Royal FloraHolland Sustainability Award 2025; the award for sustainable innovations in floriculture

This year, Royal FloraHolland introduced the Royal FloraHolland Sustainability Award. This is the updated version of the Greenovation Award. The focus of this award goes beyond environmental impact. In addition to environmental aspects, the new award also focuses on social involvement, responsible entrepreneurship, and technological innovation. With this award, Royal FloraHolland wants to offer a platform to growers who are pioneers in sustainable progress. We asked jury member and sustainable development manager Maarten Bánkí why the award is so important.

"Sustainability is an important theme in our sector. Many growers are investing heavily in sustainability and sustainable innovations. This is also essential for the future viability of our sector. For me, sustainable innovations are not just about environmentally friendly packaging or smart water conservation, but also include technological innovations, adapted business processes, unique business structures, and good employment practices. In this day and age, there are many eyes on our sector, which is why it is particularly important to demonstrate the steps being taken in our sector. The Sustainability Award can provide a platform for these innovations."

How did the idea for the Royal FloraHolland Sustainability Award come about? Was there a specific moment or reason?

"The award is the revamped version of the Greenovation Award. We noticed that most of the entries for the Greenovation Award focused on the environmental aspect of sustainability. At Royal FloraHolland, we approach sustainability from the ESG pillars, of which the environment is one component. With this revamped award, we invite growers to also share innovations in the areas of social initiatives and governance (corporate management). By offering member-suppliers a platform for their sustainable efforts, we also hope to inspire other companies. This promotes progress throughout the entire sector."

How does Royal FloraHolland help participants to take their ideas further, even after the award?

Five nominees are selected from all the entries. These can be national or international member-suppliers. These growers are filmed with their innovation. The video will be shown extensively before the award ceremony, but also afterwards. In addition, the three winners receive a budget to further market their innovation. The winner is promoted as an ambassador for sustainability both within and outside our sector.

Why is it important to put sustainability in the spotlight right now?

“There are many sustainable initiatives in our sector, but I notice that they often go unnoticed. That's a shame, because it is precisely by giving these initiatives a platform that we can inspire each other and make the role of sustainability in floriculture visible outside the sector.”

What will the jury be looking for?

“There are several criteria that we as a jury will be looking for. Sustainability, impact, and feasibility are all factors that we will be considering. It also helps if the submission contains a good and clear story. For us as a jury, it doesn't matter how big or small the innovation is; any innovation that brings about sustainable change is welcome as an entry.”

Interested? Sign up!

Every sustainable innovation, large or small, is welcome to enter the Sustainability Award. Register before September 1, 2025. It only takes a few minutes. Sign up via the registration form

Find more information here: Sustainability Award.