What is the Postcode Lottery Green Challenge?
The Postcode Lottery Green Challenge is a contest that rewards inventions that successfully combine sustainability, entrepreneurship and creativity. The jury looks for products and services that contribute to an eco-friendly lifestyle, directly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and score highly on convenience, quality and design.

Who's behind the Postcode Lottery Green Challenge?
The Dutch Postcode Lottery is the organiser of the competition.

Why do this?
Climate change presents a pressing challenge for us all. The world needs help embracing a new, greener lifestyle, and one bright idea can make a big difference. We started the Postcode Lottery Green Challenge to promote the invention of great new green products and services. With ideas like these, the whole world wins.

Where and how do I enter?
Anyone 18 years or older with a well-thought-out idea is invited to participate in the Green Challenge. To do so, you must complete the entry form on this website. Make sure to answer all the questions on the entry form; otherwise it cannot be submitted.

What if my idea doesn't fit any of your categories?
Every idea could be placed in a category all its own. But that would make the judging process impossible. Therefore, you must select the category that most closely fits your idea.

How many entries did you receive last year?
This year, ideas had to be sent in by the 31 July. We received 313 in-depth ideas that could contribute to fight climate change. Read the press release for more information.

When do I find out if I am a finalist?
The preliminary jury will telephone all the finalist on 7 September.

What happens to the ideas that don't win?
We're in touch with a number of organisations that are interested in helping to realise ideas that don't win. On your entry form, you can give these parties permission to contact you directly. The purpose of the Challenge is to get people to think about products and services that can make the planet greener. We hope many of these ideas will be realised – not just the ones that take the prizes!

What happens if I get selected as a finalist?
On 7 September, you will be invited to come to Amsterdam from 18 to 23 September. Your travel and accommodation will be arranged and paid for. Professionals will help you to prepare a presentation for the jury. We'll also arrange a number of other interesting meetings for you at PICNIC.

We are entering as a team. Can we all come to Amsterdam if our team is selected as a finalist?
Only one person will be invited to come to Amsterdam. This person will be required to present the idea to the jury on behalf of the group.

Who were the previous year's finalists?

Our 2009 finalists were:

Dean Gregory (winner): Power Collective Limited
Robert Matthams (runner-up): Shiply.com
Hjalmar van Raemdonck (runner-up): Ephicas SideWing
Sanne Castro: SimGas
Robin Chase: Open Road
Michael Mathres: Mootral

Our 2008 finalists were:

Eben Bayer (winner): Greensulate™
Capra J'neva (runner-up): Veranda Solar
Jochen Mundinger: routeRANK
Peter Yeadon: SmartScreen

Our 2007 finalists were:

Igor Kluin (winner): Qurrent
Damien O'Sullivan: Solar Lampion
Michel Smit: Sustainable Dancefloor
Andy Hobsbawm: Green Thing
Michael Hendriks: CityCargo