WILLEMSTAD – The student team from the Ministry of Economic Development (MEO) has won the third edition of the SustainaBUL Student Sustainability Awards. With an innovative waste management solution for the government, team members Christopher Martina, Trevor Borgschot, Anna Felida, and Raziyenno Otto outperformed eleven other competing teams. The prestigious award was presented at the University of Curaçao (UoC), where more than 175 participants gathered to showcase student-led sustainability projects. 

Rector Magnificus Stella van Rijn praised the event as a model for the future of higher education in Curaçao. Students worked in multidisciplinary teams on sustainability challenges posed by local businesses, gaining both knowledge and essential skills such as presenting and teamwork. The SustainaBUL Awards, organized by the 2030 HUB Caribbean Foundation and UoC, continue to attract more companies and visitors from across the region. 

Leading corporations including MCB, Aqualectra, Corendon, and Climate Coating designed Sustainability Challenges, with a total of 15 organizations participating. This year marked the first time MEO joined as a partner. Sector Director Zulaika Mook emphasized that policy must be backed by action and sees the team’s victory as motivation to further promote sustainability within the government. 

The winners received a trophy, a cash prize, and an exclusive masterclass with transition expert Jan Rotmans. The event concluded with a networking reception, where students, businesses, and impact-driven organizations reflected on the competition and explored potential collaborations. With its growing influence, SustainaBUL continues to establish itself as Curaçao’s leading sustainability initiative.