Among the 100 projects submitted, the jury of this first design competition of Economic and Social Committee has chosen the "Bee House" (House of bees) Irish James Ennis, as the winner of the first European Award for a Sustainable Present. The project will be awarded with 10,000 euros and will be produced in the EU according to sustainability criteria and creativity.

We already know the winners Zeronine Design, organized by the Economic and Social Committee (EESC) to call professional designers and design students to submit ideas for innovative design and product development, focusing on energy efficiency, climate change and in promoting sustainable environmental protection. The idea was to motivate citizens to actively participate in saving the planet.

"United in diversity, living with the bio diversity" was the winning design concept behind "Bee house", which consisted of a box with windows that had flowers and was actually a room for bees. This highlighted the importance of the vital role of bees in food production and life in particular.

In his statement, the jury applauded the concern of the Bee House for biodiversity, which includes plants, animals and human life in a message that emphasizes the ecological values in modern life. James Ennis, the designer, born in Dublin in 1976 and now works in Milan.

His project will be laid along with the top 30 in an exhibition to be held in the Economic and Social Committee on 9 December in the European Year of Creativity and Innovation. This contest is the first public procurement procedure conducted by a European institution.

The second prize of 4,000 euros went to the project "Dynamic" by Mauro Amoruso in Turin, Italy. By transforming the human stress on green energy, the device can be used to recharge mobile phones.

The third prize of 2000 euros was for the project "Use less" by Dominika Rams, from Poland. Her project invites reflection and reduce energy and water consumption.

This is the first green public procurement procedure developed by a European body and resting on the design world. The winning Bee house will be produced in Europe and used by the Economic and Social Committee as a promotional gift and communication tool that aims to support the production and consumption.

You can find more information about the winners, as well as photos and project descriptions at the the Zeronine Design website.