Controlled Environment Agriculture Award 2026

The Finnish Glasshouse Growers’ Association (Kauppapuutarhaliitto ry) is seeking new innovations that can significantly benefit the Finnish greenhouse sector. The goal is to encourage companies, researchers, and individuals to create solutions that support greenhouse production. Ideas may relate, for example, to production, products, technology, or the development of operational practices. The total value of the prizes awarded is €10,000.

In the evaluation, particular emphasis will be placed on:

• novelty
• feasibility
• practical benefits (profitability, productivity, environmental friendliness)

The more developed the idea, the better its chances of success. Entries may also include ideas that are not patentable or otherwise protectable. Commercial products or innovations already widely adopted in Finnish greenhouse cultivation will not be awarded.

Participation Guidelines

All proposals will be treated with strict confidentiality, and all rights remain with the author of the proposal. The representative, organizers, or jury will have no rights whatsoever to the submitted ideas. If an applicant intends to protect their proposal, this must be done before the results are announced in autumn 2026.

The best ideas:

• may be featured at the New Technology Day organized by the Finnish Glasshouse Growers’ Association (Tampere, 29 October 2026)
• will receive visibility in the association’s communications and in Puutarha & kauppa magazine

Proposals that do not meet these rules may be excluded from the competition.

The jury may, at its discretion, consult external experts in the evaluation process who have not been involved in preparing the proposals.

Eligible participants include Finnish companies, organizations, universities and other educational institutions, research institutes, and private individuals. Members of the jury, persons involved in preparing the program, or staff of the Finnish Glasshouse Growers’ Association are not eligible to participate.

The jury consists of the board of the Finnish Glasshouse Growers’ Association together with experts selected by it.

The total prize sum is €10,000. The jury may decide to divide the prize or not to award prizes at all. The prizes are donated by the Garden Foundation (Puutarhasäätiö sr). The prizes are taxable income for the recipients.

The Innovation Award will be presented at the New Technology Day organized by the Finnish Glasshouse Growers’ Association in Tampere on 29 October 2026.

The submission period is from 26 May to 31 August 2026.

For further information, please contact Acting Managing Director Lassi Remes:
Tel. +358 44 675 8875
lassi.remes (a) kauppapuutarhaliitto.fi