Awarding Sustainability Excellence
Since 2004
Green Gown Awards are sponsored by
Awarding Sustainability Excellence
Since 2004
Following the signing of a unique agreement with the UN Environment, the Global Universities Partnership on Environment and Sustainability Green Gown Awards puts universities and colleges as leaders in sustainability as well as being able to continue their learning from global leaders. The Global Universities Partnership on Environment and Sustainability Green Gown Awards are open to Global Universities Partnership on Environment and Sustainability Members across 6 regions (Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America and West Asia). Applications are to be submitted by 12 October 2017. The Global Universities Partnership on Environment and Sustainability Green Gown Award Winner from each category will automatically be entered into the International Green Gown Awards (except the Research & Development category). All applications are to be in English.
To make a strong application please provide facts and figures to support your application and meet all the criteria within your chosen category. You should also include the following generic criteria:
This category recognises initiatives by tertiary education institutions which create significant benefits for local communities, disadvantaged groups (including disability and accessibility in the broader sense) and/or society as a whole in either their host country or developing countries. As well as specific initiatives, this category includes institutions taking a leading and visionary role in multi-partner activities such as community development or urban regeneration.
Although all applications will be considered on their merits, the judges will particularly be looking for innovative community engagement type of initiatives which have an element of proactive, new, community and social concern and positive impacts, rather than the very worthy and commendable ‘grass roots’ and ‘business as usual’ activities. A powerful example of such innovative and proactive engagement is the Living Lab approach: establishing projects that draw on students’ curricular work or academic research to address real sustainability challenges in stakeholder partnerships with community bodies.
Activities which have a substantial student element should be submitted to the Student Engagement category.
This category recognises sustained and successful activities to improve the performance of tertiary education institutions, faculties and buildings over a number of years and offers a whole institution approach.
To improve social responsibility and environmental performance through a whole institution approach strategic sustainability activities through four main areas must be achieved:
Applications are only likely to be successful if they provide considerable quantitative evidence on the nature of the improvements made and also demonstrate a causal relationship between activities undertaken and improvements achieved based on the four areas. Initiatives must have been running for at least five years.
Judges will be looking for key areas where it is felt that the institution is distinctive compared to its peers, and provide supporting evidence. Tangible evidence of high level commitment, and its incorporation into management procedures, will also carry great weight with the judges.
This category recognises the importance of research and development by tertiary education as a driver of sustainable development and implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. As claims of impact from research and development can be difficult to judge, entries are sought which:
Note that adoption or dissemination measures will not be considered sufficient evidence by themselves – there needs to be a further stage of demonstration that adoption or dissemination has actually produced results.
Possible activities include:
Eligible entries can include both large-scale projects with major impacts as well as small-scale projects that provide tangible impacts in focused areas/technologies, or amongst specific target audiences.
In line with the broader sustainability agenda, judges will be keen to see evidence on how the project links with the Sustainable Development Goals and the impact of the project.
This category reflects that students and staff must work together to achieve goals using “top-down” and “bottom-up grass roots” methods to achieve maximum understanding and engagement across an institution. This in turn aids student progress and allows for opportunities to gain transferable employability skills. It looks at both the student input and the staff commitment and the relationship between the two. It must be clear that initiatives include both staff and students (not just one party) working in partnership.
Where staff and students are involved, as well as including the actual numbers, include how they are involved and what impact/influence they have had.
Examples could include:
Applications are equally welcomed from institutions or student bodies.
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