ECO-HERO AWARD WINNERS
Nithya Tammana
2026: DR. MARY GRIFFIN-JONES SPECIAL AWARD
Nithya Tammana, an 11-year-old water conservation innovator, leads the global movement "Save Drop," empowering over 450 "Water Warriors" through policy advocacy, grassroots campaigns like #ServeHalfGlass and her open-source moss filter that removes up to 95% of lead from school drinking water.
Arjun Jain
2026: 3rd PLACE
Arjun Jain, a 16-year-old urban agriculturist from New Jersey, created "HydroBlossom" to build high-yield soil-less hydroponic systems, donating thousands of pounds of organic produce and influencing local food-system policy.
Alice Wanjiru
2025: 1st PLACE
Alice Wanjiru, an 11-year-old climate ambassador, has led efforts to rehabilitate Nairobi's Ruai Sewer Treatment Plant by planting over 2,000 trees, mobilizing community clean-ups, and successfully advocating for policies protecting communities from harmful emissions.
Charmante Espoire Nduwayo
2025: 2nd PLACE
Charmante Espoire Nduwayo, 15, from Bujumbura, Burundi, is saving the Gikoma River. Through tree planting and community education on sanitary waste, she's stabilized riverbanks, reduced pollution, and safeguarded her community's health and livelihoods.
Esad Çakır
2025: FINALIST
Esad Çakır, 13, from Istanbul, Turkey, created the "Ocean Literacy" project, a school-wide initiative to make ocean science accessible to students from kindergarten through middle school and inspire them to become problem-solvers for our oceans.
Mannat Kaur
2023: 3rd PLACE
India faces an acute water crisis. Learn how Mannat Kaur’s low-cost greywater system is saving thousands of liters of water daily, offering a vital solution to the nation's water crisis and promoting sustainable water management.
Rafia Saleem
2003: International Young Eco-Hero Awards
Winner of the 2003 Eco-Hero Award, Rafia Saleem has grown from a young water safety advocate into a development leader at the World Bank. Discover how she uses her expertise in finance and media—including her hit radio show "Sabz Khawab"—to champion climate action and poverty alleviation in Pakistan.