Celebrating
Local Solutions,
Inspiring Global Change

The 2026 Local Sustainability Award applications are now closed

The 2026 Local Sustainability Award recognises local governments at the forefront of a just and sustainable transition. Learn more about the 2026 criteria in the FAQ section below.

Local actions that change the rules, structures and narratives of the game – enabling a long-term, replicable and just transition – epitomise the values of the Local Sustainability Award.

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.

Koprivnica

2025 Local Sustainability Award Finalists

We are thrilled to announce the city of Grenoble (France) as the winner of the 2025 Local Sustainability Award, for Breath of Schools project!
 

Read about Breath of Schools project here.

See the Finalist projects in action here.

Congratulations also to the two runners-up:

  • Vilnius, Lithuania: Revitalise Vilnius project
  • Barcelona Metropolitan Area, Spain: Sustainability Protocol project

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.

Read more about all three 2025 finalist projects here.

#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!

Partners

ICLEI Europe

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.

CoR

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.

Frequently asked questions

Any local or regional government and its administrations and associated agencies in Europe, the Middle East and West Asia is eligible to apply for the award on behalf of itself or a group of project partners (e.g. including citizen organisations etc). This includes but is not limited to local governments located in Member States of the European Union, the European Economic Area, EU candidate or accession country. A local association, organisation, NGO or organised group of citizens who have been working with their local government or related agencies to bring about and implement a project in line with the previously laid out focus can also submit the application on behalf of its group of partners, as long as a local government agency is an official application partner. 

We are open to all those organisations, institutions or administrations that share our vision and passion and have a track record in supporting a fair and sustainable transition. If you are interested in partnering with us, please contact: award-europe [at] iclei [dot] org. 

The jury is forming its conclusion in several steps. First screenings of all eligible applications are conducted by jury members individually and evaluated according to a joint evaluation scale. Jury members meet in a second step to debate individual first screening results, resulting in a joint jury evaluation. 

For the 2026 edition, we invite applicants who are working toward systemic transformation in any of the following areas:

  • Structural change: reform of policies, regulations and planning frameworks to accelerate climate neutrality as a driver of competitiveness, innovation and a just transition.
  • Strengthening democracy: establishment of governance structures and processes that reinforce local democracy, empower citizens and build trust through transparency and participation.
  • Governance innovation: breaking down silos and enabling cooperation across departments, governance levels and sectors to create more integrated, innovation-friendly systems.
  • Partnership models: building long-term collaboration frameworks among stakeholders to co-create solutions and share responsibility for sustainability transitions.
  • Financial mechanisms: designing financing models and incentive structures that make local innovation a cornerstone of Europe’s green competitiveness.
  • Attitudinal and behavioural change: transforming how progress and sustainability are understood – fostering inclusive, transparent narratives that value wellbeing, liveability and collective responsibility.  

Read the 2025 Local Sustainability Award report to discover more about the 2025 winner and runners-up.

You can always support us by spreading the word about the award and its winning projects among your networks. If you are interested in partnering with the Award, please contact: award-europe [at] iclei [dot] org. 
 

Finalists will be asked to provide RAW footage and photos showcasing the project in action, with which our dedicated videographer will create one video on each project, and one compilation video of all three finalist projects. Should you still have questions, please contact us directly.

Yes, winners will receive an award trophy and benefit from promotional activities conducted by award partners in the media throughout the year, including a video showcasing the winning project. In addition, award partners will provide support and capacity building to winners on an interest and needs basis to take their projects to the next level. The winner will also receive one year of free ICLEI Europe membership.
 

Yes, award finalists will be invited to attend the award ceremony, location and date still to be confirmed. 

The data submitted through the award application form will be accessible to all jury members, as well as to award supporting staff at ICLEI and award partner organisations. The award applications are not shared outside of the group of award partners and jury members. All personal information is treated confidentially.

Please note that all shortlisted applications will be fact-checked.

Pisek-Sergey-Dzyuba

Our Partners

ICLEI Europe
CoR
Aalborg