Celebrate bold local and regional initiatives with us!
ICLEI Europe and partners proudly present the Local Sustainability Award. The award is all about recognising cities, towns and regions across Europe that are taking innovative steps to build more sustainable places and create a better future for their communities. Applications are open until 30 April.
Why apply?
Raise your town, city or region's profile and put your most ambitious projects and ideas on the map.
Build new relationships and partnerships to boost the transition.
Benefit from expert advice and support of award partners.
Finalists of the first edition of this award will be invited to a ceremony hosted as part of ICLEI Europe's European Urban Resilience Forum (EURESFO 2025) in Rotterdam, The Netherlands from 25-27 June 2025.
About the Award
Local governments are at the forefront of a just and sustainable transition. We believe that Shared Governance, Integrated Finance and a Cohesive Transition are key conditions and principles for achieving a truly holistic transition and a climate-neutral, competitive Europe. These principles were outlined by local governments in the Aalborg Conditions calling on national and EU partners to - together - create the right enabling conditions for local and regional governments to boost the transition. If you found new ways of working together across levels of governments and with different actors to come closer to one or all three of those conditions, submit your action, and help us showcase how local actions are truly making a difference!
#SharedGovernance
Are you breaking down barriers between levels of government and jurisdictions, sharing responsibilities and forming closer partnerships towards joint objectives? Share your projects following new approaches with us!
#IntegratedFinancing
Did you develop new, goal oriented financing models? Have you effectively blended different funding sources or models allowing you to develop and implement more holistic, long-term activities? Share your financing solutions with us!
#CohesiveTransition
Did you find effective ways and powerful narratives for engaging and empowering different societal groups to take charge of their transition? Tell us how you enable a cohesive and just transition in and with communities in your city, town or region!
The ceremony
The Award ceremony with winners and runner-ups will take place at the prestigious European Urban Resilience Forum (EURESFO) taking place from 25-27th June 2025 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. EURESFO is an annual platform that brings together city representatives, experts, and stakeholders to discuss strategies for adapting to climate change, managing disasters, and building urban resilience. Organised by ICLEI Europe and the European Environment Agency (EEA) since 2013, EURESFO fosters open and interactive exchanges on pressing urban resilience challenges.
Meet our Jury & Partners
ICLEI Europe is the European Secretariat of ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability, a global network of more than 2500 local and regional governments committed to sustainable urban development. ICLEI Europe supports local governments to build more sustainable, resilient and equitable communities. With the Local Sustainability Award ICLEI Europe aims to recognise, celebrate and support towns, cities and regions demonstrating outstanding contributions and commitment to excellence and leadership in sustainability in line with the Aalborg Conditions.
Through its projects, studies, and events, the Bertelsmann Stiftung stimulates debates and provides impetus for societal change. The common good and sustainability are the fundamental principles of its activities. With its Center for Sustainable Municipalities, the Bertelsmann Stiftung supports local actors in developing municipal sustainability management. On the SDG Portal (sdg-portal.de), it provides sustainability indicators for municipalities and as partner of the German Sustainability Award for Cities and Municipalities, the foundation supported local sustainability transformation in Germany for several years.
The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) is the European Union's assembly of local and regional representatives that provides sub-national authorities with a direct voice within the EU's institutional framework. The CoR provides direct input to all EU legislative initiatives with local and regional impact, including on topics such as climate change, energy, biodiversity, circular economy and zero pollution, playing an important advisory role in the EU legislative and political process.
The City of Aalborg, Denmark is a longstanding frontrunner city when it comes to driving local sustainability initiatives. In 1994, Aalborg hosted the very first European Sustainable Cities and Towns Conferences leading to the groundbreaking Aalborg Charter, which was followed 30 years later by the 2024 Aalborg Conditions, underlining the city's legacy and ambition of inspiring positive impact, lasting change and innovation across Europe. The Mayor of Aalborg is part of ICLEI Europe's regional executive steering committee.
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the lending arm of the European Union. The EIB is one of the biggest multilateral financial institutions in the world and one of the largest providers of climate finance. The EIB supports projects that make life in urban areas more sustainable. In 2024, the EIB provided €17.2 billion in support of sustainable cities and regions.
Frequently asked questions
Our Partners
