Better environmental education of young people is the key to a sustainable future.  As Part of the President’s initiative to support this goal, and to celebrate best practice in schools, CIWEM is proud to be the organiser for the UK Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP) Competition.
The UK SJWP seeks to raise young individuals’ engagement in the common water environment, on local, national and global levels. The aim is to support young students’ interest in water conservation, water protection, wastewater treatment and water resources management.  The prize is awarded to young scientists for outstanding projects aiming at improving livelihoods and ecosystem health in the water environment.

Students can compete with a practical project within the fields of technology, natural and social science, using innovative development methods and approaches.  The SJWP welcomes contributions in theoretical and applied science as well as projects aimed at solving water environment problems or improving water management in schools, communities or water basins.

The winning entrant will go on to represent the country in the SJWP international competition, which will take place during Stockholm’s annual World Water Week from 5-11th September 2010.

Every year, the SJWP international contest attracts thousands of participants from over 30 countries and in doing so brings together the world’s brightest young people to encourage their interest in water and the environment.  The competition helps students realise that they can have an active role in solving water and environmental problems for today and the future and gives students the opportunity to compete with the best of their contemporaries at a global level.  Given that the SJWP international competition is held during the World Water Week in Stockholm, students also have the opportunity to meet prominent water scientists and researchers from all over the world.

The prize of US$5,000 and a crystal sculpture in the shape of a water droplet is awarded to the international winner by SJWP’s patron, Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden.

See a short video clip about the SJWP experience
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Eligibility and Entry Criteria

The 2010 Award closes 21st April.

The student project should focus on local, regional, national or global topics of environmental, scientific, social or technological importance.  Pre-university students, ages15 to 20, may submit a project individually or in a small group of up to three students.  Participating UK students should submit their projects to CIWEM for national competition judging by April 21st 2010.  The winning UK project will be announced at an awards ceremony in May. 

Students wishing to participate should prepare a written project and a project display.  The projects will be judged on relevance, creative ability, methodology, subject knowledge, practical skills, report, and presentation.

For a full guide including project guidelines and criteria for students and schools, please click here

             See also: Frequently Asked Questions

The Prize

The United Kingdom’s national contest will select a finalist with the most outstanding project, who will be awarded an expense paid trip to Stockholm for the international contest. The international Stockholm Junior Water Prize winner receives a US $5,000 award and a prize sculpture, presented by HRH Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden. The winner will also get their ideas seen and heard around the world.

How to Enter

Schools with multiple students that are interested in the competition may complete the school interest form to receive additional information and assistance from a CIWEM representative.

Students may email their completed entry form and UK SJWP project submission to Paul Horton at paul@ciwem.org with ‘SJWP’ in the subject heading.

Previous Winners

2009 UK SJWP winner:  Andrew Dunn from York for designing and constructing an innovative domestic flood protection barrier, Flood DAM®.  After winning the national competition, Andrew went on to represent the UK at the international contest in Stockholm

2009 International SJWP winner: Ceren Burçak Dag from Turkey has won the 2009 International Stockholm Junior Water Prize. Ceren developed an innovative method for generating energy through piezoelectric pulses from falling rain drops.

Could YOU win it for the UK?

We are currently looking creative innovative young people to take part in the UK’s 2010 SJWP Competition.  Take a look at the 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 finalist catalogues where you will be able to see the projects submitted to the International SJWP by finalists from countries all around the world.  You can also view the winning projects of every international SJWP since the contest was created, in 1997 by clicking here.

Further Information

CIWEM is proud to be the national organiser of this competition because it helps young people realize that they can have an active role in solving water and environmental problems for today and the future. If your organisation is interested in becoming involved in the national SJWP competition please contact CIWEM for more information regarding sponsorship and participation.

For more information please visit:

International Organiser Stockholm International Water Institute at www.siwi.org