EEG hosts drawing competition and Art from Waste event

The Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) concluded the 21st Cycle of the Environmental Drawing Competition (EDC) and the 3rd Cycle of Art from Waste (AfW) Competition, with an awarding ceremony held at The Ismaili Centre Dubai, on May 22. The event brought together students, educators, dignitaries, corporate representatives, jury members and families, to celebrate the creativity and environmental awareness demonstrated by young participants from across the nation.

This year’s editions witnessed participation from schools representing all seven Emirates, including institutions supporting students of determination. A total of 611 government and private schools registered for the Environmental Drawing Competition, while 361 schools participated in the Art from Waste initiative, reflecting the growing importance of sustainability education and environmental engagement among the youth of the UAE.

The 2026 Environmental Drawing Competition featured three themes tailored to different age groups: Ages 6 – 8: Saving the Icy Homes of My Polar Friends; Ages 9 – 11: Rivers & Lakes: Lifelines of Our Planet; and Ages 12 – 14: Fast Forward – Imagine Earth in the Year 2075. Through these themes, students explored critical environmental concerns including climate change, freshwater conservation and the future of life on Earth. The submissions reflected not only artistic excellence, but also a deep sense of environmental responsibility, innovation and hope for a sustainable future. Alongside EDC, EEG also celebrated the success of the 3rd Cycle of Art from Waste — an initiative designed to encourage students to rethink waste and embrace the principles of recycling, upcycling and circular economy practices, through practical creativity.

This year’s competition challenged students to develop innovative and purposeful creations under the following themes: Group Age 9 – 11: A Three-Seater Garden Bench; Group Age 12 – 14: Solar Street Lamp: Lighting Pathways; and Group Age 15 – 17: Harnessing the Wind: Building a Windmill.

The competition showcased the ability of students to transform discarded materials into functional and artistic creations, reinforcing the message that waste can become a valuable resource when approached with creativity and environmental consciousness. Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Habiba Al Mar’ashi, Co-Founder and Chairperson of EEG, said: “Today’s gathering is far more than a celebration of artistic talent and creativity; it is a reflection of a generation that is deeply aware of its surroundings and responsibility towards protecting our planet.

Through every drawing, every innovative creation and every thoughtful idea presented, our students have demonstrated the power of art as a voice for environmental stewardship and sustainable living. Through meaningful educational platforms such as these, we aim to inspire creativity, critical thinking and a lifelong commitment towards protecting our planet and preserving its precious resources.”

She also expressed her appreciation to the Ministry of Education, Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), and Sharjah Private Education Authority for their support in encouraging participation across schools in the UAE and to The Ismaili Centre Dubai for hosting the awarding ceremony, as well as to Almarai, Dabur, Delmonte, HP and L’Oréal, for their contribution towards recognising and celebrating the achievements of the young participants. Submissions were reviewed by a distinguished panel of experts including Bahia Shehab, Senior Specialist in Student Skills Development, Counseling and Future Skills Management, Ministry of Education; Dr. Najat Makki, visual artist and Member of Dubai Cultural Council; and Pari Sagar, artist.

EEG is a professional working group established in 1991 in the UAE, focused on protecting the environment through the means of education, action programmes and community involvement. It is the first environmental NGO in the world to be ISO 14001 certified and the only organisation of its kind in the UAE with accredited status to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). It is a member of the UN Global Compact, the Global Urban Development (GUD) and the Global Investors for Sustainable Alliance (GISD). It is also a member of the One Planet Network under the programme of Sustainable Food Systems (SFS) and its Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Committee (MAC) and Global Partnership on Marine Litter (GPML). EEG is a full Member (voting) of World Packaging Organisation (WPO).

Poet and writer Gloria Adegboye notes that “art has emerged as a dynamic force in environmental activism, with artists and art organisations playing pivotal roles in raising awareness and driving change ... artists highlight pressing ecological issues, from the effects of pollution to e-waste ...” Thinking similarly, for more than two decades, EEG’s Environmental Drawing Competition has served as a pioneering educational platform that empowers students to explore environmental challenges through artistic expression. The initiative encourages young minds to think critically, creatively and compassionately about the future of the planet, while strengthening their understanding of sustainability issues.

Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer