Sustainable Cities Platform launches new edition of Transformative Action Award

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The sixth edition of the Transformative Action Award has been launched by the Sustainable Cities Platform. Local and regional governments, as well as civil society organisations advocating Europe’s sustainable urban development, can now apply for a €10.000 grant to get their urban transformation idea off the ground in their local community.

The Transformative Action Award is given every year to a local authority or organisation that, in addition to furthering the implementation of the European Green Deal at the local level, uses the 15 pathways outlined in the Basque Declaration to promote the transformation of local communities.

The Basque Declaration was adopted at the 8th European Conference on Sustainable Cities and Towns, which took place in the Basque Country between April 27 and 29, 2016. The declaration laid out new directions for European cities and towns to follow in order to build productive, sustainable, and resilient cities for a more livable and inclusive Europe. Moreover, it emphasises the need for local authorities to think outside the box and develop innovative strategies to involve civil society in addressing economic, environmental, and social issues.

‘’More than 80,000 towns and cities across Europe are responsible for ensuring the wellbeing of their citizens and local environments, while implementing 70% of all EU legislation. Local actors are at the heart of sustainable transformation and policy, and the annual Transformative Action Award seeks to recognise these innovative efforts,’’ the European Committee of Regions stated on their website.

In addition to receiving €10.000 to kick-start a Transformative Action in the local community, the winner will have an opportunity to have its work showcased on the Sustainable Cities Platform and social media channels, as well as through the ICLEI website and ICLEI Europe e-newsletter. Furthermore, the winner will be featured prominently in publications relating to sustainable development.

Spain’s La Titaranya SCCL was the winner of last year’s Transformative Action Award. The expert panel chose this winning concept because of its strong potential to accelerate socio-cultural change in a rundown neighbourhood in Valls, Catalonia. 2021 also marked the fifth anniversary of the award.

With assistance from the European Committee of the Regions and the European Investment Bank, the Transformative Action Award is organised by ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability and the Danish city of Aalborg.

Sustainable Cities Platform announced on their website that any local or regional authority or civil society organisation in an EU Member State, EEA country, or EU candidate country that has backed the Mannheim Message is eligible to enter the competition.

European Mayors finalised the Mannheim Message on September 21, 2020. The Message was formally handed to the European Commission on October 1, 2020, as part of ICLEI Europe and the City of Mannheim’s 9th European Conference on Sustainable Cities and Towns.

In this message, local authorities are invited to be essential partners in the development of Local Green Deals and the European Green Deal, which will be utilised as key tools to help Europe transform into a more sustainable continent. The Mannheim Message is primarily addressed to local and European politicians, but also to individuals and organisations of civil society.

Due to the fact that a large majority of Europeans currently reside in urban areas, it is an absolute necessity that cities, mayors and other local authorities take an even bigger role in making a shift towards a greener, more inclusive and sustainable Europe.