Vestische Pioneers enter fifth round

New year, new round: The Recklinghausen district, Sparkasse Vest Recklinghausen, and Radio Vest will award the "Vestische Pioniere" (Vest Pioneers) business prize for the fifth time in 2026. The prize recognizes companies in the Recklinghausen district that contribute to strengthening the local economy through responsible and future-oriented business practices. Until October 25th, committed companies from the Recklinghausen district can present themselves on the Vestische Pioniere website and thus be in the running for one of three jury prizes and one audience award.

The "Vestische Pioniere – The Award for Responsible Companies in the Region" competition is open to all companies in the Recklinghausen district , regardless of size or industry. Award-winning activities are characterized by their visible commitment to a sustainable region – for example, through sustainable products or services, volunteer work, a family-friendly corporate culture, or a special dedication to the training and professional development of employees and young talent. Submitted initiatives should ideally be current and already implemented; ideas or planned projects cannot be considered.

New application process

New this year: Companies can not only apply themselves, but also be nominated by others. Anyone who knows a company that deserves the award has the opportunity to nominate it via the website. "In recent years, we have already had the pleasure of recognizing many fantastic projects. They demonstrate the extent and, above all, the diversity of the commitment shown by companies in the Recklinghausen district . We would like to duly acknowledge this again this year and look forward to receiving exciting applications," says District Administrator Bodo Klimpel. All participating companies will be invited to an awards ceremony at the end of the year.

A panel of experts from the Recklinghausen district , Sparkasse Vest Recklinghausen , Radio Vest , the Münster Chamber of Skilled Crafts , the North Westphalia Chamber of Industry and Commerce, and the Westphalian University of Applied Sciences will evaluate the submitted entries. The three companies selected by the jury will each receive a donation of €5.000 to a charitable organization of their choice.

Citizens can vote for the audience award.

The public is also invited to participate: Citizens of the Recklinghausen district can vote until the end of the campaign period on October 25th to decide which company wins the audience award. The winner of the audience award will enjoy a team event with the Radio Vest bread delivery team. "Do good and talk about it. This saying perfectly describes the pioneers of the Vest region. Our companies have so much to offer that few people know about. We want to help bring these special stories to the public's attention," explains Julia Winterfeld, editor-in-chief of Radio Vest.

"Economy and sustainability can be combined effectively. Everyone who has participated in the competition in recent years has already proven this. Nevertheless, it is exciting every year to see how many possibilities there are and how the companies in the Recklinghausen district manage to continually inspire us with good ideas," adds Dr. Michael Schulte, Chairman of the Board of Sparkasse Vest Recklinghausen.