The UNEP/MAP-Barcelona Convention Secretariat is mandated by the Contracting Parties to award two distinctions as part of efforts to promote sustainability in the Mediterranean region under the Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development (MSSD), which covers the decade from 2016-2025.
The Sustainability Awards offered within the framework of the UNEP/MAP-Barcelona Convention system constitute an asset in the promotion of a greener and more resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Istanbul Environment Friendly City Award (IEFCA), mandated by Decision IG.22/19
Funded by the Government of Türkiye, the Istanbul Environment Friendly City Award was established in 2016 under MSSD Flagship Initiative 3.1.9: “Promote the Environment Friendly City” Award”.
In the MSSD, this Flagship Initiative comes under Under Strategic Direction 3.1: “Apply holistic and integrated spatial planning processes and other related instruments, as well as improved compliance with respective rules and regulations, to increase economic, social and territorial cohesion and reduce pressures on the environment”.
The IEFCA recognizes efforts of local authorities in Mediterranean coastal cities where citizens enjoy a high quality of life and where sustainable development takes place within the carrying capacity of healthy ecosystems.
A Mediterranean environment friendly city is defined as “a coastal city in harmony with the sea, utilizing its resources efficiently, equitably and sustainably, reducing its impact on marine and coastal environment and climate change, and managing the environment for the benefit of current and future generations”.
The IEFCA aims to encourage local authorities to move towards a more environment friendly future while raising public awareness about the quality of the environment in coastal urban settings. It celebrates the achievements of awardees as paragons that can inspire other cities around the Mediterranean.
Learn more about the IEFCA Award
The WeMed Award, mandated by Decision IG.24/3
MedWaves (the UNEP/MAP Regional Activity Centre for Sustainable Consumption and Production) inaugurated the MedAward in 2021 under MSSD Flagship Initiative 5.4.5: “Create and promote a Mediterranean business award for environmental innovation”.
In the MSSD, this Flagship Initiative comes under Under Strategic Direction 5.4: “Encourage environmentally-friendly and social innovation”.
The WeMed Award recognizes business achievements, but also the efforts of public authorities, academia, support organizations, financial institutions, civil society organizations and other stakeholders in creating an enabling environment for green entrepreneurship.
The WeMed Award aims to inspire entrepreneurs and promote a green business ecosystem conducive to the implementation of SDG 12 “Responsible production and consumption” in the Mediterranean.
