Sustainable Adria Awards

The Sustainable Adria Awards are dedicated to recognising and celebrating exceptional sustainability achievements across the Adria region. These awards honour individuals, businesses, and initiatives that have made significant contributions to sustainability, social responsibility, and ethical governance, serving as beacons of positive change and innovation.
Award Categories
  • Sustainable Adria Leader of the Year Award
The Sustainable Adria Leader of the Year will be celebrated at the ESG Adria Summit, where they will have the opportunity to share their journey and insights, inspiring others to pursue excellence in sustainability.

Category Overview

This prestigious award honours visionary leaders who have demonstrated unparalleled commitment and effectiveness in integrating sustainability and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles within their organisations or communities.

The recipient will be an individual who has not only championed sustainability but also implemented impactful strategies foster long-term environmental stewardship, social equity, and robust governance.

Eligibility Criteria

Executive Leadership: Open to senior executives (CEOs, CFOs, COOs, etc.) who have successfully incorporated sustainability into their core business strategies, driving significant ESG improvements and demonstrating sustainable leadership.

Sustainability Advocates: This award recognises individuals within organisations who have shown exceptional dedication to sustainability principles, fostering a supportive and achieving remarkable progress in environmental, social, and governance practices.

Community Leaders: This award honours community leaders who have made substantial contributions to environmental protection, social and community well-being through innovative projects, advocacy, or policy influence.

Judging Criteria

Impact and Innovation: Evaluation of the tangible impacts of the leader’s initiatives on the environment, society, and governance, including innovative approaches and practices.

Sustainability Integration: Assessment of how well sustainability is integrated into the overall business or community strategy and operations.

Leadership and Influence: The leader’s ability to inspire, influence, and mobilize others to achieve sustainability goals is considered.

Commitment to Continuous Improvement: Recognition of ongoing efforts to enhance sustainability practices, showing a clear trajectory of progress and commitment to future advancements.

Community Engagement and Advocacy: Acknowledgement of efforts to engage stakeholders, advocate for sustainability issues, and contribute to broader societal change.

Submission Requirements

Nomination Form: Complete the nomination form with detailed information about the nominee’s achievements and contributions to sustainability and ESG.

Supporting Documents: Provide supporting documents such as case studies, impact reports, testimonials, and media coverage highlighting the nominee’s ESG initiatives and their outcomes.

  • Sustainable Adria Initiative of the Year Award

The Sustainable Adria Initiative of the Year will be honoured at the ESG Adria Summit, providing an opportunity to showcase the project to a wider audience and inspire other initiatives that contribute to sustainable development in the region

Nominate organisation or individual for Sustainable Adria Initiative of the Year Award here:

Category Overview

This award celebrates outstanding projects or initiatives in the Adria region that have made significant positive impacts on the environment or local communities.

It recognizes innovative and transformative efforts that address critical ESG challenges, contributing to the sustainable development and well-being of the region.

Eligibility Criteria

Environmental Impact: Open to projects that have demonstrably improved environmental conditions through actions such as pollution reduction, conservation efforts, renewable energy implementation, waste management, and biodiversity protection.

Social Impact: Recognizes initiatives that have enhanced social equity and well- being, such as community development programs, educational initiatives, healthcare improvements, and social inclusion projects.

Business Impact: Honours projects that have enabled businesses to adopt sustainable practices, improve governance, and contribute positively to the local economy while maintaining environmental and social responsibility.

Judging Criteria

Impact and Outcomes: Assessment of the measurable positive impacts on the environment, society, or local businesses, including quantifiable results and long-term benefits.

Innovation and Creativity: Evaluation of the innovative approaches and creative solutions employed in the project, highlighting originality and effectiveness.

Scalability and Replicability: Consideration of the potential for the initiative to be scaled or replicated in other communities or regions, enhancing its broader impact.

Stakeholder Engagement: Recognition of the project's efforts to engage and collaborate with stakeholders, including local communities, businesses, government bodies, and NGOs.

Sustainability and Longevity: Analysis of the project's sustainability, ensuring that it has a lasting positive effect and promotes continued improvement in environmental or social conditions.

Submission Requirements

Project Overview : A comprehensive description of the project, including its objectives, strategies, and key activities. Impact Report: Detailed documentation of the project's outcomes and impacts, supported by data, case studies, and testimonials from beneficiaries or stakeholders.

Supporting Materials : Additional materials such as photos, videos, media coverage, and endorsements that illustrate the project's success and community support.

  • Sustainable Adria Innovation of the Year Award

The Sustainable Adria Innovation of the Year will be celebrated at the ESG Adria Summit, which will provide a platform to showcase the innovative solution to a broader audience and inspire further advancements in sustainability and social responsibility.

Nominate organisation or individual for Sustainable Adria Initiative of the Year Award here:

Category Overview

This award recognizes groundbreaking innovations that have made significant positive environmental or social impacts in the Adria region. It honours forward- thinking solutions that address pressing sustainability challenges through creativity, technology, and ingenuity.

The aim is to celebrate transformative ideas that pave the way for a sustainable and equitable future.

Eligibility Criteria

Environmental Innovation: Open to innovative solutions that have effectively addressed environmental issues such as climate change, resource management, pollution reduction, renewable energy, and conservation. Social Innovation: This award recognizes creative solutions that have tackled social challenges, improving areas such as education, healthcare, social inclusion, and community development.

Technological Advancement: This award honours technological innovations that have advanced ESG objectives, enhancing sustainability and governance practices within businesses or communities.

Judging Criteria

Innovation and Creativity: Evaluation of the originality and ingenuity of the solution, highlighting its novelty and creative approach to solving sustainability challenges.

Impact and Effectiveness: Assessment of the innovation’s measurable positive impacts on the environment or society, including data and evidence of success. Scalability and Replicability: Consideration of the potential for the innovation to be scaled or replicated across other regions or sectors, amplifying its positive effects.

Sustainability: Analysis of the innovation's sustainability, ensuring it promotes long-term benefits and ongoing improvements inenvironmental or social conditions.

Submission Requirements

Innovation Overview: A detailed description of the innovative solution, including its objectives, development process, and key features.

Impact Report: Documentation of the innovation's outcomes and impacts, supported by data, case studies, and testimonials from beneficiaries or stakeholders.

Supporting Materials: Additional materials such as photos, videos, prototypes, and media coverage that illustrate the innovation’s effectiveness and reception.

  • Sustainable Adria Business of the Year Award
The Sustainable Adria Business of the Year will be honoured at the ESG Adria Summit, which will showcase the company’s achievements and inspire other businesses to adopt and enhance sustainable practices.

Category Overview

This award honors businesses in the Adria region that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to sustainability through the integration of sustainability practices into their operations.

It recognizes companies that have set exemplary standards in promoting sustainable development, ethical governance, and social responsibility, making a significant positive impact on their communities and the environment.

Eligibility Criteria

Sustainable Operations: Open to businesses that have successfully incorporated sustainable practices into their operations, reducing their environmental footprint and promoting resource efficiency.

Social Responsibility: Recognizes companies that have made meaningful contributions to social equity and community well-being through initiatives such as employee welfare programs, community engagement, and social inclusion efforts.

Governance Excellence: Honors businesses that have demonstrated strong governance practices, including ethical business conduct, transparency, and stakeholder engagement.

Judging Criteria

Environmental Performance: Evaluation of the company’s efforts to minimize environmental impact through initiatives like waste reduction, energy efficiency, emissions control, and sustainable resource management.

Social Impact: Assessment of the company’s contributions to social welfare, including programs for employee well-being, community development, and support for social causes.

Governance Practices: Consideration of the company’s governance framework, including transparency, ethical conduct, stakeholder engagement, and accountability mechanisms.

Innovation and Leadership: Recognition of innovative approaches and leadership in driving ESG initiatives within the business and influencing industry standards.

Sustainability Integration: Analysis of how well sustainability is integrated into the company’s overall strategy and operations, demonstrating a commitment to long-term sustainable development.

Submission Requirements

Business Overview: A description of the business, including its core activities, mission, and vision related to sustainability.

Sustainability Report: Detailed documentation of the company’s ESG practices and initiatives, supported by data, case studies, and impact assessments.

Supporting Materials: Additional materials such as photos, videos, media coverage, and endorsements that highlight the company’s sustainable practices and achievements.

The inaugural Sustainable Adria Awards will be presented during the third ESG Adria Summit, which will take place from April 9-11, 2025, in Porto Montenegro.

Submission Period: October 1, 2024 - January 31, 2025

Nominations and applications for all award categories will be accepted during this period. Participants are encouraged to submit comprehensive documentation of their sustainability efforts, including impact reports, case studies, and supporting materials. Submission period to be open soon.

Judging Period: February 1, 2025 - March 10, 2025

An independent panel of sustainability, social responsibility, and governance experts will evaluate all submissions based on predefined criteria, such as impact, innovation, and alignment with sustainability principles.

Finalists Announcement: March 17, 2025

Finalists in each category will be announced on the official channels of the ESG Adria Summit.

Award Ceremony: April 9-11, 2025

The winners will be announced and celebrated during the ESG Adria Summit 2025, with a formal award presentation and opportunities for winners to share their stories and insights with summit attendees.