The International Project Management Association presented the award to the UAE-based organisation for its exemplary integration of sustainability principles across the project lifecycle. The Donate Your Own Device Initiative collects used electronics in the United Arab Emirates, refurbishes functional units for distribution to students in need internationally and arranges responsible recycling for those beyond repair. This dual focus on digital inclusion and environmental protection distinguished the entry from other global submissions. According to IPMA materials the award evaluates how projects deliver lasting value while embedding environmental social and governance considerations at every stage.
IPMA data shows three finalists competed for the sustainability prize with the UAE project prevailing over Croatia’s Drava LIFE river management scheme and Malaysia’s COMM@Love in Transit effort by Universiti Sains Malaysia. The announcement came at the gala closing the 35th IPMA World Congress which featured 18 finalists from 15 countries across multiple categories. The event in Hiroshima brought together professionals to highlight excellence in project delivery with a strong emphasis on sustainable outcomes this year.
The Digital School functions as a key initiative under the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives and maintains a track record of cross-border educational support. A separate Emirates News Agency report from June 2026 detailed how the organisation reached more than 11,000 students in Jordan while training over 800 teachers and administrators in digital methods. That phase also enhanced school infrastructure with devices and established a joint working group to guide future collaboration with the Jordanian Ministry of Education.
The organisation partnered with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority earlier in 2026 to launch a Project Management Academy targeting 10,000 youths from underprivileged communities worldwide using IPMA methodologies according to an IPMA announcement. The academy provides foundational training positioned as the first global entry-level pathway of its type. This initiative complements the award-winning device donation project by equipping participants with skills for sustainable development work.
IPMA’s sustainable project management certification framework which informs the award criteria stresses alignment with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through responsible resource use and community impact a review of association documentation confirms. The recognition adds to growing attention on such approaches within the project management field which now spans more than 70 member countries. Judges assessed entries on their ability to balance immediate deliverables with long-term societal and ecological benefits.
Emirates News Agency coverage of the win noted that the project has already distributed thousands of refurbished devices while diverting substantial electronic waste from landfills. The Digital School plans to scale the model based on outcomes observed since its launch several years ago. Additional phases will incorporate feedback from recipient communities to refine both the refurbishment process and the educational support provided alongside each device. The win positions the UAE initiative as a benchmark for sustainable project management practices worldwide according to IPMA assessments.
