
The Legambiente Innovation Prize was the first national award dedicated to innovation by businesses and local authorities in the environmental field, a challenge that has a significant impact on the competitiveness, attractiveness and welfare of cities and territories. The aim of the award is to create a favourable environment for research and contribute to the dissemination of good practices oriented towards environmental sustainability, promoting those organisations that are able to take on environmental challenges as an essential value and opportunity for economic and social development. The award aims to be a celebration of excellent innovations, with a view to making sustainability the main lever for change in the pursuit of a more efficient, fair and secure future in resource management, clearly indicating areas for improvement.
The award is open to start-ups, innovative small and medium-sized enterprises, university or corporate spin-offs, and benefit corporations. Participation is free and open to all organisations involving young people residing in Italy or another country of the European Economic Area but with production facilities or branches in Italy. This is an annual award for all those innovations in products, processes, services, technology, management and social issues that demonstrate a significant reduction in environmental impact, a considerable strengthening of resilience to the effects of climate change, and that stand out for their originality, replicability and potential for development. In case of a tie, preference will be given to owners or founders under the age of 35.
There are 5 competition categories, with reference to the Sustainable Development Objectives of the United Nations 2030 Schedule: 1) Agriculture and Agri-food Supply Chains; 2) Sustainable Mobility; 3) Smart Living, innovations to improve life in small towns and Smart Cities; 4) Circular Economy; 5) Energy Transition.
The evaluation criteria include: the reduction of waste produced throughout the entire life cycle; the positive effects of innovation on the environment (air, water,land, territory and biodiversity); the ability of innovation to change purchasing or consumption patterns; the potential impact of innovation on the production system or consumption; the generation of measurable benefits for improving the quality of life of local communities (recovery and reuse of materials, community welfare, restoration of degraded areas); the ability to communicate information about social and environmental performance in a creative and effective way.
The scientific evaluation committee is composed of: Legambiente, CARIPLO Foundation, CON IL SUD Foundation, SODALITAS Foundation, Kyoto Club, Politecnico of Milano, University of Milano - Department of Environmental Sciences and Policies and Department of Cultural and Environmental Heritage, IED and EY.
Cash prizes of €2,500 will be awarded to the winners in each category, who will also be authorised to use the 2025 Innovation Award logo. In addition to the winner, the jury may award additional honourable mentions.
The deadline for registration has been extended to September 15, 2025.
The award ceremony is scheduled for November 26 at the ADI Museum in Milano.
For info: premioinnovazione@legambiente.it