Many proposals reach the DBU every year. These get to see many pairs of eyes until the awards ceremony in the fall. This is based on a proven four-stage selection and evaluation process that ensures neutrality and professional quality in the selection of award winners.
The four-stage selection and evaluation process begins in the fall of the previous year, with numerous (external) experts striving for the greatest possible neutrality and quality. Those entitled to submit proposals will be invited to submit proposals by the DBU office.
Eligible nominees have until the end of November to submit their nominations. The institutions and individuals entitled to make nominations will base their proposals on the DBU’s assessment criteria, thus ensuring initial qualification.
The office reviews and evaluates the proposals with the involvement of external experts. In closed-door meetings, an initial assessment and categorization of the proposals takes place. The assessment of the office will be presented to the jury for its decision-making process.
The jury of the German Environmental Award is made up of 16 representatives from business, science, society, media and youth. After an intensive discussion and deliberation process, the jury submits its recommendations to the Board of Trustees.
The 16-member DBU Board of Trustees makes the final decision on the basis of the jury’s recommendation.
The award ceremony usually takes place on the last weekend in October with numerous invited guests in various cities throughout Germany.
Only proposals submitted by an institution or person entitled to submit proposals to the Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt can be admitted to the procedure.
The selection of proposals must take into account the guiding idea and the target criteria on which the German Environmental Award is based.