Monday 25 / May / 2026
Muscat: Aligned with Oman Sustainability Week (OSW), the Environment Society of Oman (ESO) are pleased to announce the renewed support and commitment by Veolia Oman of the Namat School Competition and Capacity-Building Programme until 2028.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on the 18th of May at Veolia’s booth during the Oman Sustainability Week, reinforcing the long-term commitment of both organizations towards empowering youth, strengthening local environmental expertise, and advancing environmental education and community engagement in support of Oman Vision 2040.
The Namat School Competition is one of ESO’s leading environmental education initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable practices within schools across the Sultanate and the surrounding communities. The competition encourages government schools to form dedicated teams comprising
students, school staff, and members of the parent council to design and implement impactful environmental projects. The program is implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the National Commission for Education, Culture and Science.
The Capacity Building Programme has been equipping young and aspiring Omanis with comprehensive understanding of environmental challenges and pracXcal skills training required to contribute to building a sustainable future through a structured and mulXdisciplinary approach including science communicaXon, field research, community engagement and environmental educaXon. i.e., community engagement & sustainability management, communicaXon, research & conservaXon, and educaXon & community outreach.
Suaad Al Harthi, ExecuXve Director of ESO said, “Since its inception, the Namat Competition has been growing in its reach and impact, reiteraXng its commitment to infuse environmental and sustainability awareness into young minds. On the other hand, the Capacity Building Programme has been producing young and aspiring Omanis through training, pracXcal skills and hands-on experience required to contribute to building a sustainable future. We are thankful to Veolia Oman for their
conXnued support and commitment with their generous sponsorship of these projects, underscoring a shared commitment to strengthening the naXonal capacity in environmental conservaXon and sustainability.”
Added Mr Erwan Rouxel, Chief ExecuXve Officer of Veolia Oman, “We are very pleased to renew our ongoing collaboraXon with ESO for two of their key projects; the Namat CompeXXon and Capacity
Building Programme. Veolia have been partnering with ESO for several years in supporXng their mission to address environmental challenges with innovaXon and responsibility these projects. While the Namat CompeXXon promotes environmental awareness, sustainable pracXces, and eco-innovaXon among students across Oman, the Capacity Building Programme aims at nurturing a new generaXon of Omanis, who can acXvely drive sustainable development and lead the transiXon toward a more sustainable and resilient society. This collaboration is also fully aligned with Veolia’s GreenUp strategy, reinforcing the Group’s ambition to accelerate ecological transformation.”
With the principle, “Sustainability is a lifestyle,’’ the Namat CompeXXon aims at fostering Environmental Stewardship in Omani government schools across three key pillars;
• Resource & Energy Efficiency: Prac3cal ac3ons to reduce consump3on and promote responsible use of water, energy, and materials.
• Nature-Based Solu3ons (NbS): Enhancing biodiversity and ecological resilience through school greening and ecosystem restora3on.
• Climate, Community Behaviour & Circular Economy: Driving sustainable consump3on, waste reduc3on, and community-led circular solu3ons
Since the implementation of the Namat Competition in 2019, the project has reached over 760 participating schools. The 2024/2025 edition of the competition witnessed remarkable participation
from 164 registered schools representing 10 governorates across Oman. An award ceremony was held on 18 December 2025 under the patronage of His Excellency Dr. Saif Abdullah Suleiman Al Hadabi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, as chief guest.
The award recognized seven winning schools from four governorates for their outstanding environmental achievements and innovative projects.
The competition continues to inspire students, educators, and communities through creative environmental solutions and strong community engagement. ESO remains encouraged by the dedication demonstrated by participating schools.
The Capacity Building Program is structured around ESO’s four core operaXonal pillars - Community Engagement & Sustainability Management, CommunicaXon, Research & ConservaXon, and EducaXon
& Community Outreach. ParXcipants gain a substanXal understanding of Oman’s environmental and sustainability challenges and its sustainability goals, learn pracXcal skills while discovering career opportuniXes to focus on specific areas of interest.
Looking ahead, ESO remains committed to empowering young environmental champions and strengthening sustainability awareness among future generations. Through this strategic partnership, ESO and Veolia Oman reaffirm their shared vision of fostering environmental responsibility, innovation, and sustainable development across schools and communities in Oman.
