Prizes & awards
The HNEE - an excellent sustainable & innovative university
The Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development has been recognised over 30 times since 2008 for its commitment to sustainability, innovation and teaching. The honours include the German Sustainability Award 2025, the promotion of innovative learning settings and the award for the most recycling paper-friendly university. Not only the university itself has been recognised, but also its teaching staff, projects and committed individuals.
Letzte Woche nahm unser Kanzler Markus Koenecke den Deutschen Nachhaltigkeitspreis in Empfang. Der Preis freut uns sehr!
Sven Weickert, Geschäftsführer der Unternehmensverbände Berlin-Brandenburg, überreicht Auszeichnung übergeben an die HNEE, Kerstin Lehmann (Mitte)
v.l.n.r.: Eric Bönecke vom Leibniz-Institut für Gemüse- und Zierpflanzenanbau e.V. und Ingmar Schröter von der Hochschule für nachhaltige Entwicklung Eberswalde sowie Freya Fehr und Uwe Roth vom Kreisbauernverband Werra-Meißner e.V. nahmen die Auszeichnungen für die beiden Projekte entgegen.
HNEE erhält das IHK-Siegel für exzellente Ausbildungsqualität V. l. n. r.: Nick-Leon Heinze (Auszubildender), Frau Stephanie Sperfeldt (Mitarbeiterin der Abteilung für Personalangelegenheiten/Bewerbungsmanagement, Prof. Dr. Alexander Pfriem (Vizepräsident für Foschung und Transfer), Michael Völker (Stellvertretender Hauptgeschäftsführer und Leiter des Aus- und Weiterbildungsbereiches der IHK Ostbrandenburg), Ulrike Müske (Leiterin der Abteilung für Personalangelegenheiten), Michael Seliger (Mitarbeiter IT-Servicezentrum), Jana Diser (ehem. Auszubildende und Mitarbeiterin IT-Servicezentrum) und Ginos Reppenhagen Auszubildender)
Präsident Prof. Dr. Matthias Barth (r.) bei der Auszeichnung mit dem Parlamentarischen Staatssekretär Christian Kühn
Prof. Dr. Prof. Dr. Maria Böhmer, Präsidentin der Deutschen UNESCO-Kommission; Preistragende der Kategorie Lernorte: für nachhaltige Entwicklung Eberswalde (Prof. Dr. Uta Steinhardt, Selena Dami); Dr. Jens Brandenburg, Parlamentarischer Staatssekretär bei der Bundesministerin für Bildung und Forschung
2025
Promotion of innovative teaching-learning settings
HNEE was selected as one of 119 universities in the nationwide competition organised by the Foundation for Innovation in Higher Education (StIL).
2024
Seifriz - Transfer Prize Crafts + Science
"Seifriz - Transferpreis Handwerk + Wissenschaft" for the project "AI-controlled field robot Uckerbot/Feldfreund" by Zauberzeug GmbH and HNEE.
EIP-Agri Innovation Award 2024
EIP-Agri Innovation Award 2024 in the "Digitalisation" category for the Brandenburg EIP project "Precise Liming in Brandenburg", coordinated by HNEE.
Appointment of the Institute for Biosphere Reserves as an institute under the auspices of UNESCO
Following the unanimous decision of the UNESCO General Conference in November 2023, the contracts for the patronage of the Biosphere Reserves Institute (BRI) of the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development were signed in Paris on 19 June 2024 by the Ambassador of the Permanent Mission of Germany to UNESCO, Kerstin Pürschel, as Plenipotentiary and her deputy Dr Axel Küchle, as well as by UNESCO, represented by the Director-General Audrey Azoulay and the President of HNEE, Matthias Barth.
Seal for excellent training quality
Honoured by the East Brandenburg Chamber of Industry and Commerce.
University prize "Ideenschmiede"
From the Berlin-Brandenburg Business Plan Competition (BPW) to the most start-up-active university in the state of BrandenburgFrom the Berlin-Brandenburg Business Plan Competition (BPW) to the most start-up-active university in the state of Brandenburg
German Sustainability Award 2024 in the Company category
Awarded by the "Stiftung Deutscher Nachhaltigkeitspreis e.V." (German Sustainability Award Foundation)
2023
National award - Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in the "Learning Centres" category
National award - Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in the category "Places of Learning" by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the German Commission for UNESCO (DUK) and as part of the UNESCO "ESD 2030" programme
Most recycled paper-friendly university
Most recycled paper-friendly university in the Paper Atlas University Competition 2023 organised by the Initiative Pro Recyclingpapier.
Certificate from EMAS
HNEE applies an environmental management system in accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 1221/2009 and EN ISO 14001:2015 Sections 4 to 10 to continuously improve its environmental performance, regularly publishes an environmental statement, has the environmental management system and the environmental statement audited by an authorised, independent environmental verifier, is entered in the EMAS register and is therefore authorised to use the EMAS logo.
2022
Diversity as an opportunity - The Diversity Charter for diversity in the world of work
Certificate of honour for Prof. Dr Matthias Barth from the National Forestry University of Ukraine
For the personal contribution to the organisation of humanitarian aid for Ukrainians, the establishment and development of educational and scientific cooperation with students and scientific and educational staff of the National Forestry University of Ukraine.
2021
Award for the "Sustainability at Brandenburg Universities" working group
The working group is led by the HNEE. Awarded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and the German UNESCO Commission.
2020
Certificate in recognition of 10 years of commitment to the continuous improvement of our own environmental performance
Certificate awarded by EMAS and IHK Ostbrandenburg in recognition of 10 years of commitment to the continuous improvement of our own environmental performance.
University pearl of the month November
University Pearl of the Month November for the project "HNEE Storytelling - the sustainability soap opera from Eberswalde" by the Stifterverband.
Appointment of the project "Vielfalt findet Stadt - gemeinsam Natur wagen" as an official project of the "UN Decade on Biodiversity"
Appointment of the project, the WaldWelten Foundation, "Vielfalt findet Stadt - gemeinsam Natur wagen" as an official project of the "UN Decade on Biodiversity".
2018
Certificate for offsetting HNEE's greenhouse gas emissions
Certificate from Ivakale e.V. for offsetting HNEE's greenhouse gas emissions from 2015, 2016 and 2017; as well as the climate-neutral semester ticket for 2017 and 2018. Emissions were offset by saving emissions from the climate protection project Kakamega Stove Project, Kenya by installing efficient clay cookers (Upesi stoves).
2017
Ars legendi prize in the project category
Ars legendi Award in the Project category from the Stifterverband and the German Rectors' Conference for the practice-oriented module "Project Study Partner Organic Farming" of the Bachelor's degree programme "Organic Farming & Marketing", endowed with 25,000 euros
University pearl of the month June 2017
University Pearl of the Month June 2017 for the "InnoForum Organic Farming" project by the Stifterverband.
EMAS Award in the category 'Organisations from public administration'
EMAS Award in the category 'Organisations from public administration' - Europe's most prestigious award for eco-management, presented by the European Commission.
ESD level 3 award
Recognised by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and the German Commission for UNESCO for its active commitment to establishing outstanding educational initiatives for sustainable development (ESD).
One university - one book 2017
Award from the Stifterverband and the Klaus Tschira Foundation, in cooperation with the weekly newspaper DIE ZEIT for the project "100% sustainability needs only 1% growth - the University for Sustainable Development reads the latest report to the Club of Rome".
2015
Certificate for offsetting HNEE's greenhouse gas emissions
Certificate for offsetting HNEE's greenhouse gas emissions from Ivakale e.V.; emissions were offset by emission savings from the climate protection project Kakamega Stove Project, Kenya through the installation of efficient clay cookers, so-called 'Upesi Stoves'.
2014
EMAS registration certificate
This organisation applies an environmental management system in accordance with EC Regulation No. 1221/2009 and EN ISO 14001:2004 Section 4 to continuously improve its environmental performance, regularly publishes an environmental statement, has the environmental management system and the environmental statement audited by an accredited, independent environmental verifier, is entered in the EMAS register and is therefore entitled to use the EMAS logo.
2013
UN Decade Project" award
Award "UN Decade Project" for the Master's degree programmes "Regional Development & Nature Conservation" (M.Sc.) and "Strategic Sustainability Management" (M.A.) and the Further Education as a certified provider of Education for Sustainable Development "Seven at a Stroke" & selection of the textbook "Corporate Sustainability Management" as an official contribution to the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development by UNESCO, (UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development: 2005-2014).
2009
2008
Winner of the "365 Landmarks in the Land of Ideas" award (Global Change Management degree programme)
Winner of the "365 Landmarks in the Land of Ideas" award (Global Change Management degree programme). The Germany - Land of Ideas initiative is committed to promoting ideas and innovation in Germany.
Awards presented by the HNEE
Prizes awarded by the HNEE
Because excellence deserves recognition - prizes for students
The Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development recognises the academic achievements and commitment of students by awarding various prizes. Students can receive prizes for outstanding and particularly forward-looking theses, exceptional academic achievements and for their voluntary work.
Aris Legendi Prize Brandenburg
All prices at a glance
Johannes Schubert Prize
The purpose of the Johannes Schubert Foundation is to promote and honour scientific work by particularly talented students at the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development in the field of ecology or meteorology. With this in mind, prizes have been awarded since 1996 for outstanding scientific achievements in the context of diploma, Bachelor or Master theses. The prizes are awarded in memory of Professor Dr Johannes Schubert (1859 - 1947).
Target group
Bachelor's & Master's students, field of ecology / meteorology
Endowment
usually 1000 Euro
Award ceremony
As part of the graduation ceremony
Gunther Wolff Prize
We have been awarding the Gunther Wolff Prize for outstanding theses every year since 2015. The aim is to recognise forward-looking work by students. At the same time, it honours the work of the founding rector of Eberswalde University of Applied Sciences, who passed away in 2013 and to whom the university owes its explicit profile in the green field, the "green thread", as he called it at the time.
Target group
Bachelor's & Master's students
Endowment
500 euros
Award ceremony
During the graduation ceremony
Commitment Award
Since 2006, the Eberswalde University Society has been honouring committed students at Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development. The Commitment Award is presented each year to young people who are strongly committed to volunteering and thus significantly revitalise student culture.
In addition to a jury prize, an audience prize is also awarded, which university members can vote on in advance.
Target group
Bachelor's & Master's students
Endowment
500 euros
Award ceremony
On the university information day
Germany Scholarship
The Deutschlandstipendium has been awarded to students with outstanding academic and voluntary achievements since 2011. Funding is provided by private sponsors and the state.
Germany Scholarships are awarded once a year to students of all degree programmes. The call for applications and the selection process take place in the winter semester and the scholarships are awarded in the summer semester, usually for a funding period of two semesters. Scholarships are awarded subject to the availability of funds.
Target group
Bachelor's & Master's students
Endowment
300 euros/month usually for 12 months
Award ceremony
During the summer semester as part of an award ceremony
Landscape Management and Nature Conservation Award (LaNu)
Since 2007, Faculty 2 Landscape Management and Nature Conservation has awarded the Faculty Prize for theses that demonstrate innovative, practice-oriented approaches or solutions in the field of landscape management / resource conservation / economics / ecology through creativity. Theses can be nominated for the award by all lecturers.
Target group
Bachelor's and Master's students of the Landscape Management and Nature Conservation faculty
Endowment
Certificate & book voucher
Eco-Good-Award
The Eco-Good Award has been presented by the Faculty of Sustainable Business since 2018 for projects in the "Corporate Eco-management" module "that provide impetus for social, corporate or political change on the subject of environmental awareness". The prize is awarded by ZENIKPLUS. Students can submit their projects after the call for applications.
Target group
Students of the "Corporate eco-management" module
Endowment
350 euros
Award ceremony
In the summer semester
Sustainability Award of the City of Eberswalde
With the Sustainability Award, the City of Eberswalde honours exemplary theses from all faculties of the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development that can be expected to contribute
to sustainable urban development.
Student theses from all faculties that were successfully completed (with at least a "good") and defended between 1 September of the previous year and 31 August of the current year can be submitted. The prize is awarded at the matriculation ceremony for new students each autumn.
Applications can be submitted in writing or online, taking into account the funding guidelines, by 31 August of the current year to stadtentwicklungsamt(at)eberswalde.de or to the City Development Office of the City of Eberswalde, Breite Str. 39.
Target group
Bachelor & Master students
Endowment
1000 euros
Award ceremony
During the matriculation ceremony
Savings Bank Prize
The Sparkasse Prize has been awarded since 2000 for outstanding theses that contribute to regional development. The jury for the evaluation is made up of representatives from the four faculties, the President of HNEE and the Chairman of the Board of Sparkasse Barnim. Each faculty nominates two theses, which are then selected by a jury consisting of one representative from each of the four faculties, the President of HNE Eberswalde and the Chairman of the Board of Sparkasse Barnim.
Target group
Bachelor & Master students
Award ceremony
As part of the graduation ceremony
Social Entrepreneurship Competition in Tourism
The Social Entrepreneurship Competition in Tourism is a competition focussing on social innovation and social entrepreneurship in tourism. Since 2019, the award has been organised by HNEE, the International Tourism Exchange Berlin (ITB Berlin), the Berlin Travel Festival and Travel Massive.
Target group
Social entrepreneurs in tourism
Endowment
Non-cash and cash prizes
DAAD Prize
The DAAD Prize is awarded for outstanding academic achievements and exceptional commitment in social or intercultural areas and is funded by the Federal Foreign Office.
Target group
International full-time students
Endowment
1000 euros
Award ceremony
During the matriculation ceremony