The projects
Circular Berlin
(Germany),
Leuven2030
(Belgium) and
the City of Lousada
(Portugal) have been shortlisted as the finalists of the 2019
Transformative Action Award.
Now in its third year, the Award recognises projects that contribute to
the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris
Climate Agreement and the achievement of the socio-cultural,
socio-economic and technological transformation of societies, using the
15 pathways
outlined in the
Basque Declaration
.
“
The 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.
In the running for the title of “Transformative Action of the year
2019” are:
-
Circular Berlin
, for advancing circular economy in the German capital, through
providing platforms for engagement and knowledge exchange and
supporting local actors through collaboration;
-
Leuven2030
, for bringing together all local stakeholders to create a
comprehensive roadmap to a carbon-neutral future, and for creating
an innovative governance model to implement it, and
-
The City of Lousada
, for using environmental education to promote environmental
practices, inspire and support alternative ways of creating
conservation areas and job opportunities, and reconnecting local
citizens with their rural landscape.
“
I would like to extend my congratulations to each of the finalists
and indeed to all who applied for this year’s edition of the Award
,” said Cor Lamers (NL/EPP), Mayor of Schiedam, Chair
of the CoR's ENVE Commission and jury member. “
It is encouraging to see such a high number of strong entries. Each
of the finalists highlights the local, innovative and inspiring
steps cities, towns and civil society organisations take to tackle
climate change in order to preserve and restore our planet, make
our economy more circular and our citizens healthier. Such projects
transform our societies for the better,
” he added.
From the strong field of 40 applications, the jury also singled out the
City of Umeå
(Sweden), for a special mention for their transformative action, which
consists of a public library for sports-equipment, toys and leisure
items.
“Umeå deserves particular recognition for their inspiring and
heartening transformative action, which allows children to overcome
economic barriers to participating in cultural activities, fosters
inclusion, and supports and strengthens the local community, while
reducing environmental impact,”
said ICLEI Europe Regional Director and jury member, Wolfgang Teubner.
The award ceremony will take place on 21 November 2019, at the European
Committee of the Regions (CoR). The winner will receive €10.000 to
kick-start a Transformative Action in its city or region or
municipality.
The winner will also receive a trophy, the right to be called
“Transformative Action of the year 2019” alongside a free entry and a
presentation at
Mannheim2020
, a European conference which offers cities and urban stakeholders a
platform for inspiration, action and the commitment to take
sustainability to the next level. From 30 September to 2 October 2020,
Mannheim will bring together over 800 participants and 100 speakers,
acting as the multi-level interface between the European Union and
sustainability action at local level.
For more information and to learn more about the finalists, click
here
.
Background:
The Transformative Action Award is co-organised by
ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, the Basque Country, and
the City of Aalborg (Denmark) and supported by the European Committee
of the Regions and the European Investment Bank.
ICLEI Europe – Local Governments for Sustainability
is a global network of more than 1,750 local and regional governments
committed to sustainable urban development. Active in 100+ countries,
we influence sustainability policy and drive local action for low
emission, nature-based, equitable, resilient and circular development.
Our Members and team of experts work together through peer exchange,
partnerships and capacity building to create systemic change for urban
sustainability.
The
Basque Declaration
outlines new pathways for European Cities and Towns to create
productive, sustainable and resilient cities for a liveable and
inclusive Europe. The document aims to support and accelerate
socio-cultural, socio-economic and technological transformation. The
Basque Declaration is the next step for local sustainability following
the
Aalborg Charter
(1994) and the
Aalborg Commitments
(2004). The Basque Declaration highlights the need for ambitious local
leaders to think outside the box and find innovative ways to engage
with civil society in order to meet economic, environmental and social
challenges and at the same time marks the importance of finding
sustainable solutions that increase economic value for the benefit of
the local population.
The
European Sustainable Cities Platform
was launched in 2016, following the
8th European Conference on Sustainable Cities & Towns
in the Basque Country. Supported by the City of Aalborg, Denmark; the
Basque Country, and ICLEI Europe, it focuses on the uptake of
the Basque Declaration
, which is the main outcome of the 8th European Conference
on Sustainable Cities & Towns. The
9
th
European Conference on Sustainable Cities & Towns
will take place from 30 September - 2 October 2020 in Mannheim
(Germany).
For a selection of downloadable photos from the 2018 Transformative
Action Award ceremony, visit our
Flickr album
.
ICLEI Contact:
robert.morrow@iclei.org
CoR Contact:
david.crous@cor.europa.eu