Kastner Wins European Besties Industry Prize for “Kommunity”

The Kastner Kommunity has been awarded Silver at the prestigious EACA Besties 2026, recognizing outstanding agency-led initiatives across Europe.

Organized by the European Association of Communications Agencies (EACA), which represents more than 2,500 agencies in over 30 countries, the Besties celebrate excellence, innovation, and impact within the advertising and communications industry. This year marked a significant milestone, as the awards were opened to all EACA members and a newly introduced category, Agency Initiatives, was launched.

The award shortlisted projects that go beyond traditional agency work to create meaningful impact. Among a highly competitive field of internationally recognized entries, Kastner Kommunity stood out alongside major formerly multi-awarded initiatives such as the Brotherhood Programme by Ogilvy, dedicated to empowering Black creative talent.

At the award ceremony, Ed Palmer, Director of Value of IPA highlighted the significance of the Kastner Kommunity project:

“The Silver award goes to an initiative that successfully built a creative community around the agency, connecting advertising with broader cultural and artistic networks. The jury praised it for creating a sense of place, local engagement, and strengthening the agency’s awareness within the community while promoting creativity beyond traditional agency boundaries. A strong example of agency-led community building and cultural engagement.” – said Ed Palmer, Director of Value of IPA.

The award was accepted on behalf of the Kastner agency network by Andrea Tóth Creative Director and Judit Járadi Project Leader in Lisbon, at the EACA Sprint Summit.

The award means a great recognition of excellence to the whole team behind Kastner Kommunity:

• Korinna Tánczos, Head of Art and Curator;

• Virág Papp event & community manager;

• Polett Szakay, bar manager heading the barista team of 8 persons.

At a time when the communications industry faces rising expectations to deliver tangible societal value beyond brand campaigns, Kastner Kommunity offers a forward-thinking response. By addressing challenges around authenticity, cultural relevance, and genuine community connection, the initiative demonstrates how social impact can be meaningfully integrated into the core of agency operations while creating lasting value.

Kastner received the acknowledgement for the establishment of Kastner Kommunity that opened its doors in 2021 in Budapest as a vibrant community and cultural space that bridges the worlds of advertising, creativity, and local engagement. According to their knowledge this was the first ever such agency space where the office daily operation and an open cultural hub go hand in hand.

The recognition reinforces the project’s role as a pioneering model for how agencies can extend their impact beyond traditional business boundaries and foster meaningful cultural connections.

About Kastner Kommunity

Kastner Kommunity is a community-driven initiative by Kastner global agency network that combines a café, event space, and creative hub in Budapest. It provides a platform for collaboration, dialogue, and cultural exchange, bringing together professionals, artists, and the wider public.

About EACA

The European Association of Communications Agencies represents over 2,500 agencies across more than 30 countries, promoting the value, standards, and influence of the communications industry throughout Europe. It runs all European Effies, too.

2026 Besties – Agency Initiatives Winners

• Bronze: Brotherhood Programme – Ogilvy

• Silver: Kastner Kommunity – Kastner

• Silver: Germaine – Adrénaline