Climate Protection Award for Energy, Environment & Sustainability

The city of Villach awards a prize every two years for outstanding achievements in the fields of renewable energies, energy efficiency, technological and social innovations, as well as environmental and climate protection. The aim is to recognize and financially support exemplary projects with a special degree of innovation, high sustainability performance, and exemplary impact. Eligible participants include natural persons, legal entities, groups of persons, working groups, schools, and other institutions with a primary residence, school attendance, or special connection to Villach. Two categories – adults with at least two years of residence in Villach and children and adolescents under 19 years with primary residence or school attendance – ensure fair competition conditions.

Submissions are accepted continuously; specific deadlines are announced every two years via the city newspaper, the website, and social media. Applications are submitted using an application form, project description, as well as photos and a text summary for online voting. A panel of experts in environment, climate, and sustainability, together with representatives of the city and the results of the online voting, determines the prize winners. Evaluation criteria include the degree of innovation, sustainability performance, contribution to renewable energies and energy efficiency, as well as the exemplary role for Villach. Selected projects are awarded funding of up to €4,000, which is honored during a ceremonial award event.