Since 2010, the European Commission organises the Access City Award, in collaboration with the European Disability Forum, to reward EU cities that have prioritised accessibility for persons with disabilities.

Accessibility improves the quality of life of everyone, but it is indispensable for more than 100 million EU citizens with disabilities to have equal access to fundamental rights and to all the cities have to offer. 

A city is accessible when persons with disabilities can, for instance:

• get information (online and offline).
• use transport (e.g., buses, trams, metros) and its related infrastructure.
• enjoy public spaces, like parks and playgrounds.
• get in and around buildings like the city hall, library and sports hall, and access to their services

Access City Award 2025

Applications for the Access City Award 2025 are open from 27 June 2024 until 10 September 2024 at 23:59 CEST.

Applications must be made by completing and submitting an online application by 10 September 2024 23:59h at the latest.

This year is particularly important as it marks the 15th anniversary of the award. Over the past 14 years, 70 cities have been awarded, including 14 1st prize winners among them. The most recent city to receive the prestigious award was San Cristóbal de La Laguna (Spain).

Awards

The winner and runners-up will receive a monetary prize:

• 1^st place: EUR 150 000
• 2^nd place: EUR 120 000
• 3^rd place: EUR 80 000

In addition, the EU Jury may decide to award up to five “Special Mentions” if there are cities that have done exceptional work in a particular key area of accessibility (e.g., built environment and public space, transport and related infrastructure, information and communication, including ICT or public facilities and services).

This year, the European Commission also intends to award an ‘Accessible Sports Infrastructure’ Special Mention to a city that demonstrates how they feature accessibility in their sports infrastructure. 

Who can apply?

The Access City Award is open to

• all EU cities of over 50 000 inhabitants
• urban areas composed of two or more towns with a combined population of over 50 000 inhabitants, if they are in EU countries with fewer than 2 cities with over 50 000 inhabitants

Selection process

The selection process is divided into two phases: pre-selection at national level and final selection at European level. The national juries in each country shortlist a maximum of three cities. Out of the pre-selected candidates, the European Jury selects the winners.

The juries consider measures taken and planned in the following areas:

• the built environment and public spaces
• transport and related infrastructure
• information and communication, including new information and communication technologies
• public facilities and services
• exemplary considerations of accessible sports infrastructure (for the Special Mention)

The successful applicant has to demonstrate a coherent approach to accessibility across all four areas and an ambitious vision.

Application phase

Applications are open from 27 June 2024 until 10 September 2024 at 23:59 CEST.

Timeline

• 27 June 2024: launch of the competition
• 10 September 2024 23:59h: application deadline
• Beginning of November 2024: announcement of finalists
• 28-29 November 2024: announcement of winner, runners-up, and Special Mention(s) at the award ceremony, during the European Day of Persons with Disabilities conference.

Why an Access City Award?

The Access City Award is part of the EU’s wider efforts to make life better for persons with disabilities through the Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030 and the European Pillar of Social Rights.

This award remains a key example of the Commission working hand in hand with other government levels to turn this commitment to inclusion into a reality for persons with disabilities across the EU.

The Access City Award is an EU initiative that

• recognises efforts by cities to become more accessible
• promotes equal access to urban life for people with disabilities
• allows local authorities to promote and share their best practices

Contacts

• For technical and registration issues
• For general inquiries

Previous winners of the Access City Award

Alternatively, find the previous winners in this list.