As a place of research and innovation, knowledge and education, as well as an operational institution, the University of Wuppertal sees it as its responsibility and task to contribute to solving regional and global sustainability challenges. With this in mind, the BUW has announced a sustainability prize for the first time, which will be awarded annually from now on.

Projects that make valuable contributions to sustainable development in terms of achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - whether through innovative research in this area, the promotion of sustainability in teaching or sustainable organisational initiatives - can be submitted for the award.

Inspiring ideas for a sustainable future

"Sustainable development requires committed people, creative ideas, courage and cooperation. With this award, we are honouring projects that embody exactly that and show the productive contributions BUW can make to solving the challenges of our time," explains Prof. Dr Gertrud Oelerich, Vice-Rector for Sustainable Organisational Development and Diversity. "The award-winning projects illustrate how much potential there is in our university, where knowledge, creativity and commitment come together. They are inspiring examples of how we can shape a sustainable future together."

The Rectorate will award four projects in the fields of research, teaching and organisation with prize money of 1,500 euros each for the year 2024. The prize money is intended to finance further sustainability-orientated measures at the University of Wuppertal.

The winners are

• GREEN SESAME - Prof. Dr Gino Casale, Institute for Educational Research in the School of Education
• Sustainable Design Literacy - Prof. Dr Martina Fineder-Hochmayr, Prof. Dr Christa Liedtke, Prof. Gert Trauernicht and students of the Master's programme "Strategic Product and Innovation Development", School of Art and Design
• Sharing offers and swapping events on campus - AStA Sustainability Department
• Natural campus area for plants, animals and people - Prof. Dr Gertrud Lohaus, School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences and Tom Schürhoff, Department of Building, Safety and Environmental Management

"Overall, the four selected projects impressed with their promising, inspiring and transferable solutions," says Julia Schumacher, Sustainability Officer at the BUW. The selection makes it clear how diverse the topics are: they range from climate, resource and biodiversity protection to social issues - such as strengthening mental health or changing social structures. The projects address key challenges of our time and help to make our society more sustainable. "What is also particularly pleasing is the broad commitment across different areas and disciplines - from employees and students alike - which is evident in both the award-winning and the other shortlisted projects," emphasises Schumacher.

A shortlist with a total of ten of the particularly convincing submissions and brief descriptions of the four winning projects is available on the Sustainability Award website.