If you are a city, find below the categories in which cities can compete for the 2026 Awards. The winners of the main categories will be recognised across various European Union and international platforms during the New European Bauhaus Festival in Brussels and other main EU events during 2026. Each winning city will receive a tailored, actionable report designed to support its specific urban strategy, identifying city-level gaps and proposing targeted solutions to advance more inclusive and environmentally sustainable urban development.
Green and Inclusive City of the Year – This is the main award, divided in 3 parts and will be won by the city with the highest score - according to the Inclusive and Green City Index (see here for more details) - demonstrating its leadership in creating a sustainable, green, inclusive and healthy urban environment. Three different cities will be chosen for the award, as follows:
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best scoring large city (with a population greater than 500.000 inhabitants);
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best scoring medium city (with a population between 50.000 and 500.000 inhabitants);
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best scoring small city (with a population less than 50.000 inhabitants).
Green City Award – This will be awarded to the city with the highest score in the “Environment” dimension of the Inclusive and Green City Index, demonstrating its leadership in reducing pollution, supporting sustainable mobility, and promoting the access to green spaces.
Inclusive City Award – This will be awarded to the city with the highest score in the “Social Inclusion” dimension of the Inclusive and Green City Index, demonstrating its leadership in promoting diversity and equality, accessible housing, and quality education.
Healthy City Award – This will be awarded to the city with the highest score in the “Health” dimension of the Inclusive and Green City Index, demonstrating its leadership in promoting an equitable access to healthcare, supporting mental and physical health for all.
Details on participation fees are provided at the following link
All participating cities will receive a summary report highlighting city-specific areas for improvement, along with a synthesis of relevant financial instruments and funding sources to support the implementation of identified interventions.
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If you are a company, find below the categories in which you can compete for the 2026 Awards. All the categories are open to both for profit and non-profit companies.
The winners of the main categories will be recognised across various European Union and international platforms during the New European Bauhaus Week in Brussels and other main EU events in 2026. Each organisation will be granted a one-year membership in the association, providing the opportunity to participate in future activities and to engage with forthcoming EU funding calls.
There's a partecipation fee for this category.
Zero-pollution Innovator of the Year – This will be awarded to the company with the most innovative product for reducing air, water, soil or noise pollution in cities and the most innovative product for supporting a shift to sustainable mobility in cities, including emission-free vehicles, tools for promoting active mobility, new micro-mobility e-vehicles, etc.
Diversity and Inclusion Innovator of the Year – This will be awarded to the company with the most innovative product for supporting diversity and inclusion in cities, such as cooperative housing, digital tools for citizens participation, etc.
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Healthy City Innovator of the Year – This will be awarded to the company with the most innovative product to promote physical and mental health for citizens in an urban environment.
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Startup for Sustainable Cities – This will be awarded to the startup with innovative ideas and solutions with strong potential, scalability and replicability in other cities.
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Details on participation fees are provided at the following link
