Nominations and Applications Open! 2025 New Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements Awards

The Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements Awards (SCAHSA) (originally “Global Human Settlements Award”) is an annual worldwide prize initiated in 2005 by Global Forum on Human Settlements (GFHS) and supported by UNEP and other UN agencies. The awards program aims to accelerate the delivery of UN Sustainable Development Goals, notably SDG 11, recognize and celebrate winners’ remarkable progress and valuable experience in making cities and human settlements safer, greener, more resilient, inclusive and sustainable, and drive more to follow suit and take decisive actions on the ground.

The assessment criteria of SCAHSA is rooted in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the New Urban Agenda (NUA). SCAHSA has been successfully held for nineteen years until 2024, with awardees coming from different parts of the world. It has become one of the most important sustainable development recognitions in the world, producing a significant demonstration effect.

Backed by the Global Human Settlements Foundation (GHSF) and drawing on the successful experience of the Nobel Prize with 120+ years of history, the SCAHSA in 2024 has been fully upgraded to the "New Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements Awards" (abbreviated as the "New SCAHSA"), aiming to become a global top prize for sustainable development. The "New SCAHSA" will recognize and reward outstanding innovation and local leadership in making sustainable cities and human settlements, including climate actions and sustainability practices, and promote their innovative strategies, technologies and approaches as well as successful experience.

Winners will be awarded not only certificates and medals but also prize money at the Awards Ceremony, which will inspire their ambition and creativity and improve their work and living conditions, thus enabling them to achieve better performance.

Awards Category and Name (10 categories)

City: Global Smart Green City

Planning & Design: Global Human Settlements Award on Planning and Design 

Building & Community: Global Model of Smart Green Building/Community

Tourism: Global Model of Sustainable Tourism

Village: Global Human Settlements Model of Village

Environment: Global Model of Ecological Restoration and Protection

Innovation: Global Innovation Award for Sustainable Development

Urban infrastructure: Global Model of Sustainable Infrastructure

Urban renewal: Global Model of Sustainable Urban Renewal

Leadership: Global Leadership Award for Sustainable Development

※ In principle, there is only one winner under each category every year, a maximum of two in case of outstanding cases. In case there are no applicants to meet the assessment criteria in certain category, the category will be left vacant.

※ In addition, Global Special Award for Sustainable Development is created to recognize those who have made outstanding achievements on and significant contribution to sustainable development.

The Jury

GFHS will invite 9 well-known experts to form a Jury Committee for assessment of the award applications. Dr. Arab Hoballah serves as the chairman of the New SCAHSA Jury. Dignitaries and pundits will be invited on board as senior advisors.

Applicants

The awards are open to legal government agencies, international organizations, enterprises, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions and individuals from various countries and regions across the world.

How to Apply

1. Formally invited by GFHS Secretariat.

2. Application or nomination by GFHS members.

3. Nominated by GFHS partner organizations.

4. Nominated by well-known individuals, international organizations or authoritative institutions nominate to the Forum Secretariat.

Application Materials

1. Organizations or individuals who apply through any of the above-mentioned channels shall fill out the application form and prepare relevant application materials as required.

2. The application materials are the main basis for assessment, and applicants shall prepare the required information earnestly and truthfully; when submitting the application form, important supporting materials and information such as pictures, videos and relevant documents shall be attached as required.

Reward Mechanism

1. Winners will be awarded certificates, medals and prize money at the Awards Ceremony.

2. Winners will gain publicity on mainstream media and social media.

3. Some of the winners’ innovation and best practices will be included in GFHS’ annual outcome document and relevant publications as research results, which will be promoted on a wider scale.

4. Award-winning cities and organizations will be given precedence to submit a bid to host the Annual Session of Global Forum on Human Settlements and relevant theme events. Specific procedures shall be discussed separately.

Assessment Principles

1. The assessment is based on the principles of “voluntary application, selection of the fittest, fairness and impartiality”. The evaluation process and information are confidential. Before the award is revealed, no other organizations or individuals have the right to guarantee that a certain applicant will win the award.

2. The Jury members will conduct a rigorous review and evaluation of the submitted projects in accordance with the established criteria. If necessary, on-site inspections or presentations may be arranged for certain projects. Based on the comprehensive evaluation results, the projects will be ranked accordingly.

3. Applicants do not need to pay application fee to any organization or individual. Winners are responsible for their own travel expenses incurred when invited to attend the annual meeting of GFHS and awards ceremony.

Procedure

Application Forms

To get more information about the awards and download the applications forms, please visit the website: https://www.gfhsforum.org/awardsapplication