Open Call for Participants – SEDA Sustainable Entrepreneurship Design Award, Wismar 03-05 July 2026

Are you a young designer, start-up founder or entrepreneur developing a product, service or process that combines ecological, social and economic sustainability?

We invite you to apply for the SEDA – Sustainability Entrepreneurship Design Award, celebrating innovative ideas with the power to create real change and long-term value for society and the environment.

Why Participate?

• Showcase your project on an international academic stage.
• Connect with experts in design, sustainability and business development.
• Receive funding to realise your exhibition prototype.
• Gain professional coaching to further develop your idea and business model.
• Position your project within the framework of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda.
  

SEDA recognises ideas that move beyond theory — projects that are innovative, feasible and market-oriented, with genuine potential to shape a sustainable future.

Who Can Apply?

Participation is open to enrolled students and graduates of European state or state-recognised universities whose degree was obtained no more than five years ago.

What Can Be Submitted?

Eligible submissions include:

• Physical products
• Services
• Action concepts or processes
  
  Projects should show innovation, feasibility and long-term impact potential. Submissions must demonstrate a clear connection to the 17 goals of the 2030 Agenda (SDGs) and combine ecological, social and economic sustainability.

Application Requirements

Please submit the following as a single PDF (max. 5 MB) via email to:
[email protected]

1. Applicant Details
- Contact information
- University name
- Proof of enrolment or graduation
2. Project Summary (max. 500 words)
- Project title
- Concept explanation
- Sustainability impact
- Relevance to the 17 SDGs
3. Project Presentation
- 3 pages, A3 landscape format
- Images, sketches, visualisations

Competition Jury

A specialist jury composed of designers and business experts will evaluate submissions based on:

• Level of innovation
• Feasibility
• Market potential
• Sustainability impact
  
  Up to 10 shortlisted projects will be invited to present their idea as a 1 m² exhibition stand (prototype, scheme or visualisation).

Timeline

• 30 April 2026 – Application deadline
• May 2026 – Jury preselection
• 30 June 2026 – Final exhibition submission (1 m² stand)
• 03–05 July 2026 – Exhibition in Wismar. Award Ceremony at the exhibition opening day.
  
  Prize
• All participants in the final round receive €1,000 to realise their exhibition contribution, including traveling and accommodation fees.
• The 3 finalists will also receive professional coaching for further development of the idea and the creation of a business plan.
• The winner receives additionally a €5,000 prize.
  
  Organiser

The competition is organised by the European Project Center and the Faculty of Design at Hochschule Wismar – University of Applied Sciences.

 Apply Now!

Take the next step toward transforming your sustainable idea into a scalable and impactful venture!

For questions and submissions write to:
[email protected]

Participation is free, thanks to funding from the European Union. Spots are limited—apply now*!