2021 TRANSFORMATIVE ACTION AWARD - TIMELINE

Open for applications: 18 March 2021

Closing date: 23.59 (CEST), 31 July 2021

Transformative Action Award ceremony: October/November 2021

CONTACT

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Transformative Action Award, 2021

2021 TRANSFORMATIVE ACTION AWARD

The European sustainability award, co-organised by ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, the Basque Country, and the City of Aalborg (Denmark) and supported by the European Committee of the Regions and the European Investment Bank, is given to a city, region or civil society organisation, which uses the 15 pathways outlined in the Basque Declaration to bring about the socio-cultural, socio-economic, and technological transformation of their community.

The actions taken reflect local or regional contributions to the implementation of international goals and commitments, such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris Climate Agreement, and the European Green Deal.

Submit an application

REWARDS FOR THE WINNER

€10.000 to kick-start a Transformative Action in your city, region or municipality
Showcase on the Sustainable Cities Platform
Promotion through ICLEI website, ICLEI in Europe e-newsletter and social media channels
Publicity in publications related to sustainable development
A trophy and the right to be called ‘Transformative Action of the year 2021’
Digital ‘Transformative Action of the year 2021’ icon for use on websites, Social Media accounts and in email signature

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

We are looking for transformative actions with a high level of innovation, for example in terms of social innovation and civic economy, that inspire others to replicate the action elsewhere in Europe. Actions, which are part of an integrated approach to delivering sustainability in the city or region and are linked to the thematic areas of the EU Green Deal are particularly sought after. In particular, those related to biodiversity, sustainable food systems, sustainable agriculture, clean energy, sustainable industry, building and renovation, sustainable mobility, pollution control, and climate action.

Transformative actions should combine various pathways and address one or more agendas of the Basque Declaration, and should achieve a comprehensive transformation with a positive local or regional impact.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Applicants should complete and submit their application form by 23.59 (CEST), 31 July 2021 through the Transformative Actions Database.

All questions need to be answered using no more than the number of words allowed for each question. The insertion of links to videos, images and documents is allowed.

All submissions in the database, which fulfill the eligibility criteria and were not considered for the previous editions of the award, will be automatically entered into the 2021 Award.

Submit an application

MEET THE PAST WINNERS OF THE TRANSFORMATIVE ACTION AWARD

2020 WINNER: KATOWICE (POLAND)

Katowice won the 2020 Transformative Action Award
for using apps and environmental campaigns to
increase civic participation and to encourage
residents to help make the city more sustainable.

2019 WINNER: LOUSADA (PORTUGAL)

Lousada won the 2019 Transformative Action Award
for using environmental education to promote
environmental practices, create conservation areas
and create job opportunities in the environmental sector.

2018 WINNER: GHENT (BELGIUM)

Ghent won the 2018 Transformative Action Award
for their action which seeks to transform the city’s local food system
through participative governance models.

2017 WINNER: NILÜFER (TURKEY)

Nilüfer won the 2017 Transformative Action Award
for their action which aims to increase civic engagement and
participatory local democracy through Neighbourhood Committees,
the Nilüfer Energy Cooperative and the Nilüfer Innovation Center.

Any local or regional authority or civil society organisation located in any EU Member State, EEA country, EU candidate or accession country, or the United Kingdom that has endorsed the Basque Declaration and the Mannheim Message is eligible to submit an application.
The applicant is responsible for the implementation of the Transformative Action.
The Transformative Action must be in place for at least one month, but no longer than five years at the time of submission.
Although a number of temporary sustainability measures have been introduced to allow cities to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic, the award will only recognise measures that are consistent with the city’s broader sustainability goals, and actions, which the city hopes to make permanent post pandemic.
Entries in the Transformative Action Award Database which were considered for the previous editions of the Award (2020-2017) will not be considered for the 2021 award.