Doha, Qatar – The Ministry of Municipality has announced the winners of the 2025 “Most Beautiful Home and School Garden” competition, continuing its initiative to promote environmental awareness and sustainable practices throughout Qatar. The competition, a key component of the ministry’s broader afforestation and greening campaigns, aims to improve quality of life for residents. Sheikha Naila bint Fahd Al Thani and Ruqaya Preparatory School were the top winners in their respective categories.
Celebrating Qatar’s Green Spaces: The Most Beautiful Home and School Garden Competition
The annual competition encourages community involvement in beautifying Qatar through horticulture and sustainable landscaping. According to the Ministry of Municipality, this year’s event saw a significant number of entries from both homeowners and schools across the country. This reflects a growing interest in gardening and environmental stewardship among Qatari citizens and residents.
Eng. Abdullah Ahmed Al Karani, Assistant Undersecretary for Public Services Affairs, emphasized the competition’s role in fostering environmental culture and promoting sustainable agriculture. The Ministry views these efforts as vital to achieving its long-term goals for a greener and more sustainable Qatar. He further stated that the competition supports the ministry’s wider directives relating to public space improvement and biodiversity.
2025 Competition Results
Sheikha Naila bint Fahd Al Thani, representing Al Dhaayen Municipality, took first place in the home garden category with a score of 86.2%. The judging criteria focused on factors such as design, plant diversity, water conservation techniques, and overall aesthetic appeal. The Ministry did not release details about the runner-up entries at this time, but indicated that information may be forthcoming.
In the school garden competition, Ruqaya Preparatory School, located within the Doha Municipality, was awarded first place, also achieving a score of 86.2%. School gardens are considered invaluable educational tools, teaching students about plant life, ecology, and the importance of environmental sustainability. These gardens also contribute to creating a more pleasant learning environment for students.
The Ministry of Municipality has been actively promoting green initiatives in recent years, aligning with Qatar National Vision 2030’s emphasis on environmental protection and sustainable development. These initiatives include large-scale tree planting campaigns, the development of public parks, and educational programs aimed at raising awareness about the importance of green spaces. Effective horticulture plays a crucial role in mitigating the effects of climate change and improving air quality within urban environments.
However, maintaining green spaces in a desert environment like Qatar presents unique challenges, including water scarcity and high temperatures. The Ministry encourages the use of drought-resistant plants and efficient irrigation systems to address these issues. The competition’s judging criteria specifically reward entrants who demonstrate innovation in water conservation.
Meanwhile, the Ministry has already announced plans for an improved version of the “Most Beautiful Home and School Garden” competition for 2026. Details regarding the new criteria and entry process are expected to be released in the coming months. This iteration is aimed at building upon the success of previous years and increasing participation across all municipalities.
The announcement of the 2026 competition signals the Ministry’s commitment to continue this popular initiative. It remains to be seen whether the 2026 edition will feature new categories or awards, but the continued focus on recognizing and promoting beautiful and sustainable gardens is likely. Interested parties should monitor the Ministry of Municipality’s website for future updates and the official launch date of the 2026 competition.
Looking ahead, the Ministry will likely analyze the feedback from the 2025 competition to refine the format and judging process for the 2026 event. The deadline for entries into the 2026 event is currently unknown, but typically falls in the spring months, allowing sufficient time for gardens to flourish before evaluation.
