WILLEMSTAD – The SustainaBUL Awards 2026 marked a new phase in Curaçao’s growing sustainability movement this week, bringing together students, businesses and social partners to strengthen what organizers describe as the island’s “Green Wave.”
Held on Earth Day 2026 under the theme Our Power, Our Planet, NOS ISLA, the event took place at the auditorium of the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten and drew more than 200 attendees, filling the venue to capacity. The event focused on the role of Curaçao as a resilient Small Island State and highlighted how local innovation can connect to global sustainability networks.
The SustainaBUL Awards are organized in collaboration with the 2030 HUB Caribbean Foundation and are embedded in an accredited bachelor’s program at the University of Curaçao. Through the program, students earn academic credits while working on real-world sustainability challenges faced by the island.
Student teams presented solutions developed in partnership with major local organizations, including Aqualectra and other private and public sector partners. This year’s top recognition went to MNO Vervat for its Tafelberg Challenge, while another winning team emerged from the UoC Green Campus Challenge, supported by MCB Bank, which also contributed to the development of the university’s Impact HUB.
One of the most notable moments of the evening was the Sustainability Pledge, where students, professionals and community leaders stood together to publicly commit themselves to Curaçao’s sustainable future. Organizers described the moment as symbolic of a shared responsibility toward the island’s environmental and social resilience.
The event was officially opened by Richard Doornbosch, President of the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten, who was presented with a signed commemorative gift by the SustainaBUL Class of 2026 in recognition of the bank’s support for the initiative.
A major highlight was the participation of Eugene Rhuggenaath, who took part in an interview with students and stressed the importance of “green skills” for small island states. Rhuggenaath also outlined how the World Bank is increasingly positioning itself as a “knowledge bank” rather than only a financing institution, opening doors for collaboration with universities such as UoC.
The event also generated direct financial commitments. MCB pledged an impact seed investment of 25,000 guilders to support the further development of the UoC Impact HUB. Meanwhile, ACU committed an additional 10,000 guilders, combined with internship opportunities and plans for a joint learning program. MNO Vervat also joined the coalition as a construction partner to help turn sustainability ideas into concrete projects.
University Rector Stella van Rijn described SustainaBUL as an important driver of educational innovation and social impact, while confirming that efforts are underway to expand the program regionally and strengthen international partnerships.
Organizers say the 2026 edition of the awards shows that Curaçao’s sustainability movement is evolving beyond awareness into practical action, driven by young talent and reinforced by institutional and business partnerships.