Blauer Kompass Award aims to discover the best projects to address climate impacts
For 10 years, the Blauer Kompass Award of the federal government has regularly given recognition to innovative projects for climate preparedness and for adapting to the impacts of climate change. The new round of the competition launches today, and for the first time, it also includes a dedicated application category for schools – alongside municipalities, private and municipal companies, educational and research institutions, as well as associations, federations and foundations. The award carries prize money of €25,000 per winning project. The nationwide competition is jointly organised by the Federal Ministry for the Environment and the German Environment Agency. The application deadline is 20 March 2026.
“Extreme weather is becoming more frequent and more severe, including here in Germany. We therefore need good ideas and effective solutions to prepare for heat, drought and heavy rainfall. Whether in business, social services, or municipal planning, Blauer Kompass showcases the outstanding projects that are rising to this challenge,” said Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider. “For the first time, we are also inviting schools to take part in the competition. Young people often have especially creative ideas for tackling climate change.”
UBA President Dirk Messner said: “More and more people are feeling the effects of climate change in their everyday lives. The results of our Environmental Awareness Study show this time and again. That makes it all the more important to draw attention to the many strong and inspiring examples of preparedness and adaptation to climate change. For ten years now, Blauer Kompass has provided a widely recognised platform for this. Showcase the commitment of your municipality, company, institution, or school and apply!”
How can we address the challenges of climate change, such as heat, drought and heavy rainfall? Many innovative, effective and sustainable solutions already exist. Presenting them and inviting others to follow suit is the aim of the federal government’s Blauer Kompass Award. Applications can now be submitted online at www.uba.de/blauerkompass in the following five categories:
- Municipalities
- Private and municipal companies
- Educational and research institutions
- Associations, federations and foundations
- Schools
The application deadline is 20 March 2026.
If you have any questions about applying for the Blauer Kompass Award, you can contact the competition office by email (blauerkompass@uba.de) or by phone. Support with applications and further information on the Award will also be provided by the Centre for Climate Adaptation (ZKA) in the ZKA Spotlight webinar on 4 March 2026.
Award ceremony in September
After the application phase, the Federal Ministry for the Environment and the German Environment Agency will nominate 25 particularly impressive projects for the Award. In evaluating the projects, they will be supported by the Institute for Ecological Economic Research (IÖW) and the co2online competition office.
A jury composed of experts from the Federal Ministry for the Environment , the German Environment Agency, the national associations of local authorities, and other areas such as business and research, will select one winning project per category in early July 2026. In addition, a Community Award will be presented, and anyone interested can vote online from 16 June 2026 at www.uba.de/tatenbank.
The six award-winning projects will be honoured on 17 September 2026 as part of Climate Adaptation Week at a formal award ceremony at the Federal Ministry for the Environment in Berlin. The winners will each receive prize money of €25,000 and will be supported in their press and public relations work. Among other things, a professional short film will be produced about each of the award-winning projects.
More information:
About the Award and how to apply: www.uba.de/blauerkompass
Blauer Kompass Competition Office
c/o co2online
Phone: 030 36 99 61 - 12
Email: blauerkompass@uba.de
Links
FAQs about the Award and how to apply
The 2024 Blauer Kompass winners
2024 Blauer Kompass award ceremony
Open the web version of this press release
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