Amsterdam, 13 October 2025 – The Great Bubble Barrier is proud to announce that it has been selected as a finalist for the Zayed Sustainability Prize 2026 in the Water category.
Out of 7,761 submissions from around the world, only 33 finalists were chosen across six categories: Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action, and Global High Schools. Winners in each category will receive US $1 million to further scale their impact.
The Great Bubble Barrier joins IRIBA Water Group and Stattus4 as finalists in the Water category, recognised for their innovative work in tackling plastic pollution in waterways.
Recognition into action
“Being named a finalist for the Zayed Sustainability Prize is amazing, and I am so happy for our team to get the recognition of our mission to protect waterways from plastic pollution,” said Francis Zoet, co-founder of The Great Bubble Barrier. “Winning the prize would allow us to make our Bubble Barrier solution more accessible, expand to new regions and scale our impact. We would be so grateful to be able to advance with your help towards a more sustainable future, starting with cleaning our rivers and supporting a healthy environment for communities around the globe.”
The winners will be announced on 13 January 2026 during the Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. The Great Bubble Barrier is honoured to be recognised alongside a global group of innovators dedicated to addressing some of the world’s most pressing sustainability challenges.
About the Zayed Sustainability Prize
In the legacy of the United Arab Emirates’ founding President, Sheikh Zayed, the Zayed Sustainability Prize has celebrated and supported organisations and high schools demonstrating leadership in sustainability and humanitarianism since 2008. The Prize honours solutions in six categories: Water, Health, Food, Energy, Climate Action, and Global High Schools. Each category winner receives US $1 million to scale their impact globally.
About The Great Bubble Barrier
The Great Bubble Barrier is a Dutch social enterprise dedicated to stopping plastic pollution in rivers before it reaches the ocean. Founded in 2017, the company developed an innovative, non-invasive technology that removes plastic from waterways without disrupting ship traffic or aquatic life.
Since installing its first long-term Bubble Barrier in Amsterdam in 2019, which has captured over 1 million pieces of plastic, the company has implemented four long-term systems: three in the Netherlands (Amsterdam, Katwijk, Harlingen) and one in Vila do Conde, Portugal.
With growing global interest, The Great Bubble Barrier aims to scale its sustainable technology worldwide, helping keep rivers clean and plastic-free.
Videos, photos, illustrations, and animations can be found in the press kit.
Interviews with the collaborating partners can be requested via press@thegreatbubblebarrier.com.
