Submissions open for ESPO Award 2021

Port managing bodies are encouraged to submit their projects to the ESPO Award 2021.

Ports are central to urban economies and their surrounding communities. In a year which has seen much social and economic upheaval, ports have proved key in ensuring that goods could continue to reach consumers and industries. The ESPO Award 2021 will honour those ports contributing to the recovery and prosperity of the city and local community

The European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) represents the port authorities, port associations and port administrations of the seaports of 22 Member States of the European Union and Norway at EU political level.

The ESPO Award, established in 2009, promotes innovative projects being pioneered by port authorities that aim to improve integration between the port itself and the wider urban community.

Previous winners, which include POLIS members, Rotterdam (2018), Dublin (2015) and Stockholm (2011), have exhibited exceptional commitment to their local communities, going above and beyond to support the social, economic and environmental sustainability of their cities.

This year’s award, which is open to authorities associated with ESPO, takes the theme: “Role of ports in the recovery of the city and the local community”. Europe’s ports have been playing a critical and essential role for society and the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic by remaining open and operational throughout the whole crisis, and the EPSO is looking to acknowledge these efforts.

Applications close Thursday 1 July 2021 and the award ceremony will be held in Brussels in November this year. The application form and the terms of reference are available on the ESPO Website.

Find out more about submission here.