Award "FUTURE needs DIVERSITY" - apply now!

22.04.2024 - It's a premiere with a difference: launch of the initiative to celebrate diversity in companies.

The Hannover Region's Economic and Employment Promotion Agency is presenting the "ZUKUNFT braucht VIELFALT" award for the first time. The award is aimed at companies from the Hannover Region that stand out for their outstanding commitment to diversity.

Diversity is a decisive competitive and location factor

Different dimensions of diversity, such as age, ethnic origin and nationality, gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, physical and mental abilities, religion and ideology as well as social background - all of these are part of everyday life.

This diversity - as successful companies know - is a decisive competitive and location factor that contributes significantly to the economic success of regions. Studies show that a diverse workforce leads to greater crisis resilience, higher employee satisfaction and increased innovative strength. However, it is also the social responsibility of companies to value this diversity and create appropriate opportunities for participation.

To highlight and reward this responsibility, the Hannover Region has launched the "FUTURE NEEDS DIVERSITY" award and cordially invites all companies to apply for the prize and share their approaches and best practices in the area of diversity.

"We know that companies from the Hannover Region are committed to valuing diversity with creative, but also simple and effective measures. And we would like to shine a spotlight on this "

Steffen Krach, Regional President and patron of the award

"I am already looking forward to reviewing the applications and am excited to see which examples are particularly exemplary."

Ulf-Birger Franz, Head of Economic Affairs and jury member

Award Zukunft braucht Vielfalt — Award Future needs diversity

The award is presented in three categories - small & medium-sized companies with 10 to 249 employees, medium-sized companies with up to 499 employees and a special Transformation Award - and is endowed with 5,000 euros each.

A seven-member jury made up of representatives from companies, the Chamber of Skilled Crafts, science and the Hannover Region will carefully review the applications and select the winners. The award ceremony will take place on June 20, 2024 as part of the business development agency's summer reception at Hannover Adventure Zoo.

Applications can be submitted until May 26, 2024. By the way: Nominations from third parties are also possible. Anyone who knows a company that deserves an award can simply nominate it. The employees of the Hannover Region will then contact the company and take care of everything else.

Diversity is becoming increasingly important as a location factor. Companies and organizations are increasingly recognizing the value of diversity in their teams and work environments. Different cultural backgrounds, experiences, perspectives and skills can help to promote innovative ideas, attract the attention of committed specialists to companies and increase a company's performance and resilience.

This creates a competitive advantage. The aim of the "Future needs diversity" initiative of the Hannover Region's Economic and Employment Promotion Agency is to inform companies about existing support services and "good practice" in this context, as well as to identify and, if possible, initiate missing services.

Interested? All information about the award, the application and the "Future needs diversity" initiative can be found here