2026/04/01
Budapest, 1 April 2026 – The opportunity for the general public to evaluate submissions for the Central European Creative Awards has now opened. Brought to life by Creative Hungary, the award, a renewed version of the Hungarian Design Award, aims to highlight outstanding achievements in the Central European creative industry on the international scene. The audience can vote for the best of more than 100 submissions until 30 April on the award’s official website.
Creative Hungary launched the award at the beginning of this year, building on the decades-long legacy of the Hungarian Design Award, with an expanded category system and a broader regional scope. Presented for the first time, the award aims to provide visibility for high-value-added creative industry players and, in the long term, to strengthen the position of the Hungarian creative sector within the region.
A total of 102 entries were submitted from Hungary and regional countries, including Poland, Slovakia, and Austria. The shortlist was compiled through a multiple-step professional process: First, the entries were evaluated by a panel of domestic and international experts, and the final decision was made by the Hungarian Creative Industry Council. Three outstanding entries were selected as finalists in each category.
For the Audience Choice Award, the audience can select their favourites from the entire shortlist, directly influencing the outcome. The award recognises the entry that garners the most attention and acclaim from the public. In addition to the award, professional prestige, and the unique award trophy, category winners will be granted a financial prize of HUF 1,500,000 (gross). Voting is open until 30 April on the official website of the awards.
The other categories of the Central European Creative Awards cover key areas across the creative industries, from fashion and product design to beauty industry packaging and game design, as well as presenting young talents and professional collaborations. Additionally, the Central European Creative Awards offer an opportunity for Central European creators to compete in a separate regional category. The categories aim to showcase the novelties in Hungarian creativity while also incentivising cross-border professional connections.
The finalist projects clearly reflect the diversity and current directions of the Central European creative industry. They include innovative, market-ready solutions, entries with strong visual and conceptual quality, and collaborative initiatives, with the young generation also strongly represented.
The Central European Creative Awards recognise outstanding achievements in the creative industry 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 present 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 CE Award allows creators and businesses from Central European countries to compete.
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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 internationally awarded 360 Design Budapest exhibition. 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.
