Former Hungarian President János Áder, now head of the Blue Planet Climate Protection Foundation, has officially announced that the Planet Budapest 2026 sustainability expo will take place next February at the Hungarian Railway Museum. The announcement was made during his visit to the Our Common Future — Carpathian Basin Environmental Competition awards ceremony in Mezőörs, where Áder served as patron of the event.
According to the foundation’s statement, the long-running competition—organized since 2002 by the Hungarian Workshop Public Benefit Foundation and Folk High School—has grown from a local event to a national initiative since 2014. This year, the contest focused on climate change, with a particular emphasis on water-related issues.
Open to upper primary students, high schoolers, and university students, the competition received close to 1,000 entries. Participants were required to complete knowledge tests and engage in tangible ‘green actions’, such as organizing clean-up drives, creating green zones, or educating peers. Older students also submitted essays and research papers, with finalists presenting their findings in person on 13 June at the Folk High School in Mezőörs.
In his speech, Áder stressed that the global population is approaching 10 billion, while the planet’s freshwater resources remain unchanged. He emphasized the urgent need to find ways to produce sufficient food and ensure clean drinking water, using this fixed supply.
Áder encouraged students to maintain their interest in climate issues and share their knowledge in accessible ways to reach broader audiences. He also invited them to participate in Planet Budapest 2026, which promises a month-long programme of interactive sustainability exhibitions and educational experiences.
Among the university winners, Brigitta Horváthné Dani took first place for her research on the impact of waste on aquatic ecosystems. Second place went to Virág Soós, who analysed the interplay between the water cycle and climate change, while third prize was awarded to Péter Végh for his essay exploring the complex hydrology of forest ecosystems.
The Planet Budapest expo, organized by the Blue Planet Foundation, will mark its third edition in 2026, continuing its mission to raise awareness about sustainability through innovation and education.
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