From The Earth Prize to Forbes 30 Under 30

Tomáš Čermák, Global Winner of The Earth Prize 2025, has been named to Forbes Czechia’s 30 Under 30 list for a clean water innovation, highlighting the impact of youth-led solutions.

At just 19, Tomáš Čermák, Global Winner of The Earth Prize 2025, has been named to Forbes Czechia’s 30 Under 30 list – a milestone that signals how far a student-led idea can travel when given the right support.

In 2025, Tomáš won The Earth Prize alongside his teammate Anna Podmanická, thanks to their solution called ‘PURA’ – a novel water purification system that removes antibiotic pollution and resistant bacteria from our water systems. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria, in particular, are a growing global health threat projected by the World Health Organization (WHO) to cause up to 10 million deaths annually by 2050.

Tomáš and Anna’s solution is a two-step process that combines photocatalysis with cold plasma to remove both chemical pollutants and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This dual approach has never been seen before, making it a pioneering approach to a growing problem. 

“The health risks from our environment are an inevitable result of our achievement as humans”, explains Tomáš. “We have to deal with the fact that antibiotics, which have saved millions of lives, now generate antibiotic resistance that can also end millions of lives. The pharmaceuticals we consume save us, but also pollute our water and harm our environment. The solution isn’t to go back to the cave, but to solve these problems one by one.”

Since winning the Earth Prize, Tomáš’s work has drawn international attention. Team PURA has been featured by Forbes US, Euronews, Tech.eu, and WIRED Czechia’s Game Changers in Science, as well as being referenced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in her State of the Union address (page 47) as an example of Europe’s next generation of innovators. For Tomáš, who is also an autism advocate and founder of the non-profit STEM_HUB supporting more than 6,000 aspiring scientists, the Forbes Czechia recognition marks another step in a rapidly growing journey from student innovator to global changemaker.

Tomáš shares: “Through the STEM initiatives I’ve founded, I know how game changing supporting young people is. If being selected for Forbes 30 Under 30 at 19 helps inspire more young people to innovate and make this world a better place, then that’s something I can be proud of.”

A new generation follows in 2026

Stories like Tomáš’s are exactly what the current cycle of The Earth Prize is designed to nurture. The 2026 edition has just closed registrations, marking the largest cohort in the Prize’s history, with around 6,150 students from 136 countries and territories taking part. Since 2021, The Earth Prize has now reached over 21,000 young people across 169 countries and territories, showing its growing global impact.

All teams in the 2026 cohort are now matched 1:1 with expert mentors, entering an intensive development phase to refine their ideas and prepare final submissions ahead of the 28 February project submission deadline. Winners will again be selected across seven global regions – Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Central and South America, the Middle East, and Oceania & Southeast Asia – ensuring equal visibility for solutions emerging from every part of the world.

Tomáš adds: “Young researchers and innovators are often overlooked, but a young brain brings fresh perspective and courage, and most of all, even a young person can bring about a change. When this courage and innovation of the young generation meet with the experience of the older generation, great things are born.”

The Earth Prize is the world’s largest environmental competition and ideas incubator for 13-19-year-olds, designed to empower young people to tackle environmental challenges with mentorship, learning resources, and $100,000 in annual funding. Founded in 2021 and run by The Earth Foundation, the Prize supports student-led ideas from early concept to real-world impact, selecting seven Regional Winners each year before a global public vote determines the Global Winner.

What’s next?

While the 2026 students continue developing their ideas, registrations for The Earth Prize 2027 are already open, inviting the next wave of young innovators aged 13–19 to take their first step toward turning climate concern into real-world solutions. 

In the words of Tomáš:

“I hope more young people pursue their ambitious ideas – keep going!”

Students are guided through the registration process by TEPi, The Earth Prize’s friendly virtual assistant – a smiling, waving Earth designed to support participants step by step. Visit www.theearthprize.org to register.