Commission opens applications for the 11th edition of the Access City Award

Today, the Commission has launched the contest of the 11th Access City Award. Cities across the EU can start applying now. This award recognises and celebrates a city’s willingness, ability and efforts to become more accessible for persons with disabilities. Accessible cities can help to guarantee equal access, improve the quality of life and ensure that everybody can enjoy all the resources and pleasures cities have to offer. In the past months, cities have shown the important role they can play in tackling global challenges, such as the one caused by the coronavirus outbreak, and this year’s competition will reflect this. Helena Dalli, Commissioner for Equality, said: “Cities are on the frontline when it comes to tackling the challenges caused by the coronavirus outbreak. Access to public places and services for all is more than ever a priority. That’s why this year, a special mention ‘accessibility of public services in times of the pandemic’ will be created to reward cities’ efforts.” EU cities with more than 50,000 inhabitants are invited to apply until 9 September 2020. Following the success of the previous editions, the European Commission will continue to reward the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners, respectively with prizes of €150,000, €120,000 and €80,000. Commissioner Dalli will unveil the first winner under this Commission’s mandate at the award ceremony in the beginning of December 2020. Last year, the 2020 Access City Award was handed out to Warsaw for its ability to make a substantial overall improvement to the city’s ease of access in a short space of time. More information on the Access City Award can be found here. To apply for the 2021 edition of the Access City Award, find the necessary information here.