WIN WIN Gothenburg Sustainability Award

What WIN WIN Gothenburg Sustainability Award does

WIN WIN Gothenburg Sustainability Award is a non-profit organization founded in 2000 and headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden. It operates two annual recognition programs: the WIN WIN Award, which carries a 1,000,000 SEK prize for contributions to sustainable development, and the WIN WIN Youth Award, a 100,000 SEK prize recognizing young sustainability leaders. The organization rebranded from the Gothenburg International Environment Award in 2018 to broaden its scope beyond environmental issues, and runs an annual cycle comprising global nomination solicitation, expert jury screening, and a public awards ceremony, alongside associated events including the Gothenburg Sustainability Summit (approximately 420 attendees) and WIN WIN Week.

The core product is the annual award cycle. The 2026 cycle received 1,224 nominations from 136 countries, a roughly 53% increase over the prior cycle's ~800 submissions. The organization has layered in digital infrastructure through a partnership with TRUE Original to issue digital diplomas and credentials to award winners. Thematic framing has evolved year over year, with the 2025 cycle anchored by Inner Development Goals (IDG) and the 2026 cycle anchored by a Gender Equality theme in collaboration with UN Women Sweden and MÄN. Operations are supported by a 12-member advisory board and a small staff of approximately 7 named members.

The business model is a non-profit partnership structure rather than a commercial revenue operation. Funding flows from a coalition of public-sector partners (City of Gothenburg, Region Västra Götaland), academic partners (Chalmers University of Technology, University of Gothenburg), research institutions (RISE, Stockholm Environment Institute), and corporate sponsors. These contributions finance prize payouts, event production, and content, in service of the organization's mission to surface and recognize global sustainability leadership.

Name

WIN WIN Gothenburg Sustainability Award

Legal name

WIN WIN Gothenburg Sustainability Award

Website

https://winwinaward.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

WIN WIN Gothenburg Sustainability Award is a Gothenburg, Sweden-based non-profit founded in 2000 that operates the WIN WIN Award and Youth Award (combined 1.1M SEK prize pool) to recognize global sustainability leaders, funded by public, academic, and corporate partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainability Awards and Recognition Services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

akta.pro primary industry

Sweepstakes, Contests & Giveaway Administration (BPAFAMAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Scholarships, Grants & Donor-Funded Awards Management (EDALAJAB)

Keywords

• Sustainability awards
• Non-profit recognition
• Youth changemakers
• Sustainability summit
• Prize awards

Headquarters

HQ city

Gothenburg

HQ country

Sweden

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Non-profit funding: The organization is financed through contributions from partners in the public sector, private sector and academia who share a commitment to promoting sustainability solutions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

WIN WIN Gothenburg Sustainability Award is a non-profit organization that operates two annual international sustainability awards: the WIN WIN Award (1 million SEK prize) recognizing established leaders worldwide for innovative sustainability solutions, and the WIN WIN Youth Award (100,000 SEK prize) for Changemakers aged 13–29. It accepts global open nominations from October to January, runs an independent jury selection process, and hosts an annual gala ceremony along with the Gothenburg Sustainability Summit and WIN WIN Week event program. The organization is financed through contributions from public, private, and academic partners.

Product overview

WIN WIN Gothenburg Sustainability Award is an award organization, not a technology product company. It operates two international sustainability awards: the WIN WIN Award (established 2000, 1 million SEK prize) recognizing established global sustainability leaders, and the WIN WIN Youth Award (established 2018, 100,000 SEK prize) for changemakers aged 13-29. The organization also runs the annual Gothenburg Sustainability Summit and WIN WIN Week events program, and provides digital diplomas through a partnership with TRUE Original.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• WIN WIN Award: The main award recognizing established leaders worldwide for innovative and impactful sustainability solutions. Prize sum is 1 million SEK.
• WIN WIN Youth Award
• Gothenburg Sustainability Summit

Products and services

• WIN WIN Award International annual sustainability award recognizing established global leaders for innovative and impactful sustainability solutions aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Open nomination process from October to January, finalists announced in March, winners revealed in April, and winners honoured at an October gala ceremony in Gothenburg. Prize sum: 1 million SEK. Free to nominate.
• WIN WIN Youth Award International annual award celebrating young sustainability changemakers aged 13–29 for completed sustainability work. Participants must not turn 30 during the award calendar year. Same annual cycle as the WIN WIN Award (October–January nominations, March finalists, April winners, October ceremony). Prize sum: 100,000 SEK. Free to nominate.
• Gothenburg Sustainability Summit Annual forum where leaders and changemakers from academia, business, politics, and civil society gather to accelerate the transition towards a sustainable future. Co-organised with CSR Västsverige. The 2025 edition drew 420 attendees.
• WIN WIN Week Week-long program of events featuring international experts, business leaders, researchers, and policymakers exploring innovative sustainability solutions, culminating in the annual gala and award ceremony at Börsen in Gothenburg.
• VERIFIED Digital Diplomas (via TRUE Original) Secure, tamper-proof digital diplomas issued to all finalists and laureates of the WIN WIN Award and WIN WIN Youth Award through a partnership with TRUE Original, ensuring authenticity and long-term accessibility of credentials.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,224 nominations received from 136 countries for 2026 award
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• City of Gothenburg (Göteborgs Stad)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe City of Gothenburg is responsible for the majority of community services in the area. The City co-founded the WIN WIN Gothenburg Sustainability Award and is represented with three representatives on the Board.
• Region Västra GötalandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegion Västra Götaland consists of 49 municipalities and 1.7 million inhabitants. Their mission is to contribute to a thriving region. Represented with two representatives on the Board.
• University of GothenburgcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe University of Gothenburg meets societal challenges with diverse knowledge. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract scientists and students from all around the world.
• Carl Bennet ABcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCarl Bennet AB is the principal owner of Getinge, Arjo, Elanders, and Lifco groups. Carl Bennet himself co-founded the WIN WIN Award.
• Chalmers University of TechnologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChalmers conducts research and education in technology and natural sciences at a high international level with a sustainable future as its global vision.
• SEBcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSEB is a leading Nordic financial services group with over 4 million customers and 17,000 employees. Committed to sustainability and helping society reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
• Andra AP-fonden (AP2)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAndra AP-fonden manages about SEK 460 billion and is one of the buffer funds in the Swedish pension system. Goal is for entire portfolio to be in line with the Paris Agreement.
• EssitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEssity is a leading global hygiene and health company with sales in approximately 150 countries. Dedicated to improving well-being and addressing global challenges.
• ElanderscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerElanders Group is a global supplier of integrated solutions in supply chain management, print & packaging and e-commerce. Operates in 20 countries across 4 continents.
• SKFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSKF Group is the world's leading supplier of products, solutions and services in rolling bearings, seals, mechatronics, and service systems. Included in Dow Jones' Sustainability Index.
• GetingecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGetinge is a global company operating in 38 countries with headquarters in Gothenburg. Leading provider of products and systems within healthcare and life sciences.
• Coop VästcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoop Väst is part of Swedish grocery retail giant Coop. Their Änglamark brand was recognized as most sustainable brand among Swedish consumers in Sustainable Brand Index.
• Mardi GrascoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMardi Gras is a communications agency based in Gothenburg, established in 1997. Provides strategy, branding, content, PR, and UX/UI design services. Signed Klimatlöftet 2030.
• GreencarriercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreencarrier is a family-owned logistics company based in Gothenburg operating in 15 countries. Working toward being one of the most sustainable logistics alternatives by 2027.
• UN Women SwedenflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerUN Women Sweden is a National Committee supporting UN Women's global mission. Theme partner for 2026 under 'Gender-Equal Societies.'
• MÄNflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMÄN is a Swedish non-profit advancing gender equality and combating men's violence. Theme partner for 2026 under 'Gender-Equal Societies.'
• Inner Development Goals (IDG)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerTheme partner for 2025 focusing on strengthening the inner capacity required to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
• Stockholm Resilience CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational research hub at Stockholm University focused on resilience and sustainability science. Collaborates on knowledge exchange and nominations for the award.
• CSR VästsverigecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit association bringing together nearly 300 businesses, organisations, and associations to accelerate transition to sustainable society. Co-organises Gothenburg Sustainability Summit.
• FocaliminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwedish research network linking experts across disciplines on forests, climate, biodiversity, and livelihoods. Exchanges knowledge and arranges joint events.
• FandangominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreative content agency that documented the work of 2025 laureate Domingo Peas in the Ecuadorian Amazon.
• RevästminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatform at School of Business, Economics, and Law at University of Gothenburg fostering collaboration among businesses, academia, and public sector.
• Radisson Blu Scandinavia HotelminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocated in heart of Gothenburg, offers winners and guests room and hospitality during WIN WIN award week.
• Göteborg City MissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwedish non-profit working to support people in vulnerable situations. Collaborates on redesign initiatives with focus on circularity and social inclusion.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Blue Planet Prize: Annual ¥50M prize awarded by the Asahi Glass Foundation to individuals or organizations making outstanding contributions to solving global environmental problems. Direct peer: long-established international environmental prize with similar prestige and recognition scope.
• Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement: Premier US-based annual environmental prize (USD 200K) administered by USC honoring outstanding contributions to environmental science, energy, or environmental health. Direct peer: long-running international environmental achievement prize with academic backing.
• Goldman Environmental Prize: Annual international prize recognizing grassroots environmental activists from each of the six inhabited continents. Closest direct peer: comparable prize purse, independent jury, global nomination funnel, and focus on individual sustainability/environmental leaders.
• Whitley Awards (Whitley Fund for Nature): Annual awards (£40K) recognizing effective grassroots conservation leaders from the Global South. Direct peer: international recognition prize with jury selection and theme-driven annual cycles focused on environmental leadership.
• Zayed Sustainability Prize: UAE-based annual prize awarding USD 600K per category across sustainability, energy, food, water, health, and global high schools. Direct peer: international sustainability recognition prize with corporate backing and thematic alignment with UN SDGs.
• UNEP Champions of the Earth: UN Environment Programme's flagship annual award recognizing environmental leaders across policy, science, business, and civil society. Direct peer: UN-aligned global environmental prize with similar scope to WIN WIN's mission.
• Volvo Environment Prize: Annual SEK 1.5M prize established by Volvo, awarded for outstanding innovations or scientific discoveries in the environmental field. Direct peer: Swedish-origin, corporate-backed, similar prize size, and overlapping global nomination ecosystem.
• The Earthshot Prize: Global environmental prize founded by Prince William and The Royal Foundation with £1M awards across five "Earthshots." Direct peer: high-profile, well-capitalized sustainability prize targeting scalable solutions with global media reach.
• Energy Globe Award: Worldwide environmental award with national and international categories recognizing projects with a focus on sustainability, resource efficiency, and renewable energy. Direct peer: open nomination, global reach, sustainability-themed recognition prize.
• Equator Prize: UNDP-recognized biennial prize honoring community-led initiatives advancing sustainable development and biodiversity conservation. Direct peer: international recognition prize for sustainability leaders/communities with thematic alignment and global nomination process.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xinstagram.com/winwinaward/?hl=en
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCEqAm8FFUsxfi4BdCB_ABkA
• Facebookfacebook.com/winwinaward
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/win-win-gothenburg-sustainability-award
• Instagraminstagram.com/winwinaward/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about WIN WIN Gothenburg Sustainability Award