IMAGE: ICLEI Europe

The 2018 Transformative Action Award was launched today during the opening day of the

Urban Future Conference in Vienna (Austria) by ICLEI Regional Director and Transformative Action Award jury member, Wolfgang Teubner.

 

The award, organised by ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, the Basque Country and the City of Aalborg (Denmark), rewards ongoing or concluded Transformative Actions that use the 15 pathways outlined in the Basque Declaration to achieve the socio-cultural, socio-economic and technological transformation of societies.

 

“The Transformative Action Award celebrates the ambition of cities and municipalities to create sustainable communities,” said Karl Heinz-Lambertz, President of the European Committee of the Regions. “It sends a clear message that local democracy and citizen engagement are the driving force for a sustainable future,“ he added.

 

His words were echoed by Cor Lamers, Chair of the ENVE Commission of the European Committee of the Regions and Transformative Action Award jury member, who said: “The Transformative Action Award gives Europe-wide recognition to cities that are leading the way in terms of sustainability. Actions that reduce our environmental impact are urgently needed

and this initiative is an invaluable tool to make those actions happen.”

 

The competition is open to any local or regional authority, or civil society organisation located in an EU Member State, EEA country or EU candidate or accession country that has endorsed the Basque Declaration. The applicant must be behind the implementation of the Transformative Action and the Action must have been in place for at least three months,

but no longer than five years, at the time of submission. All applications must be submitted in full, in clear English. The application deadline is 30 June 2018.

 

Thomas Kastrup Larsen, Mayor of Aalborg (Denmark) and jury member, shared what he hopes to see from the 2018 entrants: “I look forward to inspiring entries from across Europe, showing the creativity of our cities and regions to make their communities more sustainable and better places to live for all.”

 

Ms. Arantza Acha, fellow jury member and UNESCO Etxea Director, added: “The 2017 Transformative Action Award entrants provided concrete examples of how local, multi-stakeholder dialogue and action, as guided by the pathways of the Basque Declaration, can enhance urban sustainable development and social inclusion. This year I am looking forward to seeing more of such innovative and inspiring actions.”

 

The winner of the 2018 Transformative Action Award will join last year’s winner, Nilüfer (Turkey), as a recognised leader of sustainable urban transformation in Europe.

 

To endorse the Basque Declaration, and enter a Transformative Action to the competition, visit the Sustainable Cities Platform.