The shortlist of the Central European Creative Awards is now public, and with it, audiences are invited to cast their votes. Established by Creative Hungary as a renewed and expanded evolution of the Hungarian Design Award, the initiative aims to bring outstanding achievements from the Central European creative industries into international focus.
The public can vote for their favorite projects from more than 100 shortlisted entries on the official website until April 30. The Audience Choice Award stands out as it is decided entirely by public vote, recognizing the project that captures the greatest attention and appreciation. Launched in early 2026, the award builds on the decades-long legacy of the Hungarian Design Award, while introducing an expanded category system and a strong regional perspective. Its long-term goal is to strengthen Hungary’s position within the regional creative industry and to highlight high value-added creative work on an international stage.
A total of 102 submissions were received for the inaugural edition, not only from Hungary but also from across the region, including Poland, Slovakia, and Austria. The shortlist was selected through a multi-stage professional evaluation process: entries were first reviewed by a panel of national and international experts, while the final decisions will be made by the Hungarian Creative Industry Council. Three finalists have been selected in each category.
The award categories cover a wide spectrum of the creative industries, from fashion and product design to beauty packaging and game design, as well as categories dedicated to emerging talents and professional collaborations. A dedicated regional category, the CE Award, provides a platform specifically for Central European creators and companies. The shortlisted projects reflect the diversity and current directions of the region’s creative sector. They include innovative and market-ready solutions, projects with strong visual and conceptual quality, as well as initiatives born from cross-disciplinary collaboration. The presence of the younger generation is also notably strong.
Winners in each category will receive not only professional recognition and a unique trophy, but also a gross financial award of HUF 1.5 million. The official award ceremony will take place on May 5, 2026, at the House of Music Hungary, in front of a professional audience. The Central European Creative Awards recognize outstanding achievements across nine categories, including Fashion Design of the Year, Product Design of the Year, Gaming Graphic Design of the Year, and Beauty Package Design of the Year. Additional categories highlight young talents, successful collaborations, and include a Lifetime Achievement Award.
