Applications are now open for the 2026 UNIDO ONE World Sustainability Awards. These prestigious awards are a hallmark UNIDO initiative to recognize and promote ground-breaking contributions to sustainable industrial development worldwide. Rooted in the United Nations’ global agenda on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) the awards showcase businesses and individuals who demonstrate excellence in sustainability and innovation aligned with the UN’s vision for a just, inclusive, and sustainable future.
The 2026 ceremony will take place in Vienna, Austria, giving finalists a prestigious platform to showcase their impact on one of the world’s most prominent international stages.
WORTH
- High credibility of the Award by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization
- Global visibility and partnerships, become part of a global platform with 173 Member States & innovators and gain access to new networks
ELIGIBILITY
- Start-Ups that develop or deploy new technologies, business models, or digital/green solutions with clear potential to transform a sector or market (e.g. clean-tech developers, digital platforms, circular-economy innovators, robotics/AI solutions for industry, sustainable materials start-ups).
- Age: typically 5 or less years old (as per OECD definition) or up to 7 years from official registration.
- Size: typically fewer than 50 employees, in justified cases also above this threshold.
- Market readiness: The start-up must be fully operational and already active in the market. Pure business concepts, early seed-investment stage are not eligible.
DEADLINE: June 30, 2026
To apply and for more information, visit here
