The Emirates Environmental Group has completed the 20th cycle in its national Environmental Drawing Competition. This is a milestone, as it marks the participation of 723 953 students from 642 UAE schools including those that cater to students with determination. This level of engagement is a testament to the increasing interest youth have in using creative expression to address pressing environmental issues.
The Environmental Drawing Competition, a key element of EEG’s educational outreach program, has empowered students for the past two decades to think critically about sustainable development. The Environmental Drawing Competition fosters awareness and innovation through the medium of arts.
The competition this year featured three themes that were tailored to different age groups.
- “The Power of Trees: Guardians of the Earth” – for ages 6–8 – exploring the vital role of trees in climate regulation, biodiversity, and ecosystem health.
- “Sunshine and Rainbows: Celebrating Renewable Energy” – for ages 9–11 – focusing on clean energy sources and their importance in building a sustainable future.
- “E-Waste: A Modern-Day Crisis” – for ages 12–14 – highlighting the environmental dangers of electronic waste and the need for responsible disposal and recycling.
A total of 243 projects from 1,750 students from 355 schools across the UAE were submitted for the 2nd Cycle of Art from Waste. This reflects the creativity, skills and dedication of young artists, who reimagined the use of waste as a means of artistic expression. This competition is an annual event that encourages students from all over the UAE to rethink their waste and show how they can transform it into art. This competition fosters creativity while reinforcing the importance of sustainability for a greener, more sustainable future.
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The competition 2025 featured three engaging themes, tailored to specific age groups:
1. ‘Sea Turtle’ – for students aged 9 to 11 years
2. ‘Flamingo’ – for students aged 12 to 14 years
3. ‘Oryx Leucoryx’ – for students aged 15 to 17 years
These themes were designed to emphasize the importance of our local biodiversity, and the urgent necessity to protect endangered species. Students were encouraged to consider the importance of environmental conservation, and how sustainability can be incorporated into creative expression by incorporating upcycling or waste repurposing in their artwork.
EEG held a special award ceremony to honour the winners of the competition on the 22nd May, at the Ismaili Centre in Dubai, which has been a long-time host for this competition. The event featured a captivating exhibition of the winning entries and was attended by students, educators, families, sponsors & supporters, dignitaries, and members of the press.
In her welcoming address, Habiba Al-Mar’ashi, co-founder and chairperson of EEG praised the creativeness and commitment displayed by the UAE student community:
“This competition continues the demonstration of the amazing potential of our youth. They have used their artistic abilities to communicate powerful messages of responsibility, hope and action. We are proud of our platform, which promotes meaningful engagement in the environment.”
Habiba al Mar’ashi, in her reflections on the Art from Waste Competition, emphasized its ability to challenge the perceptions of waste and foster environmental awareness among young minds. “Art is an universal language that transcends borders. “By harnessing its impact, we hope to instill in the young generation a lifetime commitment to environmental protection,” she said.
She thanked Accenture for its role in supporting the 20th Cycle of Environmental Drawing Competition. Our collaboration with Accenture further enhanced the reach and impact and we are grateful for their dedication to youth empowerment and environmental advocacy.
The submissions for both competitions were evaluated by a distinguished group of experts in education and art.
1. Dr. Najat Mahki, Visual artist, member of Dubai Cultural Council
2. Pari Sagar, Artist
3. Fatima Al Hammadi, Artist
The awarding ceremony was divided in two parts. First, the EDC awarded the winners of the 20th Cycle of Environmental Drawing Competition for their outstanding entries under each theme.
