Eurocities Awards

Eurocities is the network of major European cities. Our members are the elected local and municipal governments of major European cities. Eurocities was founded in 1986 by the mayors of six large cities: Barcelona, Birmingham, Frankfurt, Lyon, Milan and Rotterdam. 
 
Eurocities awards showcase outstanding achievements by our member cities in the delivery of local activities or practices which improve the quality of life for citizens. The theme of the awards changes every year in line with the Eurocities annual conference. 
 
Each year, we invite our member cities to submit examples of projects and practices of which they are particularly proud. Entries are submitted in one of three categories, which usually remain the same from year to year but occasionally change to accommodate the theme of the annual conference.
 
With the exception of 2013, the three Eurocities awards categories are as follows:
  • innovation: innovation in the planning and implementation of activities or practices by a local authority
  • participation: activities or practices of a local authority which are successful in actively promoting citizen participation
  • cooperation: awarding cooperation efforts undertaken by a local authority together with partner organisations 

The Eurocities awards have been running since 2006. Past examples of winning projects include a project encouraging citizens to become successful community leaders in Bristol; a cultural network designed to improve quality of life for elderly citizens in Espoo; and the renewal of an old industrial island in Bydgoszcz to become a centre of culture, leisure and entrepreneurship.

Many of these projects have gone on to achieve further success at national and European level.

Each shortlisted award entry is required to submit a short video of its project. You can browse the shortlisted entries and winners using the awards menu on the Eurocities website.

Website: www.eurocities.eu

Institutional profile: https://use.metropolis.org/experts/eurocities-awards

Case studies

67 case studies available.

Gijon’s Citizen Card
Award
Gijon, Spain

Gijon’s Citizen Card

A single card, Gijon’s Citizen Card, allows Gijon's citizens to pay their bus fare, hire a bike and take out a library book. Today, 250,000 of Gijon’s citizens – 80% of the city’s population - carry this card, unlocking services and facilities across the city.

BEACH - online employability advice
Award
Brighton and Hove, United Kingdom

BEACH - online employability advice

BEACH (Brighton & Hove Employability Advice and Careers Hut) is a website that was developed to improve young people’s employment chances. It offers employability advice specifically relating to the local situation and was designed for young people, by young people

Entrepreneurs for the Future (e4f )
Award
Birmingham, United Kingdom

Entrepreneurs for the Future (e4f )

Young startup businesses benefit from tailored support and being part of a community. That’s what makes Birmingham’s ‘Entrepreneurs for the Future’ (e4f) programme stand out: it offers bespoke support and the chance to join a network of like-minded startups.

Edinburgh Outdoors
Award
Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Edinburgh Outdoors

Edinburgh Outdoors is a digital service launched in February 2013 providing a new way for locals and tourists to enjoy Edinburgh’s parks and green spaces.

Helsinki Region Infoshare (HRI)
Award
Greater Helsinki, Finland

Helsinki Region Infoshare (HRI)

In 2010, the cities of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area began sharing public data for anyone to use freely. These open datasets, available through a web platform (www.hri.fi), make it possible for citizens to develop applications and follow public decision making.

Youth election project U18
Award
Berlin, Germany

Youth election project U18

The U18 initiative is a simulated vote that takes place nine days ahead of real ‘adult’ elections, either local or national. The project is designed to generate an interest in politics amongst young people and supplement their political education.

La Colaboradora: a P2P co-working space promoting collaborative economy
Award
Zaragoza, Spain

La Colaboradora: a P2P co-working space promoti...

A co-working space where a community of some 200 entrepreneurs, freelancers and creative professionals each dedicate four hours of their time every month in return for support with launching their projects. The principle is an exchange of services, ideas and knowledge through a ‘bank time’ approach.

SynAthina: a social innovation platform
Award
Athens, Greece

SynAthina: a social innovation platform

Citizens, policy-makers and private sector representatives come together to build a collaborative, grassroots vision for change in Athens.

Migrant Access Project
Award
Leeds, United Kingdom

Migrant Access Project

A citizen-led initiative to build relationships between newly arrived migrants and service providers.