Faafu Atoll Education Centre has won the prestigious Zayed Sustainability Award in the South Asia category of the Global High Schools segment.
The award was presented during the opening ceremony of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, held Tuesday in the United Arab Emirates. Maldives Foreign Minister Dr Abdulla Khaleel attended the event. Khaleel is originally from Nilandhoo, the island where the school is located.
The school was recognised for a student-led sustainability project that combines wind and solar energy, rainwater harvesting, water management and sustainable agriculture. The initiative aims to improve food security, protect the environment and promote public health.
According to the school, the project will help power both the Faafu Atoll Education Centre and the island’s hospital, while reducing carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 120 tonnes per year.
Congrats to Faafu Atoll Education Center for winning the Zayed Sustainability Prize Global High Schools – South Asia!Their clean energy and water project will power the school and local hospital while cutting 120 tonnes of CO₂ annually. pic.twitter.com/0uJ6gJmgO4
— Zayed Sustainability Prize (@ZSP_ORG) January 13, 2026
Students said the project was born out of the challenges they face on the small island of Nilandhoo, where access to clean drinking water and essential services is limited. They said they have personally experienced the impact of water and food shortages, and wanted to take action rather than wait for external solutions.
As part of the project, students have planted bananas and medicinal plants, and are now considering ways to share the model with other schools and islands to support similar community-led change.
The Zayed Sustainability Award was established in 2008 in honour of UAE founder Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. It recognises innovative efforts that make a positive impact on society. In 2015, Addu High School also won the award.