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.
Call for Entries 2026
Until 2 April, companies of all sizes and from all sectors, designers and students across Europe can apply with their work for the German Ecodesign Award 2026.
We are looking for future-oriented ideas and projects that are convincing from an environmental and design point of view. In addition to market-ready products and services, this also includes conceptual and student work. Design innovations are as much welcome as technical and social innovations.
Spread the word or enter the competition yourself for the highest state award for ecological design in Germany!
Further information and application at: bundespreis-ecodesign.de
Deadline: 2 April 2026
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.
6.00 pm–10.00 pm
IDZ Event
German Ecodesign Award 2024 | Vernissage
Join us to celebrate the opening of the exhibition for the jury session and discover the nominated entries for the 2025 German Ecodesign Award!
On 19 September, the Federal Ministry for the Environment, the German Environment Agency and the International Design Center Berlin invite you to this year's. On display are the nominated projects of the 2025 German Ecodesign Award, along with all other entries that were admitted to the jury session.
Please register in advance via eventbrite.
The event will take place in German.
Location: feldfünf | Fromet-und-Moses-Mendelssohn-Platz 7–8, 10969 Berlin
Start: 6 p.m. | Admission from 5.30 p.m. onwards
IDZ Event
German Ecodesign Award 2025 | Exhibition at the Metropolenhaus
From September 20 to 23, you can visit the exhibition for the jury session at the Metropolenhaus Berlin every day between 12:00 and 4:00 p.m.
The exhibition showcases all entries admitted to the jury session – including the nominees selected during the two-day evaluation. In total, around 150 submissions provide a comprehensive insight into current approaches and ideas in sustainable design.
The exhibition is presented in German. No registration is required. Admission is free of charge.
Location: feldfünf | Fromet-und-Moses-Mendelssohn-Platz 7-8 | 10969 Berlin
Opening hours: September 20 to 24 | daily from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
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
IDZ Event
German Ecodesign Award: Exhibition at NOI Techpark
The exhibition will be presented from June 20th to July 19th at the NOI Techpark Bolzano. The opening will take place on June 19th and will be celebrated as part of the annual event "Summer at NOI.
In cooperation with the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, the exhibition will be complemented by a supporting program and workshops that offer additional insights into the themes of the nominated and award-winning projects. The exhibition will conclude on July 19 with a finissage and brunch as part of the Diploma Exhibition of the Faculty of Design and Art.
Location
NOI Techpark
A.-Volta-Straße 13/A
39100 Bozen/Südtirol
Italy
Dates
June 19th to July 20th, 2025
Vernissage / Finissage
June 19th / July 19th
IDZ Event
German Ecodesign Award: Exhibition at GRASSI Museum
From May 22 to June 8, the roadshow will be presented at the GRASSI Museum in Leipzig.
As part of the Leipzig Environment Days, together with the special exhibition “FUTURES. Material and Design of Tomorrow”, we are currently planning a program with exciting lectures and discussions.
Location
Museums at GRASSI
Johannisplatz 5-11
04103 Leipzig
Date
May 22 to June 8, 2025
IDZ Event
German Ecodesign Award: Exhibition at Esche Museum
Chemnitz is the European Capital of Culture 2025, together with numerous cities and municipalities in the surrounding area. Among them is Limbach-Oberfrohna, the location of the Esche Museum and the first stop of the roadshow ‘Thinking ahead’ 2025.
The exhibition can be seen at the Esche Museum from 20 February to 23 March. At the opening on 20 February at 6 pm, there will be keynote speeches by the exhibiting projects, providing an in-depth insight into the exhibition.
Place
Esche Museum
Sachsenstraße 3
09212 Limbach-Oberfrohna
Date
20 February to 23 March
Vernissage
20 February at 6 pm
Opening hours
Tuesday to Friday: 1 to 5 pm
Saturday and Sunday: 11 am to 5 pm
