The jury evaluated Tadeáš Fryčák’s project as the most original. “He has a great perspective, he went in depth in an interesting way, he has his own experiments, which are very valuable and bring answers to several things – such as storing carbon and water for plant growth and biodiversity,” said Michal Kravčík, a Slovak hydrologist and environmentalist.

“Winning the national round is really great because it will be the first time I will be able to attend a competition outside the Czech Republic. It is a great opportunity for me to achieve something. The competition enriched me especially in the field of English language, it was the first opportunity to present myself in English and to try it in practice,” described Tadeáš Fryčák.

A new feature this year was the awarding of the People’s Choice Award, decided by a vote on the website. The winner was Zuzana Urbanová, whose work focused on microplastics in Brno.

The final round in Stockholm will be divided into three parts. Contestants must submit a paper written in English, complete an online interview and present a poster on site. The winner will be chosen by an international jury who will evaluate the written work and the subsequent interview. The winner of the international round will win USD 15,000, a trophy and a diploma.

The Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP) is an international project that brings together high school students interested in water and sustainability. Every year, thousands of students from more than thirty countries compete for the best work that is directly or indirectly related to water. The Czech Republic has been participating in the competition since 2022, and the national round is coordinated by Platform of Vocational Excellence Water – Central Europe. The winner of the national round represents their project, school and the Czech Republic in the international round in Stockholm. There, the work is judged by a jury of international experts. The prize is presented to the winning student or team of students by the patron of the prize, Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden.