The Swiss Sustainability Challenge is open to individuals, as well as startups or nonprofit organizations that have been in existence for less than five years. The innovative idea (concept or project) submitted for the competition addresses a social and/or environmental problem, thereby contributing to sustainable development.

An innovation can enter the competition once or repeatedly. Innovations that have already been awarded once in the Swiss (Student) Sustainability Challenge are excluded. The submitted concepts/projects must have a strong connection to Switzerland either through the respective team and/or the place of implementation. Innovations from all parts of the country are welcome. The correspondence languages are German and English.

The maximum number of projects/concepts that can reach the final of the Swiss Sustainability Challenge is limited to 10 projects. If more concepts/projects are submitted, a preliminary jury will decide which concepts/projects make it to the final. The Swiss Sustainability Challenge team also reserves the right to refuse participation without justification or to exclude participants from the competition.

A final jury will select the three winners from a maximum of 10 finalists. The evaluation scheme of the Swiss Sustainability Challenge in both phases of the competition is based on the new DIN SPEC 90051-1 "Standard for the sustainability assessment of start-ups". The final decision on the finalists (after phase 1) and the three prize winners will be made by consensus of the respective jury following a discussion. 

Payment of the prize money is only possible to the extent of the cash amount and is made to a legal entity registered in the commercial register (company, association, etc.) or a sole proprietorship with an entry in the commercial register. Registration can take place before or during the Challenge, but must be completed before the prize money is paid out.