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The submission period for the second ISRAEL EARTH PRIZE opened shortly before the deadliest terror attack in Israel's history and the ensuing war. Despite the complex challenges of that period, and understanding that national and societal security is intertwined with environmental and food security, the competition proceeded as planned. Over 150 outstanding initiatives submitted, and the professional judging committee, impressed by the high quality of all submissions, selected the 5 finalists.
The 2023 prize winner was announced at an intimate, moving event on April 16th, 2024. In May 2024, the finalist entrepreneurs met with the President of Israel. The President was impressed by the initiatives and the determination and creativity of the entrepreneurs to act for the environment and the future
The Finalists 2023
Taken+
A project that transforms advertising billboards from media industry waste into stylish bags and wallets. This initiative, joined by leading Israeli companies and organizations, creates a circular economy that reduces waste and turns it into a personal gift with a story and meaning for company employees.
FireWave
A technological development enabling early detection and rapid response to forest fires, a significant and urgent environmental challenge today. The system is based on sensors installed in forests that can identify the unique acoustic signature of forest fires using a neural network model. In case of detection, the system alerts in real-time, allowing a quick response and significantly reducing forest fire damage.
Building the Future Generation of Environmental Rehabilitation and Nature Conservation
It all Starts with Education. This is the concept at the heart of the project that connects students during their formal high school studies with leading projects and companies in the environmental impact arena. Students are exposed to the cutting edge of environmental efforts in Israel and turn the knowledge they acquire into applied final projects in biology and environmental studies, aiming to connect students to the field from a young age.
“Hazit Haba’it” (Home Front)
Born in the wake of the October 2022 attack and evacuation of families from the Gaza Envelope and the Galilee, this project allows displaced families to equip themselves with everything needed for a home - from a sofa to a spoon - through reusing items. What began as an equipment warehouse became a massive hangar where anyone in need can receive free household items, and along the way, it transformed into an educational center where people, students, and companies come to learn about sustainability. The Home Front project won a special recognition award of 50,000 NIS.
The Winner
“Haverim Le’refuah” (Friends for Health)
The 1 million NIS prize was awarded in 2024 to the "Friends for Health" project, born from the realization that over 500 million NIS worth of unexpired and usable medications are discarded into the trash or sewage annually, when they could serve many patients and save lives. "Friends for Health" is the only project in Israel with the means to transfer these medications to patients in need, free of charge. Each month, around 7,000 patients receive medications through the organization, and unsuitable medications are disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner to prevent contamination of soil or drinking water. During the October 2022 crisis, the project proved its deep commitment to providing aid, delivering over 1 million emergency medical items worth over 1 million NIS to civilians and soldiers in need of urgent treatment or medication, including 10 tons of essential medical supplies and medications sent to soldiers on the front lines, besieged residents in the south, and those forced to flee without their vital medications.
The Finalists 2022
The song of the weeds
A project that aims to measure, regulate and sell the environmental value the renewing farmers are creating for companies that wish to balance the Greenhouse gas emissions on their activity and support dozens of farmers, as well as Israeli soil conservation both financially and environmentally.
THEMO
Is promoting the expansion and optimization of marine monitoring in order to gather answers regarding the warming of the Mediterranean Sea, alterations in the chemical composition of the water and the frequency of internal waves that constitute a biological pump.
City meets Stream
A project dedicated to the transformation of Nahal Hagaton from an urban nuisance as it is today into a public asset for the city of Nahariya and the entire State of Israel.
Carbon Blue
A company that develops technology for the capture of carbon dioxide from the environment aimed at mitigating climate change, protecting and restoring marine ecosystems.
The Sea Trail
A project that turns the trail, which is about 240 km long and stretches along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, into an attractive, social and accessible trail, which contributes to recreational and sports activities, preserves natural and environmental values, and creates a connection between the people, the homeland and heritage.
The Winner
Venatata
An organization that turns the city-forest vision in Israel into a reality by making the cities in Israel greener, shady and benevolent. The organisation submitted the "project of the century" to the ISRAEL EARTH PRIZE, which is the establishment of 100 therapeutic gardens in 100 rehabilitation institutions in Israel, which care for the elderly, Holocaust survivors, victims of sexual assault, people with battle shock, people with disabilities, youth at risk, mentally challenged and others.