Your Mediterranean city could be the next winner of the Istanbul Environment Friendly City Award

The call for application for the fourth edition of the Istanbul Environment Friendly City Award (2022-2023) is open until 30 April 2023. The Award was established by virtue of Decision IG.22/19 of COP 19 of the Barcelona Convention, with the aim of recognizing efforts of local authorities in promoting sustainable development in Mediterranean coastal cities. It is one of the flagship initiatives of the Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development (MSSD 2016-2025). Cities located along the Mediterranean coast are invited to apply by demonstrating concrete steps taken and progress achieved to protect the environment, improve the quality of life, and promote sustainable development.

A simplified online application process

The representatives of candidate cities can now submit a streamlined application online through this platform supported by INFO/RAC. As a first step, users will have to register here to obtain credentials allowing them to complete the online application form.

The application form starts with general questions to better situate the urban context of the candidate city. These are followed by 15 indicators pertaining to four categories (COP 19 Decision – Istanbul Environment Friendly City Award), namely: Nature and biodiversity protection; Built environment; Socio-economic and cultural sustainability, and Policy and governance. It is recommended, but not mandatory, to provide qualitative and quantitative information for all indicators.

Applicants can gain an in-depth understanding of the assessment method by perusing the calculation guidelines.

A prestigious distinction

The first three editions of the Award went respectively to Izmir (Turkey) in 2017, Ashdod (Israel) in 2019 and Málaga (Spain) in 2021. Winners of the Award are invited to an award ceremony held during the Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention and its Protocols.

At the ceremony of the 2020-2021 edition, held during COP 22 of the Barcelona Convention, the municipality of Málaga received the Award from the First Lady of Türkiye Emine Erdogan. The achievements of runner-up cities, namely Genoa (Italy) and and Crikvenica (Croatia), were also applauded during the ceremony. COP 23 of the Barcelona Convention will take place in December 2023 in Slovenia.

Learn more about the Award and the application procedure