The South African Youth Water Prize (SAYWP) is a science and technology collaboration between the Department of Water and Sanitation and the Stockholm Water Foundation in Sweden. The competition’s objectives are to promote the protection of the country’s natural resources and increase awareness amongst young people.

The programme also exposes and advances the interest of youth in science and technology, and motivates them to pursue water and sanitation careers. It targets Gr. 9-11 learners who identify problems related to water in their school and community, conduct a research and com up with innovations recommended to solve the problems. SAYWP respond to the scarce skills challenge and it also serve as an incubator for the DWS Learning Academy.

The Department has a responsibility to follow through the learners who won the competition and also establish partnerships with stakeholders for piloting the innovations. All regional finalists get Laptop Computer and the National top three get a full sponsorship to follow a career in the water sector related field as well as a laptop computers and cash prizes.

The provincial adjudication panels elect the provincial winners who become national finalists to represent South Africa at the Stockholm Junior Water Prize competition in Sweden. Since its participation at the Stockholm Junior Water Prize South Africa has won the competition twice in 2003 and 2005.