The "Enda Arab World" foundation has announced the winners of its first "Michael Philip Krakneil" Environment Prize, launched on July 4, 2026, in memory of one of the foundation's co-founders, Michael Philip Krakneil, who passed away on July 4, 2024. The prize aims to support environmental initiatives that have moved beyond the conceptual stage to implementation and have the potential to make a tangible impact in their targeted areas.
The first prize, worth 50,000 dinars, was awarded to Hussam Hamdi for his "Sole Green" project, implemented by the "Tunis Clean Up" association. The project, launched in 2019, aims to plant 12 million trees across the country as part of an environmental and solidarity initiative to reforest areas damaged by fires, promote biodiversity, and contribute to combating climate change.
The "Sole Green" project was inspired by the devastating fires that swept through Tunisia in 2017, destroying nearly 2,000 hectares of forest in the northwest. Since its inception, the project has enabled the planting of hundreds of thousands of trees in various governorates, including Siliana, Nabeul, Jendouba, Bajah, and Zaghouan, taking into account the specific natural characteristics of each region when selecting suitable tree species.
The second prize, worth 30,000 dinars, was awarded to Mohamed Rmauh for his "Zigofilter" project, carried out in partnership with the climate technology startup "Way Out". The project aims to capture waste at water drainage openings and prevent it from entering purification networks. The third prize, worth 20,000 dinars, went to Frass Khalifi for his "Jnine El Hafsia" project, which seeks to transform the Sidi Mefrej public garden into a community garden in the heart of the old city of Tunis.
The evaluation of projects was based on several criteria, including their response to environmental challenges, innovative character, social and economic impact, feasibility, and potential for replication in other areas. The prize program goes beyond financial support, also providing accompaniment to the winning initiatives to enhance their achievements and support their development.
The "Enda Arab World" foundation plans to expand the scope of participation in future rounds to include environmental projects from other African countries. This move aims to encourage and support innovative environmental initiatives across the continent, promoting sustainable development and environmental protection.
Key points
- The "Enda Arab World" foundation awarded three Tunisian environmental initiatives a total of 100,000 dinars in prizes.
- The winning projects aim to address environmental challenges, promote sustainability, and contribute to combating climate change.
- The foundation plans to expand the scope of participation in future rounds to include environmental projects from other African countries.
