energy, water, climate action, and high schools. 

As the world grapples with the urgency of sustainable development, the Zayed Sustainability Prize offers a platform for transformative solutions and impactful contributions towards a greener future.

With the 2024-2025 cycle underway, the prize beckons innovators and change-makers to submit their projects for consideration. Offering a total prize fund of $5.9 million, distributed among the six categories, this cycle promises to fuel initiatives that drive positive change on a global scale. 

Representatives of Uzbekistan are encouraged to participate with their projects, showcasing their commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. Applications are set to close on 23 June, it is the perfect time to get involved with the Zayed Sustainability Prize. 

In this interview, we delve into the inspiring journey of Goethe Gymnasium High School from Tajikistan, the proud winner of the Zayed Sustainability Prize in 2019. 

Firuza Karimova, a dedicated teacher at the school, shares insights into the school’s sustainability initiatives and the impact of winning the prestigious prize. Join us as we explore the transformative power of sustainability and the role of education in shaping a more sustainable future.

Could you share with us the inspiration behind your project and how winning the Zayed Sustainability Prize has impacted your community?

The inspiration behind Goethe-Gymnasium’s project was a result of both the prestige and positive mission of the Zayed Sustainability Prize itself, as well as the school’s own environmental and social commitments.

The Zayed Sustainability Prize (ZSP), originally known as the Zayed Future Energy Prize, is an annual prize that acknowledges achievements that promote impact, innovation, and inspiration in five areas: health, nutrition, energy, water, and contributions to educational institutions. Founded in 2008 the prize now encourages worldwide action to develop renewable energy solutions and has become internationally recognised for positive human impact and sustainable development, which Goethe Gymnasium high school has highly valued. 

Since 2019, Goethe Gymnasium has done fruitful work as part of its ongoing “Alternative Energy Sources: Installation of the Solar System Supply" project including:

• Developed a plan of solar systems realization in Goethe-Gymnasium
• Reconstructed the roof of the Gymnasium.
• Designed and calculated a photovoltaic power system and repaired transmission facilities and installed new power lines.
• Signed an agreement with the solar system supplier LLC Green Technology and installed a solar hybrid system with a capacity of 17.64kw to meet the school’s energy capacity.
• This project was installed over an 11-month period, reaching formal completion on January 18th, 2021.

How does your project specifically address local environmental challenges, and what positive changes have you observed within your community since its implementation?

From January 2021, Goethe-Gymnasium’s solar power project has proven remarkably efficiency. Over the last four years of operation, these measures have saved the high school more than 32,800kWh of power. 

This project has drawn in significant volunteering experience to the school, with 380 volunteers contributing to help make the project a reality between 2019 and 2024, further contributing to the community impact of these projects. the sense of community of these projects. Its successful implementation benefits the Goethe-Gymnasium’s 650 students and 70 staff members and will continue to do so for many more years. 

Can you elaborate on the collaborative efforts involved in executing your project and engaging the local community?

Collaboratively, the 380 student volunteers from grades 9-11 of the school created posters and stickers with the logo of Abu Dhabi Future Energy CO Masdar to further educated people in the local community on the proper use and implementation of solar panels. These student volunteers then went onto improve awareness of alternative energy sources through media outreach campaigns which included published articles, appearances on broadcasts and wider social media campaigns. 

Graduates of the school and participants in the project, Komilov Khurshed and Bobojonov attended the Zayed Sustainability Prize award ceremonies in 2020 and 2024, to report on their ongoing efforts to the prize organizers. While there, the participants attended exhibitions, forums and even COP28 conferences, where they networked with other groups pursuing innovative projects in the field of sustainability, and further expanded their awareness of key areas of mobility, energy, water, waste, and green buildings. Following this – Khurshed and Bobojonov became trained energy and sustainability volunteers in Taijikstan and continued to promote alternative energy to other young people in their region.  

Three vulnerable households of twenty-five members are already benefitting from Goethe Gymnasium’s project, with plans to cover a nearby seventy-two further apartments in the newar future. 

In what ways do you believe your project sets an example for other communities globally in terms of sustainability practices and environmental stewardship

Following the award and volunteering actions of students, including the generated media coverage, our students were able to increase awareness of the Zayed Sustainability Prize amongst a significant number of Tadjik citizens. 

Students from Goethe Gymnasium begun to get in contact with other schools across the region, including those based in Isfara, Khujand, and Istaravshan, amongst others, encouraging them to familiarize themselves with the procedure of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, and to craft their own initiatives for the project. 

Furthermore, the project has received sustained media attention and coverage in the years following its implementation. Solar system providers in the region such as the previously mentioned “Green Technologies” have been publishing about the Goethe-Gymnasium activities continuously on social media since 2020. This reflects the ongoing interest in these sustainability offerings amongst the regional media, as well as the schools’ ongoing efforts to make sure they all supported. 

Looking ahead, what are your future plans to sustain the momentum of your project and continue making a difference in your community?

Goethe Gymnasium is thrilled that its students were among the top ten winners of the Zayed Sustainability Prize in 2019 and plans to continue to advertise and support the Prize’s efforts in the months and years to come. Students and graduates of Goethe-Gymnasium, not just in Tajikstan but also outside of the country, have continued to disseminate ideas on stimulating global action and developing new solutions in the field of renewable energy. Graduates are encouraged to continue to speak on the positive impacts of sustainable development, particularly as they move beyond formal education.

In the near future, Goethe Gymnasium intends to continue to appeal to the organizers of the Zayed Sustainability Prize for extra grants for the installation of heated solar-power devices for the canteen, and to continue to build on the existing positive relationship.