Green entrepreneurs and public authorities from the Southern Mediterranean involved in ENI CBC Med projects are encouraged to submit an application until 15 July. The award is launched by the SwitchMed initiative, a flagship initiative of the United Nations Environment Programme for the Mediterranean Action Plan (UNEP/MAP).

The WeMed Mediterranean Sustainability Award, promoted by the SwitchMed initiative, is one of the first awards aiming to recognize an inclusive transition towards a sustainable Mediterranean. The southern part of the Mediterranean faces an array of environmental and social challenges. Climate change, biodiversity loss, rapid urbanization and increased resource consumption and waste are just a few of these challenges that require radical change to be addressed.

Luckily, there are many SMEs adopting environmental and social innovations in their business models that tackle these challenges. However, these SMEs face many obstacles that “business-as-usual” companies don’t. This is why an enabling policy environment is key to allow circular and green businesses to thrive in the Mediterranean. 

In its first edition 2021, the award seeks to identify change makers within the following categories:

• Green entrepreneurs and start-ups with innovative and sustainable business models
• Public authorities with initiatives promoting and supporting sustainable businesses

The sustainable business models award recognizes projects that are in their “early stage”, under 3 years old, with a reward of 10,000 €, and projects in their “growth stage”, older than 3 years, with a reward of 15,000 €.

The award seeks to recognize the efforts of public authorities, such as municipalities, ministries, and other public organizations that have launched successful initiatives that support the development of green and circular businesses. The winning authority will receive an honorary award as well as a study visit for its members. In order to identify the policy initiatives that could influence positively the enabling environment for sustainable businesses, this document, developed by the Regional Activity Centre for Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP/RAC) under the SwitchMed initiative funded by the EU, will be very enlightening. 

Applications are open from the 15th of June to the 15th of July, and you are invited to apply to get recognition and support for your project. The award’s page, www.WeMedAward.org, has all the information required to successfully go through the application process.

The WeMed Award has been created by SCP/RAC as part of the Switchers Support Programme. The WeMed Award is a flagship initiative of the United Nations Environment Programme for the Mediterranean Action Plan UNEP/MAP for a Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development. The first edition of WeMed is funded by the EU through the SwitchMed Programme.