Applications open for the DAME Design Awards charity partner
The DAME Design Awards celebrates its 35th anniversary later this year and has launched its search for this year’s beneficiary of the competition’s significant charitable grant for official charity partner.
Qualifying organisations will be committed to good causes of close interest to the industry. These may include charities active in the fields of ocean health, sustainability, workforce development, inclusion, participation and technological innovation.
The deadline for applications for the official charity partner is 10 April 2026. See application information below.
The DAME Awards are announced during the Metstrade opening ceremony at RAI Amsterdam on 17 November 2026. Metstrade will run 17-19 November 2026, with the Superyacht Forum running 16-17 November 2026.
Tessa Meijer, exhibition programme manager of the DAME Design Awards, says: “The leisure marine sector faces major challenges and opportunities. The DAME Design Awards encourages all leisure marine equipment manufacturers to produce designs that brilliantly fulfil their objectives, grow markets and contribute to a better future. That is why we are looking for a charity that wants to make an impact together with us.”
The selected charity will receive asignificant financial grant comprising 100 per cent of all participant fees collected for the 2026 DAME Design Awards. The chosen charity will gain significant exposure at Metstrade 2026, the world’s largest trade fair for the leisure marine industry, and will have a display within Metstrade 2026 in one of the key high footfall feature areas of the show within RAI Amsterdam.
Through this charitable partnership, Metstrade will continue to increase its social impact and provide a platform for a charity that aligns with the core values of the awards: promoting authentic progress in all aspects of design development including innovation, ease of use and sustainability.
The charity will have access to an international network of innovators, companies, and decision-makers, a year of visibility through the communication channels of Metstrade and the DAME Design Awards and opportunities for storytelling, fundraising, and collaboration with the sector
Charities should apply by 10 April 2026. Applications must be submitted online.
Early plans for the 2026 edition of Metstrade were revealed last year.
DAME Award impact
DAME Design Awards’ entrants have generated donations totalling €304,000 for 15 carefully assessed organisations since the introduction of entry fees in 2008. In 2025, The Ocean Conservation Trust was presented with a grant of €21,900 to support the restoration and growth of sea grass for the oceans.
Metstrade fully funds the DAME Design Awards with the twin objectives of making a significant contribution to the development of the marine leisure industry and to ensure that 100 per cent of all entry fees are applied directly to good causes. The final choice of DAME Design Awards charitable beneficiary each year is made by the Metstrade Exhibition Committee, comprising leisure marine industry leaders who represent the interests of all exhibiting participants at the show.
Timeline and how to apply
Application deadline: 10 April 2026
Selected charity announced: Beginning of June 2026
Donation presented: during the Metstrade opening ceremony at RAI Amsterdam on 17 November 2026.
Apply online at https://www.damedesignawards.com/charity.
