Symbol of Sustainability 2026

Categories:

1. Individual category: A natural person whose activities in the field of sustainability are exemplary – the awarded individual is entitled to use the title “Symbol of Sustainability – Ambassador of Sustainability” in their personal branding;
2. Product category: A product which – considering the current state of science and technology and similar products available on the Hungarian market – is exemplary in terms of environmental, social, and societal aspects. A product is a set of tangible (physical, chemical, biological) and intangible (aesthetic and symbolic) attributes that appears in a materialized form and serves to satisfy consumer needs (e.g. food, consumer goods, equipment, etc.);
   Within the Product category, the following product types are particularly included:
   • Food and beverages
   • Beauty and fashion products
   • Health and wellness products
   • Electronics and technological devices
   • Cars, vehicles, and other means of transport
   • Industrial and construction products
   • Other durable consumer goods
3. Service category: A service which – considering the current state of science and technology – is exemplary in terms of environmental, social, and societal aspects. A “service” refers to an intangible activity or action that one party can offer to another, typically to satisfy a need or specific requirement (e.g. transport, installation, IT services, cleaning, etc.);
   • Healthcare services
   • Tourism services
   • Sports and recreational services
   • Entertainment services
   • IT services
   • Financial (capital market) services
   • Logistics and warehousing services
   • Commercial services
   • Energy services
4. Technological solution, process category: A newly introduced process that transforms or modifies conventional or previous procurement, production, logistics, sales, raw material, natural resource (water) and energy sourcing, as well as waste processing and waste management processes in such a way that the environmental impact of the given process is significantly reduced. Technology refers to the set of procedures and methods by which a goal can be consistently achieved, a product can be created, or a service can be delivered (e.g. manufacturing, packaging, transport, and other logistics solutions).
5. CSR (environmental category) – A corporate or individual initiative or project that has a significant impact on the natural environment, or is related to the protection, preservation, or maintenance of the natural environment (e.g. waste collection, voluntary reduction of environmental damage in natural environments (i.e. not as a market-based service), initiatives to reduce water or energy consumption, reduce carbon footprint, and reduce or eliminate processes that negatively affect the natural environment and climate).
6. CSR (social category) – An initiative or project that has had a significant impact on local communities or the company’s consumers (e.g. consumer education projects (healthy lifestyle and/or quality of life), support for employees, especially disadvantaged social groups, cooperation with civil organizations supporting the natural environment and social groups, support for children, the elderly, career starters, people with disabilities, underrepresented groups, mothers and families, victims of abuse, refugees, minorities, persecuted religious groups, people in state care, promotion of healthy eating, healthy and sustainable lifestyles, and related educational projects).
7. “Employer branding” – Employer measures or initiatives related to sustainability that significantly affect the organization, employees, their families, and communities (measures influencing the employer’s “image” that provide more favorable and sustainable working conditions, a healthier and more sustainable work environment, and overall a more attractive workplace). This particularly includes supporting various employee groups (mothers, fathers, employees with families, elderly employees, career starters, employees supporting elderly parents, employees supporting persons with disabilities, guest workers and other third-country workers), improving their living conditions, promoting work-life balance in favor of employees, supporting and developing employee participation rights, operating proper whistleblowing systems, respecting and protecting fundamental human rights, and introducing or developing new HR processes that improve workplace efficiency, relationships, and the employer’s business reputation.