Full Breakdown
2026 Global Citizen Waislitz Awards Spotlight Innovative Solutions to Extreme Poverty
8/23/2026, 9:10:04 PM
Core Event – Announcement of Winners (August 18, 2026)
On August 18, 2026, Global Citizen and the Waislitz Foundation announced the twelfth-year winners. The Grand Prize went to Smart Israel, Smartel Agri Tech (Nigeria). The Disruptor Award was presented to Diana Yousef, change:WATER Labs (United States). The People’s Choice Award was given to Oghenekevwe William Emadago, Girlified LTD (Nigeria). Each winner receives USD $100,000 from the program’s annual award pool of USD $300,000.
Background & Context – History and Selection Criteria
Created in 2014 through a partnership between Global Citizen and the Melbourne-based Waislitz Foundation, the awards have honored 35 changemakers from 15 countries and disbursed more than USD $2.65 million. Applicants are evaluated on global citizenship, proof of concept, disruption, scalability and adaptability.
Innovations Recognized
| Innovator | Solution | Core Challenge |
|---|---|---|
| Smart Israel (Smartel Agri Tech) | AI-enabled, solar-powered hydroponic systems that grow food without soil | Food insecurity in climate-vulnerable communities |
| Diana Yousef (change:WATER Labs) | “iThrone” waterless, sewerless toilet that evaporates waste | Lack of safe sanitation where water or sewer infrastructure is absent |
| Oghenekevwe William Emadago (Girlified) | Sanitary pads made from agricultural waste, replacing plastic-based products | Period poverty and school absenteeism for girls |
Data & Statistics – Reach and Funding
- The program distributes USD $300,000 annually, with USD $100,000 to each winner.
- Smartel has deployed over 3,000 hydroponic systems, providing sustainable food access to thousands of farmers and families.
- The Grand Prize will enable Smart Israel to extend the model to 5,000 additional households.
- change:WATER Labs reports iThrone toilets have improved safe toilet access for more than 20,000 people across Uganda, Panama and the United States.
- Girlified has produced over 2.8 million sanitary pads, reaching more than 70,000 women and girls since 2021; the People’s Choice Award will support scaling toward 10 million women and girls annually by 2030.
Official Statements & Responses
Both statements were issued in the August 18, 2026 press release.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The Global Citizen Waislitz Award continues to remind us that some of the most powerful solutions to global challenges are being created by entrepreneurs and community leaders closest to those challenges,” — Alex Waislitz OAM, Chairman and Founder, Waislitz Foundation
Future Plans – Scaling Impact
- Smart Israel will reach 5,000 more households with affordable, climate-smart food production and expand community hydroponic hubs.
- Oghenekevwe William Emadago said the People’s Choice Award will enable Girlified to serve 10 million women and girls each year by 2030, reducing period-related absenteeism and plastic waste.
These commitments show how the 2026 Global Citizen Waislitz Awards are channeling resources toward technologies that address food security, sanitation and menstrual health—key dimensions of extreme poverty.
