The ADI Compasso d’Oro International Design Award will be presented on the occasion of Specialised Expo 2027 Belgrade. Organised by the Associazione per il Disegno Industriale (ADI) in collaboration with the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), the award seeks to highlight designs that contribute to building a culture of play while addressing the needs and aspirations of society.

Recognising outstanding contributions to design, the new edition takes inspiration from the theme of Expo 2027 Belgrade, “Play for Humanity – Sport and Music for All”. In evaluating submissions, the jury will take into account the relationship between each design and the three sub-themes of the Expo: Power of Play, Play for Progress and Play Together.

On the occasion of the Participation Agreement signing ceremony today in Belgrade, BIE Secretary General Dimitri S. Kerkentzes said: "Every Expo asks important questions about how we live. Design is how these questions are answered in ways we can see, touch and use. Expo 2027 Belgrade asks a new question: what can play do for humanity? With today's signature, ADI and the Compasso d'Oro become part of this common endeavour, bringing the design community into the heart of the Expo.”

The ADI Compasso d’Oro International Design Award was first organised on the occasion of Expo 2015 Milan, in line with the Expo’s theme “Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life”. The most recent edition was held last year on the occasion of Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai. There, 20 designs received the award and 35 received an honourable mention for their relevance and utility with regard to the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives”.

Building on the success of previous editions, the ADI Compasso d’Oro International Design Award reflects the key role of Expos in encouraging and showcasing bold innovations in the realm of design.

Submissions for the Expo 2027 Belgrade edition of the ADI Compasso d’Oro International Design Award can be made via the dedicated website – compassodorointernational.com – before 20 January 2027. Products, product systems, services and events may be submitted within nine categories. Entries are limited to designers or companies from countries participating in Expo 2027 Belgrade. Winning submissions will be showcased during the Expo, and the award ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Expo site on 24 May 2027.

Set to welcome over 140 international participants, Expo 2027 Belgrade is the first Expo to take place in the Western Balkans and will welcome visitors from around the world between 15 May and 15 August 2027.

Expos are global events that explore a chosen theme through engaging and immersive discoveries. Among the different categories of Expos, Specialised Expos are designed to respond to a precise challenge facing humanity and may take place in the interval between two World Expos. Specialised Expos are limited in terms of duration - lasting up to three months - and space - with the exhibition area not exceeding 25 hectares. The site is entirely built by the Organiser, Participants being provided with pavilion space.