i-work: Intercultural Business Award

Embracing and promoting diversity: with the i-work 2026

Following a hiatus last year, the i-work – Intercultural Business Award for Jena and the region – returns in 2026. Jena Business Development honours companies that successfully integrate international professionals and actively foster intercultural diversity.

We are looking for good practical examples that demonstrate how international teams contribute to success. Whether you are a globally positioned company or a smaller business just starting out on this path: we look forward to receiving your application for the i-work 2026 – the application period closes on 31 May 2026.

All participating companies will be given the opportunity to take part free of charge in a workshop on intercultural competence and organisational development run by a local partner. The winning company will also receive personalised one-to-one coaching to help them implement their own ideas and structures even more effectively.

Apply now for the i-work 2026!

New for 2026: Easier applications, more targeted support & stronger networking

We have taken the feedback from our i-work community seriously and, together, have optimised the i-work Intercultural Business Award so that it can have an even greater impact.

Simplified application: You can apply in just a few steps – with a short online form followed by a video interview, without the need for extensive documentation or long texts.
Added value for everyone: All participating companies receive an intercultural workshop to support them in their next development steps and to foster ongoing exchange within the community.
One-to-one coaching for the winner: A trophy is great – and so is personalised coaching with a service provider of your choice. In future, the i-work winner will be able to further develop their own intercultural skills in a targeted manner with external support.
Personal jury assessment: An experienced panel of experts visits selected companies on-site to gain an authentic impression. Different criteria (company size, sector, etc.) are fairly taken into account in the assessment.
Award ceremony as a networking event: The i-work award ceremony will take place on 9 September 2026, offering an ideal opportunity to exchange ideas and gain new contacts and inspiration from the international community.

Apply now for the i-work 2026!

How to apply

Apply quickly and easily:

Online application
Fill in the short form below (approx. 10–15 minutes)
Application deadline: 31 May 2026
Video interview
You will receive an invitation to a personal digital interview and spend around 30–45 minutes speaking with our colleagues from the Skilled Workers Service. You will receive the questions in advance so you can prepare.
Pre-selection by the jury
Our jury members will assess your application based on standard criteria. Various factors, such as company size and sector, will be taken into account.
Company visit
Our jury visits selected companies to gain a personal and comparable impression on site. These visits will take place in July and August and will be arranged with you in advance.
Award ceremony
The i-work Intercultural Business Award will be presented on 9 September 2026 at the Scala in the JenTower, Jena.

Who can apply?

The i-work Intercultural Business Award is open to:

small, medium-sized and large companies based in Jena
organisations in Jena with international staff
companies in Jena looking to attract international skilled workers
companies from the Saale-Holzland district

Important: Even if you are just starting out – we would very much like to receive your application.

Application

Applications for the i-work Intercultural Business Award are open until 31 May 2026. You are welcome to complete the application form in English.

Bewerbung zum i-work interkultureller Unternehmenspreis 2026

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Unternehmen | Company | Institution(Required)

Website

Branche | Industries

Anschrift | Address

Street Address Address Line 2 City ZIP / Postal Code

Kontaktperson | Contact Person(Required)

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Telefon | Phone(Required)

für Rückfragen und Terminvereinbarung | for enquiries and to arrange an interview

Position im Unternehmen | Position within the company

Unsere Motivation für den i-work | Our motivation for the i-work(Required)

Warum bewirbt sich Ihr Unternehmen um den i-work 2026? Warum sollten Sie den Preis gewinnen? Tipp: Nennen Sie 3–5 starke Argumente, gern mit Beispiel oder Ergebnis. Was macht Ihren Ansatz besonders? | Why is your company applying for the i-work 2026? Why should you win the award? Tip: Give 3–5 strong arguments, preferably with examples or results. What makes your approach special?

Why the i-work is important for your company

International professionals are a key driver of innovation, growth and competitiveness. Companies that promote diversity within their teams benefit from new perspectives, better solutions and greater employer appeal.

With the i-work Intercultural Business Award, you:

position yourself as a modern, cosmopolitan employer
boost your visibility in the competition for international talents
expand your network within the business community and the region
receive valuable feedback from experts

Review of the i-work 2024

2024 once again focussed on inspiring examples of open-mindedness in action. On our review page you will find all information about the award ceremony, the award winners, the jury and impressions with a photo gallery.

Review of i-work 2024