The Abu Dhabi Youth Challenge 2026 has opened applications to young people across the UAE and around the world to develop innovative solutions to water challenges and help build healthier communities where children and families can grow and thrive. The challenge aims to support young innovators in developing practical solutions to water-related challenges, providing opportunities to turn promising ideas into prototypes and development projects.
Led by the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA) in partnership with Khalifa Fund, the challenge is the youth-focused track of Anjal Z, ECA’s innovation program. It supports young people in developing innovative solutions that improve the lives of children and their families, empowering them to apply entrepreneurial thinking to develop solutions aligned with the UAE’s priorities, with the potential for wider global impact.
Since 2020, the challenge has attracted more than 800 applications and engaged over 300 young people in its bootcamps, with participants from engineering, design, technology, sustainability, business and policy backgrounds. It has also provided participants with more than 50 internship opportunities at early childhood startups, creating a direct pathway for young people to contribute to Abu Dhabi’s early childhood innovation ecosystem.
His Excellency Dr. Yousef Al Hammadi, Executive Director of Knowledge and Impact, Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, said: “Every child deserves to access water and a healthy environment. As the UAE prepares to welcome the world to Abu Dhabi for the 2026 UN Water Conference, we have a real opportunity to put young people at the heart of this conversation. This challenge gives young innovators across the UAE a chance to turn their ideas into practical solutions that can help create healthier, more sustainable communities for children and families.”
Following an application and selection process, 50 participants will be selected to take part in the 2026 challenge’s intensive three-day bootcamp in November in Abu Dhabi. Guided by mentors, early childhood experts, and sustainability specialists, participants will explore community needs, develop and test their ideas, and pitch their solutions to a panel of judges.
Participants will work across four areas:
- Healthy Communities & Families:How can we help children and families build healthy hydration habits and use water to support active lifestyles and everyday wellbeing at home, at school and in public spaces across the UAE?
- Climate & Nature:How can we protect water resources, ecosystems and biodiversity while strengthening communities’ ability to withstand and adapt to the impacts of climate change, helping create a healthy and safe environment for children and families?
- Smart Water & Sustainable Communities:How can we use emerging technologies to improve water management, reduce water waste and support conservation, creating sustainable communities where young children can grow, learn and thrive?
- Action & Impact:How can we turn promising water solutions into sustainable practices through collaboration, education, better policies and community participation to support the wellbeing of children and families?
Following the bootcamp, only up to seven teams will advance to a three-week incubation phase, where they will refine their solutions, explore opportunities to test them with potential users and apply them in real-world settings.
Finalists will pitch their solutions to a judging panel at Demo Day, at the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, co-hosted by the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Senegal in Abu Dhabi from 8-10 December, three winning teams will be chosen across the four challenge areas, with prizes of AED 20,000 for first place, AED 13,000 for second, and AED 7,000 for third.
To learn more about eligibility and apply by November 5, 2026, deadline, visit ECA website www.eca.gov.ae/anjal-z. For program inquiries, contact ADYC@eca.gov.ae .