First Michael Philip Cracknell Environment Prize Awards Three Tunisian Ecosystem Protection Projects
The inaugural edition of the Michael Philip Cracknell Environment Prize has awarded three projects dedicated to protecting Tunisia’s ecosystems. With a total prize pool of 100,000 Tunisian dinars, the award is set to expand to African initiatives starting with its next edition, according to Essma Ben Hamida, co-founder of Enda.
Three Tunisian Initiatives Share the 100,000 Dinar Prize
Three Tunisian initiatives have shared the 100,000 dinars awarded in the first edition of the Michael Philip Cracknell Environment Prize. Launched by Enda in honor of its co-founder, who passed away on July 4, 2024, the prize aims to support projects capable of providing concrete solutions to the country’s environmental challenges.
The award ceremony took place on October 8, 2026, at the National Bardo Museum. The winners are as follows:
- First Prize (50,000 dinars): Awarded to Houssem Hamdi for Soli Green, a project led by Tounes Clean Up.
- Second Prize (30,000 dinars): Awarded to Mohamed Rammeh for Zigofiltre, in partnership with Wayout.
- Third Prize (20,000 dinars): Awarded to Firas Khelifi for Jninet El Hafsia, led by Blue Fish.
Beyond the financial reward, Enda aims to provide project leaders with the means to consolidate their initiatives and scale them up.
“The goal is to mobilize new actors, particularly young entrepreneurs and associations, around waste reduction, biodiversity protection, water preservation, and the development of renewable energies,” explained Essma Ben Hamida.
200 Applications from Across the Country
Launched on July 4, 2026, this first edition received 200 applications, of which 171 were submitted on time from all 24 governorates. After verification, 93 files underwent technical evaluation, and 33 initiatives were submitted to the jury. Ten finalists were then interviewed on September 19.
The projects reviewed illustrate the environmental priorities of initiative leaders in Tunisia. According to figures provided by Enda:
- 53% of technically evaluated projects concern waste and the circular economy.
- Nearly 30% focus on water and climate resilience.
- 12% address agriculture, soils, and biodiversity.
Startups, entrepreneurs, and individual project leaders account for 69% of the applications, highlighting the significant role of entrepreneurial initiative in this movement.
A Legacy of Transmission and Local Economic Impact
For Essma Ben Hamida, the prize also addresses the challenge of legacy and transmission. After several decades of commitment to economic and social development, Enda seeks to rely on other actors to continue the work it has initiated.
“Younger, more robust actors who still have the desire and energy to continue the fight,” she explained.
The winning project by Houssem Hamdi exemplifies this desire to align environmental goals with local economic activity. Soli Green aims to plant 12 million trees of local species by 2035, involving local populations in economic projects related to Tunisian forests.
“We have already reached 2.2 million trees,” stated Houssem Hamdi, in a declaration made in Tunisian.
The project also aims to mobilize 1,000 women and more than 5,000 volunteers. The 50,000 dinars awarded by the prize thus supports an initiative that combines ecosystem restoration, citizen participation, and local development.
A Prize Set to Cross Tunisian Borders
The most notable announcement from the ceremony concerned the next phase of the competition. Essma Ben Hamida indicated that the prize is expected to become African in scope by 2027. This expansion follows, in part, the receipt of a Malian application during this first edition, which could not be considered as the competition was then limited to Tunisian initiatives.
This evolution could open new perspectives for cooperation among entrepreneurs, associations, and environmental actors across the continent. However, it will need to be translated into concrete modalities for the next edition.
The ceremony also served as the occasion to present the Tunisian edition of the Manual for the World Citizen, in the presence of its co-authors, Roberto Savio and Giuliano Rizzi. Translated into French and Arabic, the book comprises 19 chapters dedicated to major contemporary issues. Enda plans to distribute it in youth centers, universities, and high schools to raise awareness among new generations about global challenges and their capacity for action.
By combining financial support, citizen mobilization, and knowledge transmission, Enda seeks to embed the legacy of Michael Philip Cracknell in a broader dynamic: fostering concrete environmental solutions in Tunisia and then extending this approach to the African continent.
