Today, it's been announced that two teenpreneurs from Slovakia and Czechia have been named the European winners of The Earth Prize 2025 for their groundbreaking water purification technology. The duo, Tomáš Čermák, 18, from Czechia, and Anna Podmanická, 19, from Slovakia, have developed ‘PURA,’ a cutting-edge solution that uses light and plasma to remove pollutants and antibiotic-resistant bacteria from water.
PURA tackles a critical issue in global water systems - combating antibiotics, antibiotic-resistant bacteria and pollution found in wastewater released by industries such as hospitals, farms, and factories. This wastewater contributes to the rise of antibiotic resistance, as it is released into our environments and eventually contaminates even our drinking water. By combining Anna’s research on photocatalysis and Tomáš’s expertise in cold plasma (AC corona), they’ve created a unique solution that has the potential to revolutionise water purification on a global scale.
“The news was absolutely incredible! When I realised that out of all the innovative projects, PURA has been recognised as the best in Europe, it truly blew my mind. This recognition and funding enables us to bring our research projects to life, with the creation of a small-scale device being just the beginning. We’re now looking to expand our team, engage more students, and gain the support and capital needed to propel PURA into the future,” said Tomáš.
Their current prototypes are designed for household use, offering families a way to access safer drinking water. However, with support from The Earth Prize, the team is working towards scaling up the technology for use in wastewater treatment plants, where it could have an even bigger impact on tackling pollution and antibiotic resistance at its source.
The Earth Prize has been instrumental in helping young innovators like Tomáš and Anna refine their ideas and bring them closer to reality. The duo will receive $12.5K to continue developing their next-generation prototype, which promises to play a vital role in global water purification.
Peter McGarry, Founder of The Earth Foundation, which runs The Earth Prize, commented: “The 2025 winners of The Earth Prize are a true testament to the boundless creativity and passion of today's youth. Their bold solutions tackle the most urgent environmental challenges with the power to transform our world. I invite everyone to engage with these remarkable ideas, support their implementation, and be inspired to take action in their own communities. Together, we can turn these promising innovations into global environmental solutions.”
Over the coming days, six other winning teams from around the world will be announced, representing North America, Africa, Asia, Central and South America, Oceania, and Southeast Asia. Afterward, a public vote will determine the Global Winner, who will be crowned on Earth Day, April 22.
About The Earth Foundation
The Earth Foundation, based in Geneva, Switzerland, is dedicated to empowering young people to create innovative solutions to environmental challenges. The Earth Prize is the world’s largest environmental competition for young innovators, providing them with the tools, mentorship, and funding to bring their ideas to life. Since its launch, The Earth Prize has reached over 15,000 participants from 160 countries. Learn more at https://www.theearthprize.org/
