The success of the competition was supported by an international jury of experts from science, politics, and practice who took on the challenging task of assessing policies that are each unique in scope, approach, and context. Among the Jury members, was our Head of Secretariat of the UBC Sustainable Cities Commission Agnieszka Ilola!
The aim of the competition was to recognize policies and initiatives that reduce the use of hazardous chemicals in construction and promote environmentally friendly and circular building practices. The awards focus on safety, transparency, and sustainability in the construction sector, supporting both human health and climate goals across the Baltic Sea Region.
Aspiration Award: Lithuania – Green Public Procurement Policy and the 2021 Public Procurement Tender Database
Lithuania’s Green Public Procurement Policy and its 2021 Public Procurement Tender Database received the Aspiration Award for its ambitious, nationwide effort to make public procurement more transparent, uniform, more data-driven, and better adaptable to evolving chemical safety criteria.
This approach creates a strong foundation for environmentally conscious construction and sets a benchmark for other European countries.
Impact Award: Sweden – Järfälla City Chemicals Plan 2016
The Järfälla City Chemicals Plan (2016) won the Impact Award for its exemplary contribution to reducing hazardous substances in the built environment. Their work stands out due to: a requirement for construction companies to maintain material and construction logs, the use of SundaHus material classifications in all public construction projects, resulting in a safer and more transparent construction environment.
Järfälla demonstrates how clear policy and consistent implementation can create real impact on the local level.
Among the nominees, several UBC member cities also received an honourable mention: Greifswald, Hamburg, and Riga.
The goal of the award is to inspire cities and countries in the region to adopt innovative and safe construction policies that align with EU and Baltic Sea environmental objectives.