The extent to which products influence the environment and our everyday culture is determined greatly by their design. The German Ecodesign Award, which was launched in 2012 by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety and the German Environment Agency, in cooperation with the IDZ, recognises innovative products and concepts that embody high ecological and aesthetic aspirations. The overarching objective is to promote innovation and to support the market introduction and diffusion of environmentally sound products via a high-profile award. For companies and designers, the competition provides a platform for showcasing products and ideas of outstanding ecological- and design quality.
The International Design Center Berlin (IDZ), with the support of a project advisory board, has been commissioned with the development of the competition format and -implementation.
Here you can subscribe to our German Ecodesign Award newsletter.
Submissions closed
We are delighted to have received around 420 entries this year!
Many thanks to all participants for their submissions. All competition entries will shortly be assessed by experts from the German Environment Agency and the Advisory Board.
More about the evaluation process.
IDZ Event
German Ecodesign Award: Exhibition in Hamburg
The roadshow will be presented at the Design Zentrum Hamburg from 29 June to 5 July.
As part of the Hamburg Sustainability Week 2026, our exhibition will be presented at the Design Zentrum Hamburg from 29 June to 5 July. The exhibition showcases all current nominated and award-winning projects of the German Ecodesign Award, highlighting how design can contribute to resource conservation, the circular economy, digital transformation and social innovation.
The official opening will take place on 29 June at 6:00 pm. Following a welcome address by Design Zentrum Hamburg and the German Ecodesign Award team, guests will have the opportunity to explore the exhibition during a guided tour and informal reception.
Register via Eventbrite.
The event will be held in German.
Venue
Design Zentrum Hamburg (Google Maps)
Hongkongstrasse 8
20457 Hamburg, Germany
Vernissage
29 June 2026, 6:00 pm
Exhibition Dates
29 June – 5 July 2026
Opening Hours
Daily: 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Sunday, 5 July: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
6.00 pm–9.00 pm
IDZ Event
German Ecodesign Award at the Densign Zentrum Hamburg
Ecodesign in Transition: Between AI, Repair and the Circular Economy
As part of the Roadshow and in cooperation with Design Zentrum Hamburg, the German Ecodesign Award invites you to an event bringing together different perspectives on sustainable design.
As part of the Hamburg Sustainability Week 2026 he event explores current developments and challenges related to artificial intelligence, repair and the circular economy. Speakers include Dr Laura Spengler, Head of the Sustainable Consumption Structures Division at the German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt), Sebastian Daus from FixFirst, and Milan Bergheim, winner of the German Ecodesign Award 2022 in the Young Talent category.
The presentations will be followed by an opportunity for questions, exchange and discussion with the speakers and audience.
Register via Eventbrite.
The event will be held in German.
Venue
Design Zentrum Hamburg
Hongkongstrasse 8
20457 Hamburg, Germany
Date
3 July 2026, 6:00 pm
IDZ Event
German Ecodesign Award: Exhibition in Berlin
The roadshow will be presented at the Kunstgewerbemuseum (Museum of Decorative Arts) from 13 March to 25 June.
Under the title “Thinking ahead”, the Roadshow of the German Ecodesign Award presents the nominated and awarded projects that were honored in December 2025.
The official opening will take place on March 12 at 6:30 PM. Welcome remarks will be given by Director Sibylle Hoiman, Art Commissioner of the German Environment Agency Fotini Mavromati, and the Scientific Director of the International Design Center Ingrid Krauß. Afterwards, Morgan-Lee Wagner from Revoltech will give a short talk about the project “LOVR™ – Circular Hemp Material”, which will then be presented in the exhibition.
Location
Kunstgewerbemuseum (Google Maps)
Matthäikirchplatz
10785 Berlin
Date
March 13 to June 25, 2026
Vernissage
March 12, 2026 at 6:30 PM
3.00 pm–5.00 pm
IDZ Event
German Ecodesign Award: Future Furniture
Exploring Circular Design
As part of Berlin Design Week, the event at the Kunstgewerbemuseum (Museum of Decorative Arts) explores the potential of circular design. The exhibition showcases all current nominated and award-winning projects of the German Ecodesign Award and demonstrates how design can contribute to resource conservation, circular economy, digital transformation, and social innovation.
Following an introductory presentation by advisory board member Prof. Dr. Sascha Peters, practical case studies will provide concrete insights into sustainable material cycles and innovative design approaches.
Participants include Wolfgang Kriegs from the company Wilkhahn and the startup Eudemia. The furniture made from bio-fiber residues is part of the current roadshow and demonstrates how high-quality products can be created from waste materials, opening up new perspectives for resource-efficient design.
Afterwards, join us to explore the exhibition, where materials can be examined up close and the presented approaches explored in greater depth.
Registration via Eventbrite
The event will be held in German.
Location
Kunstgewerbemuseum (Google Maps)
Matthäikirchplatz
10785 Berlin
3.00 pm
IDZ Event
German Ecodesign Award: Roadshow at the Kunstgewerbemuseum (Museum of Decorative Arts)
Guided tour of the exhibition and talk
The exhibition of the German Ecodesign Award is currently on display at the Kunstgewerbemuseum (Museum of Decorative Arts). As part of the European Days of Arts and Crafts, we invite you on 12 April at 3 pm to discover the projects that were awarded and nominated in December 2025.
Alongside the exhibition, we are offering a guided tour providing deeper insights into the projects. A special highlight is a talk by Mareen Baumeister, who will present her project “FLOCK”, which is also featured in the exhibition.
Location
Kunstgewerbemuseum (Google Maps)
Matthäikirchplatz
10785 Berlin
Date & Time
12 April 2026, 3 pm
IDZ Event
German Ecodesign Award | Call for entries 2026
From 19 January to 2 April, companies, designers and students throughout Europe can apply for the German Ecodesign Award 2026.
We are looking for imaginative ideas and projects that are outstandingly designed and forward-looking. In addition to market-ready products and services, this also includes conceptual and student work. Design innovations are just as much in demand as technical and social innovations. There are no limits to creativity!
More information about the award at: bundespreis-ecodesign.de/en
IDZ Event
German Ecodesign Award 2025 | Award Ceremony
At the Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMUKN)
IDZ Event
German Ecodesign Award: Exhibition in Swabian Gmünd
The exhibition will be presented at the HfG Schwäbisch Gmünd from 31 October to 19 November.
The exhibition will be accompanied by an exciting supporting program featuring lectures by Werner Aisslinger and Daniela Bohlinger, as well as guided tours through the exhibition.
Further information about the program can be found here.
Venue
HfG Schwäbisch Gmünd, Aula
Rektor-Klaus-Straße 100
73525 Schwäbisch Gmünd
Dates
October 31 – November 19, 2025
Opening Hours
Monday to Wednesday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Thursday and Friday: until 8 p.m.
IDZ Event
German Ecodesign Award 2025 | Jury Session
On September 15 and 16, the interdisciplinary jury will evaluate the about 150 accepted entries in a two-day session at the Metropolenhaus Berlin.
Who will receive the German Ecodesign Award 2025? On September 15 and 16, a distinguished jury of nine renowned experts in design and environmental fields will decide which projects will be nominated for this year’s German Ecodesign Award – and ultimately, who will take home the highest accolade awarded by the German government for ecological design. The jury meeting will take place behind closed doors at the Metropolenhaus Berlin.
Immediately afterwards, the exhibition will open on the evening of September 19 at the same venue. The accompanying vernissage will mark the launch of a five-day showcase of innovative and sustainable design ideas. Visitors are invited to discover and be inspired by more than 150 forward-thinking projects until September 23.
IDZ Event
German Ecodesign Award: Exhibition at the ICC Berlin
From September 11 to 14, the German Ecodesign Award Roadshow featuring the 2024 nominated and award-winning submissions will be on display at the International Congress Centre (ICC) Berlin!
On September 11 and 12, the professional conference “Form / Future Berlin” will take place on-site, focusing on design as both a cultural and strategic factor in Berlin and beyond. This combination of expert programming and public events provides an ideal platform for dialogue between design, heritage conservation, and society.
Following the conference, the architecturally outstanding ICC will open its doors to the public on September 13 and 14 as part of 49H ICC – Days of the Open Monument.
Date: September 11–14, 2025
Location: ICC Berlin | Messedamm 22, 14055 Berlin
