The 8th Natura 2000 Award edition is launched!

Photo of an owl with text — Fernando Garcés Toledano - GREFA

Europe’s Natura 2000 network, the world’s largest coordinated network of protected areas, offers endless opportunities to reconnect with nature, whether it’s a serene forest, a vibrant wetland or a rugged coastline. Behind these remarkable places are dedicated organisations, private landowners and land managers, public authorities, and countless individuals working every day to protect and restore Europe’s natural heritage. Their efforts ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy nature and the invaluable benefits it provides to society.

To celebrate and promote all the great work happening across Europe to restore and protect our nature, the European Commission is launching the 8^th edition of the prestigious EU Natura 2000 Award. Applications are now open across all (5) categories and will be accepted until 30 September 2026.

Get the recognition you deserve and apply today, spread the word and follow the contest online for all latest news - you will want to have a say on the winner of the Citizens’ award!

Why apply?

Your conservation work deserves an audience. The European Natura 2000 Award exists to make sure it gets one – among the Natura 2000 community and beyond.

Being heard matters. Already applying for the Natura 2000 Award means your work reaches a European-wide audience through Commission communication channels, messages that are also shared and multiplied by a large community of followers.

All finalists will feature prominently on the Commission’s official Natura 2000 website, receive professional social media training and are invited to attend the high-level Award Ceremony at the European Commission. All finalists will also qualify to enter the Citizens’ Award public vote. Winners receive dedicated support to celebrate their achievement with local and national audiences.

Visit the Award website to know what previous winners have said about their experience.

Five categories to choose from

Which category fits your Natura 2000 work best? Here is a quick overview! It’s up to you to decide, but your work may also fit into different categories. More information, including tips and tricks, can be found on the Award website.

The 8th award edition also introduces a brand-new category: Towns & cities. For the first time, the Natura 2000 Award explicitly recognises conservation activities taking place in urban and peri-urban areas, linked to at least one Natura 2000 site. With more than 70% of Europeans living in towns and cities, urban Natura 2000 sites matter not only for wildlife, but are also essential for the physical and mental wellbeing of millions of people who live nearby.

Marine & coastal – for conservation activities on marine or coastal Natura 2000 sites that have improved the status of protected species or habitats.

Towns & cities (new) – for activities in urban or peri-urban Natura 2000 sites that enhance the natural environment or benefit the local community.

Conservation on land – for outstanding conservation achievements on terrestrial Natura 2000 sites that have improved the status of protected species or habitats.

Community benefits – for initiatives that have generated tangible socio-economic benefits for local communities through their connection to a Natura 2000 site.

Public engagement – for communication or awareness-raising activities that have brought about lasting positive change in attitudes or behaviour towards Natura 2000.

In addition, all finalists will automatically be entered into the public vote for the European Citizens’ Award, which will be widely promoted across Europe. All European citizens have the opportunity to vote for their favorite finalist, and whoever gets the most votes, wins.

Would you like to know more about the application process? The Award Secretariat will host an online applicant workshop on 17 June 2026 from 10:30 to 12:30, providing useful information on the application process, tips and tricks on how to prepare a strong application, and insights and experiences from previous finalists. Register here!

Key dates

21 May 2026 – applications launched
June 2026 – online applicant workshop
30 September 2026 – application deadline
March – April 2027 – online public vote
May 2027 – Award Ceremony

Who can apply?

The Award is open to anyone involved in Natura 2000 – public authorities, NGOs, businesses, landowners, educational institutions and private individuals alike. If you deserve recognition for your efforts – apply now! Or if you know of colleagues or organisations whose work deserves recognition, please share this with them.

Ready to apply?

Get the recognition you deserve! Head to the Natura 2000 application portal and start your application. The form is available in all official EU languages. The deadline is 30 September 2026 and will be accepted until 23:59 CEST.