2026/03/03
Budapest, 25 February 2026 – The Central European Creative Awards, established as a renewed and regionally reimagined continuation of the Hungarian Design Award with more than four decades of professional heritage, has extended its application deadline. Coordinated by Creative Hungary, the newly launched award places outstanding creators and brands from the fashion, design, beauty, and gaming industries in the international spotlight; applications may now be submitted until 8 March 2026 instead of the originally announced 26 February deadline. The application is free of charge, and the winning entries will receive gross prize money of HUF 1,500,000 in addition to the award.
More Time to Present Regional Creative Achievements
The Central European Creative Awards builds on the professional legacy of the Hungarian Design Award, founded in 1979, and has been renewed with a refreshed perspective, an expanded category system, and a regional scope. The award aims to place the most outstanding creators and brands from the fashion, design, beauty, and gaming industries in the international spotlight, while establishing an economically meaningful quality hallmark.
“By extending the application deadline, we aim to ensure that more innovative, marketable, and high-quality professional creations have the opportunity to be presented. Our goal is to create a regional platform that brings Central Europe’s creative results together within a common framework and strengthen the region’s competitiveness in the long term,” said Zsófia Jakab, CEO of Creative Hungary and Ministerial Commissioner for Creative Industry Development and Sectoral Coordination.
Nine Categories, International Perspective
The award celebrates excellence across nine categories. Hungarian applicants can enter the Fashion Design of the Year, Product Design of the Year, Gaming Graphic Design of the Year, and Beauty Package Design of the Year categories. The Young Talent of the Year and Collaboration of the Year open a platform for the new generation and successful professional collaborations, while the Lifetime Achievement award recognises an outstanding Hungarian professional career. In the Audience Choice category, the audience selects the winner.
The regional category of the CE Awards provides an opportunity for creators and businesses from Central European countries — Austria, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia — to compete, fostering cross-border professional connections.
In addition to the recognition, the winners will receive gross financial support of HUF 1,500,000. The Hungarian Creative Industry Council decides the winners, involving recognised domestic and international experts in the process. The awards ceremony is planned to be held on 5 May 2026, in the House of Music, Hungary.
Extended Deadline
The Central European Creative Awards aims to become a defining and prestigious professional recognition in the Central European region, while increasing the visibility of export-ready brands and innovative initiatives that, in the long term, strengthen the region’s position in the creative industries.
New deadline for applications: 8 March 2026. Details of the call, category descriptions, and requirements are available on the award’s official platforms.
Call for the Official Trophy
In connection with the award, the call for the official trophy of the Central European Creative Awards remains open until 1 March 2026 for Hungarian fine and applied artists. Creative Hungary is seeking contemporary, distinctive concepts that visually reflect the values of Central European creativity, as well as the spirit of quality, innovation, and collaboration. Participation in the competition is free of charge.
***
Creative Hungary
Creative Hungary was founded in 2018 under the name Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency to support all actors in the fashion and design industries in an efficient and structured manner, following predetermined strategic pillars: professional coordination, enhancing Hungarian brands’ availability and trade opportunities, educational development and manufacturing development. In line with global trends, the boundaries between individual creative industries have expanded in recent years, with cross-disciplinary collaborations becoming increasingly important. In response to industry and technological changes, the Organisation’s scope of activities expanded in 2025. Today, Creative Hungary serves as the highest-level coordinating organisation of the Hungarian creative industry, encompassing the fashion and textile industries, furniture manufacturing and product design, offline and online game design, and the beauty and personal care industries. Its primary tasks include strategic cooperation with professional partners, increasing exports, and supporting Hungarian brands’ professional development through mentorship programmes. It is responsible for organising the region’s flagship fashion event, Budapest Central European Fashion Week, Budapest Design Week, and the 360 Design Budapest exhibition, which has received international awards. Additionally, it provides Hungarian creators with opportunities to participate in and debut at international professional events, including Milano Fashion Week and the Maison & Objet design fair.
© Creative Hungary. 2026. Minden jog fenntartva.
