The international Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP) is a competition that encourages young people's interest in water and environment issues. Beginning in 1995, the award is given annually for an outstanding water project by a young person or a small group of young people at a ceremony held during the World Water Week in Stockholm. The first two years the competition was held on a national level in Sweden. From 1997[1] onward the competition has been held in its current international format. The international Stockholm Junior Water Prize winner receives a US$15,000 scholarship and a blue crystal sculpture.
The finalists at the international Stockholm Junior Water Prize are the winners of their national contests, drawing over 10,000 entries from over 30 countries.[2] The national and international competitions are open to pre-university young people ages 15–20 who have conducted water-related projects on topics on environmental, scientific, social, or technological importance. The national competitions have helped students around the world become active in water issues.
Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden is the Patron of the Stockholm Junior Water Prize, and has been since its foundation. Stockholm International Water Institute administers the Stockholm Junior Water Prize.
Past winners are as follows.[3]
| 2024 | Christopher M. Whitfeld, Jonathan Zhao | Work in low-cost detection and filtration mechanisms for the carcinogenic PFAS chemicals.https://siwi.org/stockholm-junior-water-prize/alumni-project/pfasolve-an-integrated-framework-for-the-detection-and-filtration-of-perfluoroalkyl-substances-from-surface-water-in-the-thames-basin | In this year, 30 countries were represented at the competition, with 40 participants.[4] | ||
| 2023 | Naomi Park | Work in the concurrent removal of soluble ocean carbon dioxide and oil-in-water contaminants.https://siwi.org/stockholm-junior-water-prize/alumni-project/11445?iproject=stockholm-junior-water-prize | In this year, 38 countries were represented at the competition, with 58 participants. | ||
| 2022 | Annabelle M. Rayson | Research on how to prevent and treat harmful algae blooms.https://siwi.org/stockholm-junior-water-prize/alumni-project/plankton-wars-an-innovative-analysis-of-daphnia-genotype-biomanipulations-for-algae-bloom-prevention?iproject=stockholm-junior-water-prize | |||
| 2021 | Eshani Jha | Research on how to remove contaminants from freshwater in simple and cost efficient ways.https://siwi.org/stockholm-junior-water-prize/alumni-project/thiol-functionalized-and-manganese-dioxide-doped-biochar-for-the-removal-of-toxic-organic-and-inorganic-contaminants-from-water?iproject=stockholm-junior-water-prize | |||
| 2020 | Hiroki Matsuhashi, Takuma Miyaki | Developed a new method to increase food production and control soil runoff, using Tataki, the traditional Japanese soil solidification technology.https://siwi.org/stockholm-junior-water-prize/alumni-project/controlling-soil-runoff-and-increasing-food-production-by-the-functional-water-collection-system-using-traditional-japanese-soil-solidification-technology-ta-ta-ki?iproject=stockholm-junior-water-prize | |||
| 2019 | Macinley Butson | Developed an innovative ultraviolet sticker to accurately measure large UV exposures for solar disinfection of water.https://siwi.org/stockholm-junior-water-prize/alumni-project/the-sodis-sticker?iproject=stockholm-junior-water-prize | |||
| 2018 | Caleb Liow Jia Le, Johnny Xiao Hong Yu | Produced reduced graphene oxide from agricultural waste products, a material that can be used to purify water.https://siwi.org/stockholm-junior-water-prize/alumni-project/a-novel-eco-friendly-synthesis-of-reduced-graphene-oxide-rgo-from-durian-rind-and-sugarcane-bagasse-for-water-filters?iproject=stockholm-junior-water-prize | |||
| 2017 | Rachel Chang, Ryan Thorpe | Created a novel approach to rapidly and sensitively detect and purify water contaminated with E. coli, Shigella, Cholera, and Salmonella.https://siwi.org/latest/ryan-thorpe-rachel-chang-usa-win-2017-stockholm-junior-water-prize/ | |||
| 2016 | Sureeporn Triphetprapa, Thidarat Phianchat andKanjana Komkla | Developed water retention device that mimics the water retention of the Bromeliad plant.https://siwi.org/stockholm-junior-water-prize/alumni-project/dishwashing-detergent-how-much-is-enough-conserve-water-reduce-chemical-waste-and-save-money?iproject=stockholm-junior-water-prize | |||
| 2015 | Perry Alagappan | Invented a method that uses nanotechnology to remove electronic waste from water.https://siwi.org/stockholm-junior-water-prize/alumni-project/novel-renewable-filter-for-heavy-metal-removal?iproject=stockholm-junior-water-prize | Research experiments conducted with support from the members of the Barron Lab of Rice University, Houston, Texas. | ||
| 2014 | Hayley Todesco | Invented a method that uses sand filters to treat oil contaminated water and recover water for reuse. | |||
| 2013 | Naomi Estay and Omayra Toro | Work on how living organisms can help clean oil spills in extremely low temperatures. | |||
| 2012 | Luigi Marshall Cham, Jun Yong Nicholas Lim and Tian Ting Carrie-Anne Ng | Research on how clay can be used in a low cost method to remove and recover pollutants from wastewater. | |||
| 2011 | Alison Bick | Developed a low-cost portable method to test water quality using a mobile phone. | |||
| 2010 | Alexandre Allard and Danny Luong | Research on readily available bacteria able to degrade polystyrene and decontaminate polystyrene-contaminated water. | |||
| 2009 | Ceren Burçak Dag | Developed a high tech solution that used PVDF, a smart material with piezoelectric properties, to transfer the kinetic energy of raindrops into electrical energy. | |||
| 2008 | Joyce Chai | Developed a novel technique to quantifying the potential toxicity of silver nanoparticles to the world's water sources and the environment, and in doing so repudiating the assertion that consumer products that contain nanosilver are more reliable and less environmentally hazardous than alternatives. | |||
| 2007 | Adriana Alcántara Ruiz, Dalia Graciela Díaz Gómez and Carlos Hernández Mejía | Researched the elimination of Pb(II) from water via bio-adsorption using eggshell. | |||
| 2006 | Wang Hao, Xiao Yi and Weng Jie | Development of low-cost, ecologically friendly technology to restore a polluted urban river channel. Displayed "originality, ingenuity and tenacity" | |||
| 2005 | Pontso Moletsane, Motebele Moshodi and Sechaba Ramabenyane | Solution to minimize the need for water in small-scale irrigation. They developed a low-current electric soil humidity sensor which uses light detection to control water pipe valves and improve irrigation efficiency. | |||
| 2004 | Tsutomu Kawahira, Daisuke Sunakawa and Kaori Yamaguti | Development and application of an environmentally friendly organic fertiliser for the Miyako Island. The method is applicable to many places around the world. | |||
| 2003 | Claire Reid | Research into an innovative, practical, easily applicable technique for planting and successfully germinating seeds in water-scarce areas to improve rural and peri-urban livelihoods. | |||
| 2002 | Katherine Holt | Research that looked at how foreign species could be introduced to benefit the Chesapeake while preserving the Bay's native oyster species and meeting national environmental goals. | |||
| 2001 | Magnus Isacson, Johan Nilvebrant and Rasmus Öman | Research on the use of natural materials to remove metals in leachate from landfills. | |||
| 2000 | Ashley Mulroy | Investigation into how inefficient waste water treatment processes can lead not only to antibiotic contamination in American waterways, but also to progressive resistance among harmful bacteria to those same antibiotics that once controlled them. | |||
| 1999 | Rosa Lozano, Elisabeth Pozo and Rocío Ruiz | Research that used sea urchins, starfish and sea cucumbers to measure the effectiveness of an EU beach protection program on Spain's western Mediterranean coast. | |||
| 1998 | Robert Franke | Design of the Aquakat, a solar-powered, flow-through reactor for the treatment of industrial wastewaters. | |||
| 1997 | Stephen Tinnin | Investigation into the correlation between the reproductive rate of sea urchins and water pollution. | |||
| 1996 | Maria Bergström, Katarina Evans, Anette Gustafsson and Elin Sieurin | Proposal of the establishment of a wetland area to reduce the outflow of nutrients into the Baltic Sea, and thereby also creating a recreational park for the enjoyment of the citizens in Nyköping municipality. | |||
| 1995 | Mattias Wiggberg | Research into overfertilization and its effect on Lake Kvarnsjön in Södertälje municipality, as well as his proposed actions to mitigate the problems he found. | The local government acted on his research. |
National winners who attend the SJWP, participate in a six day program that is filled with social, cultural, and environmental activities.
One unique component of SJWP is the prize-giving ceremony. Crown Princess Victoria is in attendance, along with the Chairman of the Stockholm City Council. Participants are then introduced by their country, in alphabetical order. Participants stand on stage and fly their national flag. Speeches are given by the competition organiser, Chairman of the Stockholm City Council, and figures from the competition sponsor's Xylem Inc. There are musical intermissions.
Awards are given out in relatively quick succession. The People's Choice Award is presented by the organiser Ania Andersch, and the winner is interviewed. A video produced by the participant explaining their idea is then played. The Diploma of Excellence is handed out by the Crown Princess, and the winner is given an interview as well. Their video is also played. The ceremony closes with the announcement of the Winner of the Stockholm Junior Water Prize. This is handed out by the Crown Princess, their video is played, and then they are given a more extensive post-win reaction interview on stage. When the ceremony ends, the winners follow behind the Crown Princess and have a private conversation with her for five minutes.
The highlight of the trip for many participants is the banquet hosted at the Stockholm City Hall, the venue of the Nobel Prize dinner. The King or Queen of Sweden, or both, are in attendance, and guests are treated to a reception, three-course meal, and coffee. Musicians perform throughout the evening as well, with tributes to ABBA contrasted by thematic pieces like Ravel's Ondine. The Stockholm Water Prize Laureate gives a speech, as well as the chair of the Stockholm Water Prize Jury. Guests are expected to wear black tie or a national costume. The banquet occurs on the last night (Wednesday) of the SJWP week, although World Water Week continues until the Friday. The banquet invites leading figures involved in the organisation of the WWW, typically about 200 people.
Participants spend half a day at the headquarters of Xylem, the competition sponsors. There, they are given insights into Xylem's research into pumps and fluid dynamics, career opportunities at Xylem, and an inspirational talk from environmental activists. In 2024, Mina Guli, an ultramarathon runner from Australia who raises awareness about the water crisis, spoke to the finalists. As part of WWW, finalists are given the chance to engage in some of the events that are on offer. In 2024, finalists participated in a workshop promoting gender equality in the water sector.
One aim of SJWP is to connect the diverse international cohort together, to foster lifelong connections. Participants usually stay at the Scandic Klara Hotel in central Stockholm. There, they are provided breakfast and accommodation. In previous years, the cohort has been given city tours of Gamla stan and the Central Business District, and been allowed to visit the range of museums and monuments in the area, such as the Avicii Experience. Speed-networking sessions, a party, games, and karaoke have all been part of the program in the past. These informal sessions culminate with a visit to Skansen, where participants and those connected to the prize are hosted for a traditional meal, and tour of the museum after the SJWP ceremony.
To compete at the international SJWP, countries must submit a paper no longer than 20 pages (excluding references and a title page). They must then prepare a presentation, which is limited to 6 slides, and a video for the People's Choice Award. In Stockholm, each team will present three times on the same day, to three juries composed of hydrologists and other water experts. These presentations are strictly limited to five minutes in length. This is followed by a 10 minute Q&A.
To compete at the SJWP, participants must win the finals in their own country first. More than 40 countries have participated in the prize, which means there is much variation in how the prize is dealt with at a national level. The following table summarises the nature of these competitions. All information has been collected from national organisers directly.
| Cyprus | October | April | - | - | Presentation | Single | Water Museum of Lemesos | https://eoalemesos.org.cy/en/water-competition | ||
| Mexico | November | May | US$3000 | February | Poster | Rotating | Embassy of Sweden in Mexico | https://premiojuvenildelagua.cershi.org/ | ||
| Republic of Korea | July/Early November | Late November | US$1500-3000 | - | Varies | Rotating | Daegu Korea, Korea International Water Week | https://kjwp.org/ | ||
| Switzerland | May/End of October | End of April | Varies | Late January | Poster | Rotating | Varies, part of larger national science contest hosted at a University | https://sjf.ch/ | ||
| Türkiye | December | May | 32.500 ₺ | - | Poster | Single | Online | https://www.dsi.gov.tr/ | ||
| United Kingdom | January/Mid-May | Late May | GBP£1000 | - | Presentation | Single | Online | https://www.ciwem.org/events/awards/ | ||
| United States | US$10,000 | https://www.wef.org/membership--community/students--young-professionals/sjwp/ |