2020 TRANSFORMATIVE ACTION AWARD - TIMELINE

Open for applications: 31 March 2020

Closing date: 23.59 (CEST), 31 July 2020

Transformative Action Award ceremony: 01 October 2020, during the 9th European Conference on Sustainable Cities & Towns – Mannheim2020

CONTACT

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Transformative Action Award, 2020

2020 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 implements 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 are local or regional contributions to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement.

2020 TRANSFORMATIVE ACTION AWARD - WINNER

Katowice, Poland

Through their transformative action, Katowice has used apps and environmental campaigns to increase civic participation and to encourage residents to help make the city more sustainable. Through the wCOP drzewo <tree> app, residents can suggest places in the city where new trees should be planted. And through the NaprawmyTo.pl <Let'sFixit.pl> app, residents can identify problems - ranging from the need for new traffic signs, to maintenance needed to sidewalks - which they would like the city to address.

For more information, click here.

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 2020’
Digital ‘Transformative Action of the year 2020’ icon for use on websites, Social Media accounts and in email signature

AWARD CEREMONY

The winner of the 2020 Transformative Action Award will be revealed at an online award ceremony which will take place during the 9th European Conference on Sustainable Cities and Towns: Mannheim2020, 30 September-02 October. To learn more about the conference and to register for free to participate, visit: Mannheim2020.eu

SPECIAL MENTIONS, 2020 TRANSFORMATIVE ACTION AWARD

CEAR - Spanish Commission for Refugees received a special mention for their work on supporting the integration of refugees in Madrid (Spain) through food and cultural activities. Through the programme, seven culinary workshops were held, and 50 refugees found employment.

"CEAR - Spanish Commission for Refugees' Transformative Action reconfirms that on the local level people are ready to find humane, integrative and sustainable solutions in response to the refugee and migration crisis that divides the EU. Their action creates real local value and impact, reflecting that our responsibility does not end at national borders'' said Wolfgang Teubner, Jury Member and Regional Director, ICLEI Europe.

Groupe One & Urbike also received special mention for their Transformative Action, which consists of a digital platform that small- and medium-sized businesses can use to sell their products, as well as a shared logistics service. The platform and shared logistics service operates in Brussels (Belgium) and has allowed small- and medium-sized businesses to sell their products online, overcoming the obstacles caused by COVID-19 restrictions.

“Increasing shares of internet shopping can endanger local shops and destroy lively inner cities. This inspiring Transformative Action seeks to address this very issue. Through creating a digital platform and logistics service which small and medium sized businesses can use, Groupe One & Urbike have helped to strengthen the local economy” said Wolfgang Teubner.

MEET THE PAST WINNERS OF THE TRANSFORMATIVE ACTION AWARD

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 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 2019, 2018, or 2017 Awards will not be considered for the 2020 award.