The award is presented by the German Sustainability Award Foundation (Stiftung Deutscher Nachhaltigkeitspreis e.V.). The foundation association maintains the independence and reputation of the award, ensures its financing, and aligns the project with the highest standards. This is particularly true for transparent governance and the ongoing development of the methodology.
In 2008, we encountered widespread incomprehension from interest groups and much of the political sphere. Sustainability was considered socially unviable, merely a desired topic for a marginal minority. Those who supported the term at the time believed that sustainability was not something to celebrate but rather something that had to be scientifically analyzed and politically enforced.
Our approach was different. We believed then - and even more so today - that successful sustainability strategies require, among many other things, enthusiasm and encouragement. The best way to achieve this is through role models and success stories. To this end, we developed a suitable method. Instead of selecting good examples ourselves, we identify them through competitions, qualified assessments, and the collective expertise of large juries. Our approach is always twofold:
We identify effective solutions, innovative contributions, and exemplary measures - wherever possible - using quantitative data. An increasing amount of (published) data is available for this purpose. Additionally, we rely on the information provided by the stakeholders and verify their credibility through the jury process.
When comparing different levels of ambition and effective "levers", assessing industries with varying challenges, and evaluating entirely new business models, we rely on a broad spectrum of experienced stakeholders in our juries. These juries are reassembled each year (with the possibility of reappointment) to ensure diversity, depth, and up-to-date expertise. They work confidentially. The members contribute their knowledge and perspectives, along with a critical and courageous mindset, to select award winners whose transformative solutions can serve as role models for others.
Our mission is, therefore, a recognition of best practices, combined with a multi-stakeholder approach. We openly acknowledge that - given the current state of affairs - we do not expect a fully realized and flawless sustainability practice. No one has reached the final goal. No pioneer does everything right at all times and from every perspective. We do not claim otherwise. Our focus is on actors and organizations that are successfully moving in the right direction.
We present these efforts to the interested public. At our congress, we invite stakeholders from diverse social sectors to engage in discussion and exchange. This discursive element complements the award ceremony.
Lawyer, Science Journalist
Former Secretary-General of the German Council for Sustainable Development
Management Consultant
Professor of Business Administration, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg
Chair of the Expert Commission on "Causes of Migration" of the Federal Government
Former Chair of the German Council for Sustainable Development
Director of the "Global Society Institute," Chair of the Foundation for Business and Forests Germany, Member of the German Bundestag from 2009 to 2021
Chair of B.A.U.M. e.V. – Network for Sustainable Business
The juries are independent and are not bound by any particular interests. Their decision-making is solely committed to the ethical standards of sustainability and the goals of the German Sustainability Award. When appointing jury members, the Board of Trustees takes into account both the personal and professional qualifications of the members as well as a balanced representation of various stakeholders.
The juries make the evaluative selection of nominees, finalists, and winners of the GSA. They consider the facts compiled within the framework of the competition for the GSA, personal expertise, as well as the insights of the relevant stakeholder groups.
The jury's assessment criteria are essentially aimed at effective, successful and exemplary contributions to transformation in a multi-stage process.
In addition, the jurors may take into account various (company) sizes, different business models, or thematic priorities in selecting the top contenders. They may also consider developmental dynamics, such as recognizing when an actor has rapidly moved away from problematic sustainability balances. In competitions such as sports or the NEA, the jury follows different, specific evaluation criteria.
Jurors are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest. A conflict of interest exists if their personal interests or the interests of the organization they represent could impair or potentially impair their neutral execution of the jury mandate. The GSA appoints an independent ombudsperson to support jurors and make decisions in cases of doubt. If a conflict of interest is identified, the juror may continue to participate in the voting process but cannot vote for the finalist with whom they have a conflict.
All assessment partners are required to disclose any conflicts of interest in the context of their evaluations that could compromise their independence. In cases of doubt, the independent ombudsperson appointed by the GSA will provide guidance. If a conflict of interest is present, the assessment partner will not handle the relevant company. The evaluation will then be conducted solely by the other partner.
Due to the new competition methodology in the corporate award, it is expected that some of the Foundation’s partners will also be pioneers in their respective industries. Neither competition partners nor competition participants are excluded from partnerships. All existing partnerships will be published on the website. All assessment partners are committed to evaluating independently, freely, and based on their professional expertise, even in the context of partnerships. They commit not to consider any partnership - whether favorably or disadvantageously - in their work.
Partners are not allowed to interfere in the process at any point and, in the partnership agreement, pledge to refrain from any attempts to influence. All assessment partners guarantee that any attempt at influence by a company (whether a partner or not) will be reported to the ombudsperson appointed by the GSA.
The GSA was founded in 2008 by the communication agency COMENT, whose CEO is the lawyer and science journalist Stefan Schulze-Hausmann. After a successful debut, the governance and compliance rules for the awarding of the GSA were designed and implemented as a multi-stakeholder project with the support of, among others, the then Secretary-General of the German Council for Sustainable Development, Dr. Günther Bachmann, and Sylvia Schenk, the then Chairperson of the Anti-Corruption Organization Transparency International.
Since 2009, the intellectual sponsor of the GSA has been the German Sustainability Award Foundation e.V. The foundation’s articles of association stipulate that the foundation appoints a general contractor for the operational implementation of the GSA. Since 2009, COMENT GmbH has been commissioned; the underlying contract is reviewed annually by the Board of Trustees and the General Assembly and signed by all board members.
The responsibilities of the foundation association and the implementing agency are clearly defined; the proper cooperation between the association and the agency is supervised by the Board of Trustees.
COMENT GmbH implements the competitions and events of the GSA in close collaboration with the foundation association, which also contributes steering and implementation services. This is made transparent in the partner contracts and on the websites of the GSA and the GmbH. The financial flows are documented in detail and presented to the Board of Trustees annually. Additionally, the organization, financing, and division of tasks between the association and the general contractor, as well as the market competitiveness of the fees, are reviewed by the ministries or project sponsors before any contract is concluded with the public sector.
The GSA is a multi-stakeholder project, unlike many other awards, it is not fully financed by a single political institution or a single other donor. The financial and material resources needed for its realization are continuously raised.
The project is made possible through numerous, primarily long-term partnerships. It also follows a multi-stakeholder approach that excludes majoritarian financial support. The partners include, among others, federal and state authorities, local government entities, associations, NGOs, media, and companies. All partnerships are driven by content.
As a rule, the communicative services of the GSA (e.g., participation in the congress, communication formats, cooperation on special awards, ticket contingents) are met with financial or material contributions from the partners. For example, the federal government uses the GSA to present and communicate sustainability-related initiatives. All partners are made public.
Furthermore, the GSA is financed through ticket sales for the GSA and GSD award ceremonies, licensing fees for the seal, and inclusion in GSA printed materials. Until now, participation fees have partially covered the costs of the review processes. These were largely abolished in 2023.
Income and expenses are reported to the board in detail on an annual basis.
The supported organizations and projects include, among others: 'The Sing Campaign' / Annie Lennox Foundation through the German AIDS Foundation; World Childhood Foundation; 'Small Kindness' through Save the Children; G-CAPP through the Donum Vitae Foundation; Aktion Deutschland hilft; The Sir Cliff Richard Charitable Trust; Faire face au SIDA Foundation; Green City e.V. (Wandering Trees); Anti-Slavery International; Free the Children; The Circle of Women; Jane Goodall Institute; Viva Con Agua; The Circle; Plant-for-the-Planet Foundation; Greenpeace e.V.; SOS Children's Villages; Dionne Warwick for organizations of her choice; Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund Germany e.V.
In Laos, the DNP assisted on-site: Life with a disability is difficult in many places – and we are all, sooner or later, dependent on help. For this reason, the DNP, in cooperation with Kleine Hilfsaktion e.V., facilitated the construction of a training center for people with disabilities in Luang Prabang, Laos. The aim of the center is to provide people with the opportunity to earn their livelihood independently.