This year, the Eurocities Awards are reinvented: we would like to reward and showcase talents across Europe without whom our cities would not be what they are.

Awards categories

• City heroes

Concept: Cities can nominate people for this category, and a jury will compile a shortlist, the winner will be decided by a vote by Eurocities members

This person has demonstrated either exceptional leadership or initiative under the theme ‘Stronger Cities, Fairer Europe’ at local or European level towards building a fairer, more inclusive society in cities.

Their efforts have contributed significantly to empowering cities to address pressing societal challenges, fostering collaboration across stakeholders, and creating opportunities for a fairer future. Through their actions in creating solutions or by advocating for cities’ roles, this individual embodies the spirit of creating fairer cities for all.

Nominate a local politician or city colleague from your city or any Eurocities member city for their outstanding contribution.

The individuals shortlisted are: 

Emil Boc, Mayor of Cluj-Napoca in Romania 

Emil Boc, Mayor of Cluj-Napoca since 2004 and former Prime Minister of Romania, has transformed Cluj into a European model for sustainable urban development, participatory governance and innovation. His ‘Eco, not Ego’ philosophy prioritises green mobility, smart urban planning and inclusive public spaces, setting a European benchmark for balancing urban growth with environmental responsibility.  

Beyond his local work, Boc has advocated for cities in Europe through the European Committee of the Regions, influencing EU policies on digital transformation, economic resilience and social inclusion. His leadership has earned Cluj multiple recognitions, including the European Capital of Innovation Award finalist in 2020 and the EU Mission for Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities. 

Ihor Terekhov, Mayor of Kharkiv in Ukraine 

Ihor Terekhov has led his city through extraordinary challenges, ensuring its resilience and growth despite the daily threat of shelling. Kharkiv, with a population of 1.3 million, continues to thrive, offering uninterrupted heat, water, electricity, and essential services like healthcare and education. 

Mayor Terekhov created the only underground schools in Ukraine to safeguard the children’s education during the conflict. He also provided free public transportation for all residents and visitors, ensuring accessibility and support for the city's population. Despite being 40 km from the Russian border, Kharkiv has not only survived but continues to develop on the international stage. Terekhov has inspired new approaches to city management, reinforcing the city’s role as a resilient hub for residents. 

Markku Markkula, President of Finland’s Helsinki-Uusimaa Region and Vice-President of the European Committee of the Regions 

Markku Markkula, a long-time member of the Espoo City Council and former Finnish MP, has championed evidence-based policymaking, public-private partnerships and community-focused urban development.  

At the EU level, Markku served as President of the Committee of the Regions (CoR) from 2015 to 2017, ensuring cities’ voices shaped EU policy in areas such as innovation, digitalisation and sustainability. His role as an EU Climate Ambassador highlighted the key role of cities in achieving the EU’s climate targets. 

Markku has transformed Espoo into a data-driven, impact-focused city, leading initiatives like the Espoo Climate Neutrality 2030 Roadmap and the Nature-Wise 2035 Roadmap. His efforts have strengthened regional sustainability, aligning Espoo’s goals with EU targets.  

• Inspiring city initiative

Concept: entries based on conference theme, jury selects shortlist, with 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd prizes, the winners will be decided by a vote by Eurocities members

For this category we are looking for projects that are linked to this year's annual conference topics.

Cities are central to building a fairer, more inclusive society. As the level of government closest to citizens, they hold a unique position to unite diverse stakeholders and champion ambitious, people-centred initiatives. This award recognises cities that are setting bold examples by creating equitable opportunities, fostering inclusivity, and investing in long-term prosperity for all residents. This category celebrates cities that are not only thriving locally but also contributing to the broader European agenda, showing how local action can drive progress.

Nominate a project or initiative from your city that illustrates one or more of the following:

• Financial Innovation: How the city has used funding opportunities or partnerships to overcome budgetary limitations and maximise positive social impact.
• Skills Development: The city’s efforts to attract, train, and empower talent within the administration and among the public to address future challenges.
• Multi-Level Collaboration: How the city has advocated for and successfully collaborated with regional, national, or European authorities to amplify its voice in policy-making.
• Community Engagement: Innovations in local democracy that have strengthened residents’ role in decision-making and ensured that their voices shape inclusive policies.

The city initiatives shortlisted are:

Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality - Bugday Tanesi Prosthetics and Orthotics Production and Application Centre 

The Bugday Tanesi Prosthetics and Orthotics Production and Application Centre is Turkey’s first municipally-run prosthetics centre. It provides prosthetic and orthotic services, physical therapy, psychosocial support and rehabilitation, particularly for people affected by disabilities or natural disasters.  

Since its launch, it has supported nearly 900 people, including over 500 earthquake victims from Turkey’s February 2023 disaster. The centre’s ability to quickly scale up its operations in response to crises, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, highlights its resilience and adaptability. By addressing urgent healthcare needs and expanding services to remote areas, the centre exemplifies innovation in disaster response and healthcare services. 

Gothenburg - School as an arena 

The School as an Arena initiative has transformed the lives of children and families, particularly in Gothenburg's disadvantaged areas, by strengthening their ability to have a say and get involved in their communities. 

The project uses school premises as open, safe spaces where children and young people can take part in free activities and help plan and implement initiatives. A key example is the ‘Children’s Board’ where children manage a budget and decide on activities, helping to boost their self-esteem and sense of citizenship. Parents also take part in community gatherings, which encourage trust between families and public institutions, and help reduce social exclusion. 

C6 Finland - The Finnish alliance model 

The Finnish Alliance Model supports cooperation between the Finnish Government and Finland's six largest cities. It brings together all levels of government to address short and long-term challenges, including issues like skilled worker shortages, digitalisation and early childhood care. The Alliance promotes solutions through multi-level collaboration, helping cities and the government work together effectively. 

One example of this close cooperation is the Alliance’s involvement in the next EU budget after 2027. The Finnish government and six cities have worked together to input into Finland’s EU budget priorities and concerns, showing how national governments and large cities can work together to achieve effective results on policy issues.  

Nice - Community restaurants for seniors 

In 2023, Nice launched the ‘Alegria’ community restaurant for seniors, offering healthy three-course meals for just €3 to address senior isolation, rising inflation, and malnutrition. The meals are prepared by the city's central kitchen and served by volunteering university students. Two more restaurants, ‘Pignata’ and ‘Maiouneta,’ opened in 2024, continuing to offer affordable meals and providing cultural and social activities.                                                

With nearly 100% occupancy, the three community restaurants have had a significant impact, serving their 10,000th meal in January 2025. Given that around 30% of Nice’s population are over 60, the initiative combats malnutrition and strengthens social bonds by offering affordable, locally sourced food and supporting community interaction.   

Turin - ToNite initiative 

The ToNite project has improved safety and security in public spaces along the city’s Dora River by combining urban regeneration with social innovation. The project improve life for students, families and local residents, creating an ‘outdoor campus’ for students, regenerating an abandoned inner-city area into a playground for families, and enhancing the riverbanks with street furniture and lighting for residents. 

The initiative has also funded 19 other community projects involving over 30,000 participants from across the city, contributing to a broader regeneration programme that has improved public spaces, social inclusion, mobility and community engagement.