The Global Citizen Waislitz Awards just announced their 2026 winners, and it’s amazing to see the impact these individuals are having on their communities. The grand prize winner is Smart Israel, a Nigerian innovator who founded Smartel Agri Tech, which enables communities to grow food without soil using AI-enabled hydroponic systems. This is a game-changer for areas affected by climate change and resource conflict. With the award, Smart Israel plans to reach 5,000 more households with affordable and climate-smart food production.
The Disruptor Award went to Diana Yousef, founder of change:WATER Labs, who developed a waterless toilet called the “iThrone” that can be used in areas without access to water or sewer infrastructure. This invention has already improved sanitation for over 20,000 people, and with the award, Diana plans to scale up distribution to millions more. The People’s Choice Award winner is Oghenekevwe William Emadago, who founded Girlified, a company that turns agricultural waste into affordable sanitary pads. This innovation addresses both period poverty and plastic pollution, and with the award, Oghenekevwe aims to reach 10 million women and girls annually by 2030.
These winners are part of a larger movement to end extreme poverty, and it’s inspiring to see the creativity and determination of these individuals. The Global Citizen Waislitz Awards have been recognizing changemakers like these for 12 years, and to date, they’ve honored 35 leaders from around the world, providing over $2.65 million in support of grassroots solutions. The awards are a reminder that some of the most powerful solutions to global challenges are being created by entrepreneurs and community leaders who are closest to the problems they’re trying to solve.