Federal Award “Blue Compass” 2026 Organisation and implementation of the competition round

Since 2016, the federal award “Blue Compass” has been Germany's highest state honor for projects aimed at preventing and adapting to the consequences of climate change. Since 2021, the federal award has been presented jointly by the Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMUKN) and the Federal Environment Agency (UBA). Whether heat, drought, floodings, or forest fires – the effects of global warming and associated extreme weather events can cause great damage. It is therefore important to take preventive measures to promote climate adaptation. Many projects and initiatives are already addressing this challenge. The federal award, which is divided in five categories and endowed with 25,000 euros each, helps to acknowledge and raise awareness of these projects and initiatives.   

In 2026, the federal award will celebrate its tenth anniversary and will be further developed in terms of content. In addition to the competition categories addressing municipalities, private and municipal companies, research and educational institutions, as well as associations and foundations, a special category for school projects will be introduced. This shall promote specifically initiatives in the school sector and thus the interest in the topic among children and young people. In this competition round, there will also be a greater focus on networking among the winning projects.  

The IÖW is responsible for the technical assessment of the competition entries. Beyond, it is also involved in press and public relations activities, such as promoting the competition, and in activities, which address the networking among the winning projects.