Applications for the “Sustainability Leadership Recognition in Robotics” session at the European Robotics Forum (ERF) 2025 are now open. This initiative recognizes organizations and teams that make a significant contribution to environmental, social, and economic sustainability through innovative robotic solutions. The goal is to highlight these efforts and inspire the robotics community to engage more strongly in sustainability.

Sustainability leadership in robotics

Robots have the potential to drive sustainability—whether by combating climate change, improving recycling, reducing production waste, or supporting social applications. At the same time, it is essential that the production and disposal of robots are also designed sustainably.

The principles of sustainability, as defined in the 1987 Brundtland Report, emphasize the balance between economic growth, environmental protection, and social inclusion. This award highlights best-practice examples that combine sustainability and robotics to create a healthier and more equitable future.

Application process

The initiative recognizes outstanding contributions from the robotics community in two areas:

1. Robots for sustainability: How can robots support sustainability?
2. Sustainability of robots: How can robots be developed and used sustainably?

Applications can be submitted until February 16, 2025 (11:59 PM CET). An expert jury will select candidates who will be invited to present their projects at a workshop at the ERF. All applicants will be featured in a short video that will be shown at the beginning of the workshop.

Who can apply?

Eligible to participate are organizations, teams, and individuals from the EU who meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Development of robots to support sustainability
• Use of robots to promote sustainability
• Focus on sustainable robotics production
• Initiatives to promote sustainability in robotics

Eligible participants include, among others, SMEs, start-ups, EU-funded projects, research organizations, large companies, and end users.

Benefits of participation

• Presentation of the projects at a workshop at ERF 2025
• Inclusion in a video summary
• Extensive coverage on ERF channels
• Certificate at the award ceremony on March 26, 2025
• Feedback from the expert jury

Two participants will additionally receive:

• ARIA Travel Awards (€500 travel support each)
• Free tickets for ERF 2025

Contact and application

Please send applications with a project summary and presentation (max. 20 slides, PDF format) to:
robotics4sustainability@gmail.com

Further Information:
Sharath.Akkaladevi@profactor.at, Franziska.Kirstein@gmail.com

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