The Zollverein UNESCO World Heritage Site in Essen has been awarded the 2025 German Sustainability Award in the Cultural Industries category. This prestigious recognition highlights the venue’s comprehensive commitment to ecological, social, cultural, and economic sustainability – setting a national benchmark for holistic transformation. The Zollverein Foundation impressed the 240-member expert jury with its integrated sustainability strategy.
Once the world’s most productive coal mine, Zollverein has evolved into a unique place where history, innovation, and responsibility converge. Located in the heart of the Ruhr region (Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia), the former industrial site is now one of Germany’s most impressive culture and event venues. The German Sustainability Award recognizes Zollverein not just for individual green projects, but for embedding sustainability as a guiding principle across all areas of operation.
"For us, sustainability is not just a buzzword – it’s the compass that guides all our actions," says Prof. Dr. Hans-Peter Noll, Chairman of the Zollverein Foundation, which is responsible for preserving and developing this historic industrial landmark.
The foundation has successfully aligned the four key dimensions of sustainability – ecological, social, cultural, and economic – to create a best-practice model for the sustainable transformation of former industrial sites.
The 2025 German Sustainability Award spotlights the foundation’s efforts not only in pursuing climate neutrality and sustainable mobility, but also in promoting social inclusion, biodiversity, and educational initiatives. The vision: to shape Zollverein into a "Place for Everyone", where people of all backgrounds and generations can come together and actively contribute to a shared, sustainable future.
This prestigious award reinforces Zollverein’s role not only as a symbol of industrial heritage, but as a modern hub for creativity and events. With over 1.7 million annual visitors, the UNESCO World Heritage Site has become a leading cultural and event destination in the Ruhr area. Its compelling mix of historical backdrop and forward-thinking use offers a unique setting for events focused on sustainability, innovation, lifestyle, and leisure.
Event formats at Zollverein are as diverse as the venue itself – from major conferences and creative workshops to inclusive public festivals. The venue consistently showcases how sustainability can be practically implemented in event management.
At EventMasterBook.de (and in our sister publication, the marketing magazine marketingScout.com), you’ll find several case studies of events hosted at Zollverein. These articles showcase the venue’s potential to deliver immersive experiences for a wide range of audiences and objectives.
Here are some examples (from the original German version):
- Design Event: The Red Dot Museum exhibits the world’s best communication design. (Read article)
- Public Event (Party): "Illusion and Reality" – the Zollverein Foundation hosts Masquerade Ball No. 1. (Read article)
- B2B Event: BRANDmate 2025, a networking event fostering brand collaborations. (Read article)
- Sports Event: Kick-off for the 2025 Deutschland Tour cycling race. (Read article)
- Leisure Event: "The Coolest Pool in the World" – a multi-week summer attraction. (Read article)
These examples represent only a fraction of Zollverein’s wide-ranging event program.
Editor’s Note:
Every cultural and event venue should carefully consider which goals and audiences it wants to address and which modern event formats are best suited to achieve them. A well-curated event portfolio should always place sustainability at its core. Zollverein’s integrated sustainability strategy, uniting the four pillars of ecology, culture, society, and economy, serves as a role model for the cultural, creative, and event industries.
Cover Image: The iconic winding tower at the Zollverein UNESCO World Heritage Site (Copyright by Zollverein Foundation, Photo: Jochen Tack)
Related topics: Event venue, Zollverein, German Sustainability Award 2025, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Zollverein Foundation, industrial heritage, coal mine, transformation, integrated sustainability, best-practice model, sustainable events, Culture, Business, Ruhr Area
Summary: The Zollverein Foundation (Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia / Germany) has received the German Sustainability Award 2025. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Zollverein sets new standards for the transformation of former industrial complexes. With a holistic approach that unites ecological, social, cultural, and economic goals, Zollverein stands as a pioneering model for the culture, creative, and event sectors.
Please note: This text was translated from the German EventMasterBook.de Event Magazine (see article: Deutscher Nachhaltigkeitspreis geht an Zollverein.) Please excuse any translation errors.
