Sustainability Award

Dieser Frage widmete sich der diesjährige Gewinner des Nachhaltigkeitspreises, der am 25. September 2025 im Rahmen der Immatrikulationsfeier der Hochschule für nachhaltige Entwicklung (HNEE) von der Stadt Eberswalde verliehen wurde.

In diesem Jahr ging die mit 1.000 Euro dotierte Auszeichnung an Maximilian Eisele für seine Masterarbeit mit dem Titel „Workplace Democracy: Ein Ansatz zur Überwindung von Herausforderungen in der Nachfolgeplanung und im Nachfolgemanagement“. Diese herausragende Arbeit entstand im Studiengang „Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation“ und überzeugte die Jury, die aus zwei Bewerbungen auswählte.
Herr Eisele setzte sich gegen eine weitere Abschlussarbeit durch, die sich mit dem Etablieren und dem Erhalt von städtischem Grün beschäftigte. In der Arbeit wurde die Praktikabilität der Methode des sogenannten „Biotopflächenfaktors“ unter die Lupe genommen.
Die Jury hob besonders die wissenschaftliche Qualität und das hohe Praxis-Transferpotenzial von Herrn Eiseles Arbeit hervor. Sie zeigt auf, dass Nachhaltigkeit ein Querschnittsthema ist, das nicht nur in Bereichen wie Ökologie und Naturschutz verankert ist. Deshalb ist es besonders erfreulich, dass diesmal eine Arbeit mit betriebswirtschaftlichem Hintergrund ausgezeichnet werden konnte, die den Fokus auf soziale Aspekte lenkt. Der Preisträger untersucht, wie sich demokratische Strukturen in Unternehmen und Organisationen auf Nachfolgeplanung und Nachfolgemanagement auswirken. Dazu führte Herr Eisele selbst entwickelte Umfragen mit Unternehmen durch. Bei deren Auswertung kristallisierte sich heraus, dass „Workplace Democracy“ viele positive Effekte auf Unternehmen und Organisationen haben kann – nicht nur in der Nachfolgeplanung.
Auch Eberswalde steht vor der Herausforderung, dass kleine und mittelständische Unternehmen Probleme damit haben, eine passende Nachfolge zu finden. Die Folgen sind leerstehende Geschäfte und Betriebe oder der Einzug von Ladenketten.
Der Beitrag von Herrn Eisele ebnet den Weg für ein innovatives Konzept, das dabei helfen kann, diesen Prozess zu verlangsamen, das Angebot in der Stadt vielfältig zu erhalten und Arbeitsplätze nachhaltig zu sichern.
Ein weiterer nennenswerter Nebeneffekt der „Workplace-Democracy“ ist ein positiver Einfluss auf die Gesellschaft im Allgemeinen. Menschen, die auf der Arbeit Wertschätzung und Selbstwirksamkeit erfahren, sind laut der Recherche von Eisele auch im Privatleben solidarischer, politisch interessiert und ehrenamtlich aktiver als solche, die in streng hierarchischen Strukturen arbeiten.

2024 Sustainability Award for theSanitation and Nutrient Transition

This year, the Sustainability Award ceremony took place on 26 September 2024.
The award went to Lina Balcke for her Bachelor’s thesis entitled ‘Initial commissioning of a pilot plant for the nitrification of separately collected urine: design, implementation and proposals for system optimisation’. This outstanding piece of work was produced within the Department of Landscape Use and Nature Conservation and impressed the jury, who selected it from among several entries.
Ms Balcke prevailed over two other final-year dissertations, which dealt with the creation of heat hazard maps for Eberswalde town centre and an ecological and economic comparison of management methods for permanent forest-like structures.
The jury particularly highlighted the scientific depth and high practical application potential of Ms Balcke’s work. The award winner investigated how urine collected separately can be stabilised through nitrification and thus made usable as fertiliser. As part of her thesis, she commissioned a pilot plant for urine treatment and monitored the course of the trial.
At the start of her thesis, she introduced the Eberswalde-based partner organisation ‘Finizio’, which operates dry separation toilets, including at festivals and within the Eberswalde urban area. She also explains the theoretical principles underlying the topic, including urine as a raw material, nitrification for stabilisation, and how the urine treatment plant works. Despite a breakdown of the plant, which led to the premature termination of the experiment, Ms Balcke developed valuable proposals for system optimisation at technical, chemical and practical levels. The award winner encouraged the new students, saying that even when things do not go entirely to plan, ‘important insights’ can still be gained.
Her dissertation forms part of the zirkulierBAR research project, which aims to drive forward the approval of fertilisers derived from human waste. The town of Eberswalde is a project partner, alongside numerous other stakeholders. Ms Balcke’s work supports the development of an innovative method for treating urine, which enables nutrients to be recycled, water to be saved and CO₂ and particulate matter pollution in Eberswalde to be reduced.
As the award winner was unable to attend the matriculation ceremony, the award presentation took place at a later date at the Urban Development Office.

On 23 September 2021, the town of Eberswalde presented the 2021 Eberswalde Sustainability Prize as part of the matriculation ceremony at the University of Applied Sciences for Sustainable Development (HNEE).

This year, Silvan Weber received the Sustainability Prize, worth 1,000 euros, from Mayor Friedhelm Boginski for his Master’s thesis entitled ‘Bogs in urban areas as a contribution to climate protection: Assessing the current state of bog areas within the Eberswalde urban area and deriving initial options for action’, which was produced within the Department of Landscape Use and Nature Conservation.

With his thesis, Mr Weber prevailed over three other entries from four candidates, whose topics ranged from the temporary use of urban brownfield sites and vacant properties, through an investigation into young people’s perception of space and its influence on the availability of attractive, usable spaces for this target group, to the development of new communication strategies for leaders in the field of sustainable development.

The jury assessed the prize winner’s thesis as outstanding, scientifically very sound and possessing high potential for practical application. Mr Weber’s thesis first addresses the theoretical foundations, such as the weather in Brandenburg and climate change projections, the formation of peatlands in Brandenburg, an assessment of the condition of the peatlands, and their significance for climate change and adaptation to it. Subsequently, the graduate compiled a list of 149 bog areas in Eberswalde, mapping and surveying some of them, and determining the carbon storage capacity for 130 of them – the urban bogs sequester a total of 580,000 tonnes.

“Mr Weber’s work demonstrates very impressively just how important bog conservation is for climate protection – and that this is particularly true here in Eberswalde,” said Mayor Friedhelm Boginski. “The practical recommendations for action, as developed by Mr Weber, are a particularly valuable asset for us as a local authority, especially as he has also taken into account who owns which areas,” added the mayor.

The City of Eberswalde’s Sustainability Prize honours graduates of the university who, through exemplary academic work, make a special contribution to the city’s sustainable and forward-looking development. In this way, the town demonstrates its strong commitment to sustainable urban development. The aim of the prize is also to serve as a role model and source of inspiration for first-year students. The prize highlights that the findings of students’ final projects provide important impetus for urban development and are incorporated into the actual design of the town. Applications for the prize, which is now awarded annually, can be submitted by 31 August each year.

On 23 September 2021, the town of Eberswalde presented the Eberswalde Sustainability Prize as part of the matriculation ceremony at the University of Sustainable Development (HNE). This year, Silvan Weber received the Sustainability Award, worth 1,000 euros, from Mayor Friedhelm Boginski for his Master’s thesis entitled ‘Bogs in urban areas as a contribution to climate protection: Assessment of the current state of bog areas within the Eberswalde urban area and derivation of initial options for action’, which was produced within the Department of Landscape Use and Nature Conservation.
With his thesis, Mr Weber prevailed over three other entries from four candidates, whose topics ranged from the temporary use of urban brownfield sites and vacant properties, through an investigation into young people’s perception of space and its influence on the availability of attractive, usable spaces for this target group, to the development of new communication strategies for leaders in the field of sustainable development.

The jury assessed the prize-winner’s thesis as outstanding, scientifically very sound and possessing high potential for practical application. Mr Weber’s thesis first addresses theoretical foundations, such as the weather in Brandenburg and climate change projections, the formation of peatlands in Brandenburg, an assessment of the condition of the peatlands, and their significance for climate change and adaptation to it. Subsequently, the graduate compiled a list of 149 peatland areas in Eberswalde, mapping and surveying some of them, and determining the carbon storage capacity for 130 of them – the urban peatlands sequester a total of 580,000 tonnes.

“Mr Weber’s work demonstrates very impressively just how important bog conservation is for climate protection, and that this is particularly true here in Eberswalde,” said Mayor Friedhelm Boginski. “The practical recommendations for action, as developed by Mr Weber, are a particularly valuable asset for us as a local authority, especially as he has also taken into account who owns which areas,” added the mayor.

On Wednesday, 28 October 2020, the town of Eberswalde presented the 2020 Eberswalde Sustainability Prize as part of the matriculation ceremony at the University of Applied Sciences for Sustainable Development (HNEE), which was held via livestream for the first time this year.
This year, Lucie Kauffmann received the Sustainability Prize, worth 1,000 euros, from Mayor Friedhelm Boginski for her Master’s thesis entitled ‘Bringing Colourful Diversity to the City! Strategies for Promoting the Acceptance of Native Wild Plants in Public Spaces’, from the Department of Landscape Use and Nature Conservation, within the Regional Development and Nature Conservation degree programme.
With her thesis, Ms Kauffmann prevailed over five other entries from all four departments of the university, whose topics ranged from the ecological renovation of a block of flats, through ways of connecting stakeholders and biotopes, to new forms of participatory democracy. It became apparent that civic engagement, participation and acceptance were recurring themes in almost all the theses.
The prize winner’s thesis was also entirely devoted to the topic of increasing acceptance of wild plants in public spaces – the so-called flower, wildflower or insect meadows. Following an analysis of successfully established wild plant projects from across Germany, Ms Kauffmann formulated practical recommendations on how to increase acceptance of urban flowering meadows amongst citizens as well as other stakeholders. For example, plants with attractive flowers or the careful use of plant species often associated with weeds help to boost public support. Furthermore, intensive public relations work and direct, personal dialogue with local residents should always take place.
“For our urban flower meadows, this thesis provides a valuable contribution to our day-to-day work, particularly when it comes to maintaining and creating new flower meadows,” says Mayor Friedhelm Boginski. “Furthermore, this thesis, like the other submissions, is a testament to the excellent cooperation between the city and the university,” adds the mayor.
The City of Eberswalde’s Sustainability Award honours graduates of the university who, through exemplary academic work, make a special contribution to the city’s sustainable and forward-looking development. In this way, the town demonstrates its strong commitment to sustainable urban development. The aim of the prize is also to serve as a role model and source of inspiration for first-year students. The prize highlights that the findings of students’ final dissertations provide important impetus for urban development and are incorporated into the actual design of the town. Applications for the prize, which is now awarded annually, can be submitted by 31 August each year.

26. September 2019

On Thursday, 26 September 2019, the City of Eberswalde presented the City of Eberswalde Sustainability Prize for the first time as part of the matriculation ceremony at the University of Applied Sciences for Sustainable Development (HNEE).

This year, Ms Yasmin Hiller received the Sustainability Prize, worth 1,000 euros, from Mayor Friedhelm Boginski for her Bachelor’s thesis entitled ‘The Cemetery as an Ecological Niche’, completed within the Department of Forestry and Environment as part of the Forestry degree programme.

The jury assessed the thesis as scientifically rigorous, going far beyond the scope of a typical Bachelor’s thesis, and as having particular practical applicability. To arrive at these findings, Ms Yasmin Hiller spent a year researching the flora and fauna in cemeteries in general and, specifically, at the churchyard in Berlin-Lichtenrade. As part of this, numerous extensive studies of the wildlife were carried out, using, for example, Barber traps, wildlife cameras and bat detectors. (A Barber trap is a container buried at ground level used to catch ground-dwelling animals such as beetles, snails or spiders). The thesis also includes recommendations for specific measures for the future management of cemetery grounds. The ecological potential of cemeteries can thus be preserved and, at the same time, enhanced in a cost-effective manner – for example, through insect-friendly planting. In her thesis, Ms Hiller also highlights the research potential of the role of cemeteries in the context of climate change and the importance of cemeteries for quality of life in urban areas.

The City of Eberswalde’s Sustainability Award recognises graduates of the university who, through exemplary academic work, make a special contribution to the sustainable and forward-looking development of the city. In this way, the city demonstrates its forward-looking commitment to sustainable urban development. The aim of the prize is also to serve as a role model and source of inspiration for first-year students. The prize highlights that the findings of students’ final dissertations provide important impetus for urban development and are incorporated into the actual design of the city. All academic disciplines at the university are covered: for example, organic farming, international forestry, timber technology, sustainable business management, Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), nature conservation and landscape management. Applications for the prize, which is now awarded annually, can be submitted by 31 August each year.