The 2021 Transformative Action Award is now accepting applications from cities, regions, and civil society organisations who are pioneering transformative actions to create sustainable, resilient, and liveable cities.
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), Paris Climate Agreement, and the European Green Deal.
Actions that 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 and nature-based solutions.
In addition to joining previous winners Katowice (Poland), Lousada, (Portugal), Ghent (Belgium), and Nilüfer (Turkey) as recognised leaders of sustainable urban transformation in Europe, the winner of the 2021 award will receive 10,000 EUR to help initiate further transformative actions in their city or region.
The Transformative Action Award is organised by ICLEI, the Basque Country and the City of Aalborg (Denmark) and supported by the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) and the European Investment Bank (EIB).
The competition is open to any local or regional authority, or civil society organisation located in an EU Member State, EEA country, EU candidate or accession country, or in the United Kingdom that has endorsed the Basque Declaration and Mannheim Message. The application deadline is 31 July, 2021.
The Mannheim Message calls for five core systemic changes and nine key policy shifts needed to bring about transformation for a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable Europe. Further, it demands that local authorities be key partners in the development of Local Green Deals and the European Green Deal, which are seen as key tools to facilitate this transformation.
The Basque Declaration outlines 15 pathways European cities and towns can use to create productive, sustainable and resilient cities for a liveable and inclusive Europe. These pathways provide cities and towns with the tools they need to localise the SDGs and implement Local Green Deals in their communities.
For more information about the award and how to apply, click here.
Image: 21 November 2019, 26th meeting of the ENVE commission and the Transformative Action Award ceremony, Belgium - Brussels - November 2019 :copyright: European Union / Nina Paukovic