SDG AWARDS
Who is already working toward a sustainable future today? Who is turning the SDGs into concrete actions and inspiring others to do the same? At the initiative of Jean-Luc Crucke, the Federal Minister of Sustainable Development, the Federal Institute for Sustainable Development (FISD) hosted the first-ever SDG Awards in 2026.
With this award, they are shining a spotlight on organizations that contribute to the SDGs through concrete actions. Eight nominated organizations—spanning four categories — were in the running for the award. And the public also has a say in who takes home the award.
SDG AWARDS 2026: DISCOVER THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE TURNING THE SDGs INTO CONCRETE ACTION
On October 13 2026, participants at the SDG-Forum had the opportunity to learn about the nominated organisations, visit their booths, ask them questions, and draw inspiration from their projects and best practices.
During the closing plenary session, they were then able to vote and help select the winner in each category.
FOUR CATEGORIES, EIGHT INSPIRING ORGANISATIONS
The SDG Awards are presented in four categories. Two organisations are nominated in each category. Together, they demonstrate how sustainable development can take concrete form in various sectors and at various levels.
Discover the eight nominated organisations and find out which ones received a distinction
Copyright Andy Vermaut - Indegazette.be
SDG AWARDS NOMINEES
The winning organisation in the ‘Civil Society Organisation’ category is
GoodPlanet Belgium
Educational Institutions
The winning organisation in the ‘Educational Institutions’ category is
UCLouvain
Municipalities, cities, and provinces
The winning organisation in the ‘Municipalities, cities and provinces’ category is
Stad Harelbeke
Businesses (both SMEs and large companies)
The winning organisation in the ‘Businesses (both SMEs and large companies) category is
Revive
FROM SELECTION TO PUBLIC VOTE
The nominees were selected by a jury of experts in sustainable development, appointed by FISD. Jury members* nominated organisations that they believed served as inspiring examples.
After deliberation, the jury selected two nominees per category based on their contribution to sustainable development, their impact, and their inspiring nature.
*The jury, chaired by Dieter Vander Beke, former acting director of the Federal Institute for Sustainable Development (FISD), consisted of experts in sustainable development who participated in their personal capacity and not on behalf of their organizations:
Benoît Derenne, Mélanie De Schepper, Ilse Dries, Nathalie Dumont, Luc Maertens, Rodolphe Mouriau, Elisabeth Steen, Valérie Swaen, Jo Van Cauwenberghe, Cédric Van de Walle, Luc Van Liedekerke, Vic Vereecke, Heleen Voeten, Inge Willems
DISCOVER THE NOMINEES AND GET INSPIRED
The SDG Awards are more than just an awards ceremony. During the SDG-Forum, you’ll have the opportunity to meet the nominated organisations in person.
Paricipants visited their booths and:
The conversations and encounters throughout the day helped the participants in making an informed choice during the public vote.
Each nominated organisation also received a professional promotional video highlighting its work, projects, and contribution to sustainable development.
During the closing plenary session of the SDG-Forum on October 13, 2026, the audience voted live for their favorite organisation in each category.
HONORARY AWARD PRESENTED TO CIFAL BRUSSELS
At the meeting of the SDG Awards jury, one of the nominated organisations was unanimously selected to receive an honorary award.
The recipient is CIFAL Brussels, an organisation that places the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the heart of its activities. Through its comprehensive, cross-cutting approach, CIFAL Brussels has been contributing for many years to increasing awareness of the SDGs and supporting their implementation in Belgium. In doing so, the organisation supports a diverse range of civil society stakeholders and fosters collaboration between them.
