Innovative mobility projects wanted: Apply now for the Mobility Prize 2025!

Innovative mobility projects wanted: Apply now for the Mobility Prize 2025!

Mobility in North Rhine-Westphalia is picking up speed! The application phase for the 2025 Mobility Prize, worth a total of 30,000 euros, begins today. This prize, which is now being awarded for the third time, is aimed at innovative mobility projects that support the mobility transition and advance climate-friendly concepts. This addresses individuals, initiatives, companies, institutions, associations, groups and start-ups. The prize will be awarded on December 8, 2025 as part of the Mobility Day.NRW and is becoming increasingly important for the region. That's how it reports Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Transport North Rhine-Westphalia that interested projects can submit their applications until September 21, 2025.

The Mobility Prize.NRW is not only an excellent opportunity for creative minds, but also an incentive to promote sustainable mobility. The prize money is divided as follows: First place receives 15,000 euros, second place receives 10,000 euros and third place receives 5,000 euros. Experts and citizens are equally involved in the selection process. A committee of experts sifts through the suggestions and creates a shortlist, which is then evaluated by a jury of experts. Citizens can then vote on the winners.

Innovations that inspire

A look back at the past few years shows which exciting projects have already received awards. In 2023, the Mobiles Münsterland citizen laboratory and the on-demand offer “efi” in Leverkusen received awards, among others. In 2024, the Lüdinghausen Citizens' Bus Association can boast its on-demand project, which allows passengers to independently determine departure times and stops. The “After-Work Parking” project by Connected Mobility Düsseldorf GmbH, which activates unused parking spaces after the shop closes, and the e-bus depot in Cologne-Porz, which promotes emission-free local transport, were also honored with prizes. These initiatives impressively show how creative concepts can contribute to improving mobility and reducing CO2 emissions.

Looking for solutions

The pursuit of sustainable and environmentally friendly mobility is also a much-discussed topic in research. It's about reducing emissions and finding sustainable solutions. Initiatives such as car sharing, the expansion of local public transport and the trend towards alternative drive systems such as electric and hybrid vehicles are becoming increasingly important. Nevertheless, we face challenges such as limited ranges and the need to close regional gaps in charging infrastructure. Fraunhofer ISE researches this and develops innovative technologies to make the mobility of the future sustainable. Additionally you can click on the Fraunhofer ISE refer to, which pursues transdisciplinary approaches and takes into account various drive technologies.

Cologne and beyond

Not only in North Rhine-Westphalia, but throughout Germany, there is an increasing search for new ways to make mobility more efficient and more environmentally friendly. The Mobility Prize.NRW makes a valuable contribution here and encourages participants to use and further develop the variety of mobility solutions. The signs are good that the region is not only recognized for innovative mobility concepts, but is also actively involved in solving the challenges that the future presents us.

So if you have a project that improves mobility in your community or relieves the burden on the environment - don't hesitate and apply! It could be the key to a more sustainable future.