As part of the 5th International Sustainability Forum, businesses and experts were recognized for their sustainable impact with the Sustainable Impact Award 2025.

The award was presented to those whose initiatives:

• strengthen the economy;
• develop communities;
• protect the environment;
• promote ethical governance and innovation.

Alina Sokolenko, Head of ASDE and member of the Advisory Board, noted that this year the Association decided to recognize those who are changing Ukraine and the world through sustainable impact.

“We are recognizing people, companies, and teams who are building responsible businesses, implementing innovations, and caring for communities and the environment. This recognition inspires new achievements.”

The competition jury reviewed applications, and ten nominees received awards in the following categories:

Environmental Leadership — tech-capTan SPOGAD — an impact fashion-tech startup developing plastic waste recycling technologies to create high-fashion products.

Social Impact and Community Empowerment — Elementum Energy — a company that in 2024 relaunched the Community Social Projects Competition, supporting initiatives in sustainable development, renewable energy, education, and social infrastructure.

Ethical Governance, Trust, and ESG Development in the Financial Sector — JSC “Ukrgasbank” (financial partner of the Loan Guarantee Fund under the UNIDO/GEF UKR IEE Project), which began its “green banking” journey in 2016 together with the International Finance Corporation (IFC). It became the first bank in Ukraine to actively finance environmentally responsible projects and made this the core of its business model by creating the “Eco Bank” brand.

Innovation and Best Available Technologies — ESG SaveEcoBot — next-generation “ecological profiling” technology that provides a real ESG picture of any enterprise.

Sustainable and Ethical Supply Chain — 3.14BAN — a Ukrainian upcycling brand from Kharkiv that transforms used banners, denim, and other materials into stylish bags, clothing, and corporate merchandise.

Partnership for Sustainable Development — Raiffeisen Bank, which has integrated sustainability principles into its operations, combining inclusivity, veteran support, and community rebuilding.

Eco-Leader of the Year and Social Innovator of the Year — Yevhenii Dovhaliuk, NGO SAVE AND EXPLORE and the Center for the Study and Preservation of Nature, Culture, and Architecture at Lake Supii.

Educational and Awareness Leader in Sustainable Development — Oleksandra Humenna, Professor at Vadym Hetman Kyiv National Economic University, lecturer, and author of over 130 scientific publications in Sustainability, Springer, and Palgrave Macmillan.

Youth Leader of Change (Youth Impact Award) — Oleksandra Hondiul, representing the Faculty of Journalism and the Department of International Journalism at Borys Grinchenko Kyiv Metropolitan University. She is among those systematically integrating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into Ukrainian journalism education.

Source: Association of Sustainable Development Experts (ASDE)