On 23 April 2026, the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (CZU) hosted the traditional grand finale of the Campus Sustainability Challenge as part of its Earth Day celebrations. Organized by the Sustainability Office of the CZU Rectorate, the competition showcases the best student-led sustainability projects aimed at improving life on campus. Out of 43 submitted proposals, seven finalist teams advanced to the final round, where they presented their ideas to an expert jury composed of academics and sustainability professionals.
Since its launch in 2018, the Campus Sustainability Challenge has become an important platform for student initiatives focused on environmental protection, social responsibility, and the enhancement of the university environment. Previous years have seen the implementation of projects such as the CZU Freeshop, a solar pergola, insect hotels, and smart campus lighting. What all these initiatives have in common is their commitment to creating a more sustainable and pleasant environment for both studying and everyday university life.
The final round featured a diverse range of proposals addressing biodiversity conservation, natural resource protection, student well-being, and community development on campus. The programme also included the premiere of the educational video Sustainability at CZU, presenting the university’s broad range of activities related to responsible and sustainable operations.
Accessible Hygiene Wins First Place
The first prize and a financial award of CZK 25,000 went to the project Accessible Hygiene in the category Well-being, Equal Opportunities and Ethics. The project aims to remove barriers to education and promote a dignified environment for all students by installing dispensers with free environmentally friendly menstrual products in selected restrooms across the CZU campus.
The team behind the winning proposal included Yernar Myrzash, Aliaskar Rysmakhan, Aizhan Kalmurza, and Aikhanym Zhanibek from Kazakhstan, Marharyta Siumak from Ukraine, and Tomáš Chládek from the Czech Republic. The jury appreciated not only the project's social impact but also its practical potential for rapid and meaningful implementation within the university environment.
Biodiversity Project Takes Second Place
Second place and a prize of CZK 15,000 were awarded to the project Protection of the Common Swift on the Campus of the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, entered in the category Supporting Biodiversity on Campus. The project seeks to create suitable nesting conditions and provide protection for the common swift, a species that has faced a decline in natural nesting opportunities in recent decades.
The project was developed by students Stanislav Míka, Jana Svobodová, and Petr Fous, who proposed specific measures to support this protected bird species directly within the university grounds.
ReStart Workshop Promotes Repair and Sharing
Third place and a financial award of CZK 10,000 went to the project ReStart Workshop, also competing in the category Well-being, Equal Opportunities and Ethics. The initiative focuses on establishing a fully equipped student repair workshop that would help extend the lifespan of everyday items, develop practical skills, encourage community sharing, and potentially offer educational courses for the public in the future.
The project team consists of Hedvika Šebestová, Jiřina Šimáčková, Filip Galandák, and Ivo Šťáva. The proposal reflects the principles of the circular economy while simultaneously creating a space for cooperation, learning, and interaction among students.
Ideas That Go Beyond Paper
The Campus Sustainability Challenge remains popular among students not only because of the opportunity to receive financial support, but also because it enables them to actively shape the environment in which they study. The competition provides valuable experience in developing and presenting real-world projects, while successful proposals often have a strong chance of being implemented.
A good example is last year’s third-place project, Every Plate Counts, which has been operating in the university canteen since February. Its objective is to identify ways to reduce food waste and improve the management of leftover meals.
This year’s edition once again delivered not only innovative student ideas but also new inspiration for the continued development of a sustainable campus. It demonstrates that CZU students are eager to contribute to positive change and to develop solutions that benefit not only the university community but also society and the environment as a whole.