Amid the devastation caused by the war in Gaza, two Palestinian sisters managed to transform tragedy into a sustainable reconstruction initiative that is now receiving international recognition. Farah Mousa, 15, and Tala Mousa, 17, were named Middle East regional winners of the Earth Prize 2026 thanks to their project “Build Hope – Palestine,” an initiative that converts debris from destroyed buildings into reusable bricks.
The sisters, originally from Gaza, developed the idea after their own home was destroyed during the recent conflict in the region. They are currently living in displacement conditions, an experience that motivated them to search for practical solutions to help rebuild communities affected by the war.
The Earth Prize, considered one of the most important youth awards focused on environmental solutions, recognized the project for its ability to combine sustainability, social innovation, and community reconstruction in one of the territories most affected by armed conflict.
In addition to the international recognition, Farah and Tala received a US$12,500 prize intended to help implement and expand the reach of their proposal within Gaza. The young innovators are also competing to become the global winners of the Earth Prize 2026, with the final result set to be announced on May 29.
The Palestinian sisters’ project “Build Hope – Palestine”: turning destruction into reconstruction materials
The project created by the Mousa sisters seeks to reuse the millions of tons of rubble accumulated after the bombings in Gaza. Their initiative consists of collecting remains of concrete and destroyed materials, crushing and sifting them, and then mixing them with locally available resources such as clay, ash, and glass powder to manufacture reusable blocks.
The mixture then goes through a molding and drying process that produces lightweight, low-cost bricks. According to the sisters, these blocks are mainly designed for non-structural applications such as gardens, pavements, and interior partitions.
One of the most remarkable aspects of the project is its practical and accessible approach. The system was specifically designed to be replicated without the need for heavy machinery or complex industrial infrastructure, relying instead on locally available tools and materials.
The teenagers believe this feature could allow other communities affected by destruction to produce their own building materials in an affordable and sustainable way.
Gaza is currently facing a severe humanitarian and infrastructure crisis. International organizations estimate that millions of tons of debris remain scattered across different parts of the territory, while thousands of families continue to live displaced after losing their homes.
A youth-led initiative focused on rebuilding hope in Gaza
Beyond its environmental component, “Build Hope – Palestine” also has a strong community and educational focus. As part of the project’s expansion, Farah and Tala plan to organize workshops to train around 100 young people in the production of reusable bricks.
Their goal is for the knowledge to spread and eventually reach more than 1,000 people across Gaza, encouraging youth participation in reconstruction and sustainability efforts.
The Earth Prize particularly highlighted the symbolic impact of the initiative, emphasizing that the sisters managed to transform the remnants of destruction into an opportunity to create practical solutions for their community.
In addition, the Mousa sisters became the first Palestinian representatives to win a regional category in the history of the award, an achievement that has been praised by international youth and environmental organizations.