The call for applications for the 8th edition of the European Natura 2000 Award is open! Find out below how – and why – you should apply and get the recognition you deserve!
Applications are open until 30 September 2026, 23:59 CET.
Please consult the Rules of contest, and the eligibility and selection criteria.
How to apply
Click on the Apply now! link above. You will be asked to register and indicate in which EU language you would like to apply. Once selected, you cannot change the language, so please choose carefully.
Once you have submitted the registration form, you will be sent a unique link to your application form.
Need support in writing your application?
The application for the 8th edition is designed to be easy and straightforward to complete – we estimate you can complete your full application in a couple of weeks, including compiling all the information from your partners.
The following resources are available to support you, and you are encouraged to make full use of them:
- FAQs
- Guidance for applicants
- Video tutorials (coming soon)
- Workshop – register to participate in the online workshop here.
- Sign up to the Natura 2000 Award newsletter to be first to hear the news!
- If you still have questions, please contact the Helpdesk.
The European Commission and the Natura 2000 Award Secretariat take data protection very seriously. You can find the Natura 2000 Award 2027 application process Privacy Statement – according to the EU General Data protection Regulation (GDPR) – here.
8th edition indicative timeframe
The current edition of the European Natura 2000 Award kicked off on 21 May 2026 – European Natura 2000 Day! Other key dates are presented below.
- 21 May 2026
Launch of call for applications
- 17 June 2026
Online applicant workshop
- 30 September 2026
Deadline for applications
- Early March 2027
Finalists announced
- Early March – mid-April 2027
Public vote for Citizens' Award
- May 2027
Award Ceremony and announcement of winners
Why apply? Get the recognition you deserve!
The European Natura 2000 Award was launched with the aim of recognising and celebrating your achievements – in protecting and managing the network for the benefit of us all. Applying for the European Natura 2000 Award has multiple benefits.
All applicants, regardless of whether they win an award or not, benefit from having their work promoted to a wide audience across Europe on the Award website.
Finalists’ achievements will be promoted more extensively via European Commission channels, and in particular through the Citizens’ Award public vote. Finalists will also be offered a complementary social media training by professional communications experts and tailor-made visuals to help them promote their achievements.
The finalists will be invited to the Award Ceremony and a dedicated networking event on (or around) EU Natura 2000 Day in Brussels – a great opportunity to meet and exchange with the other finalists and European Commission representatives working in nature conservation.
Winners will receive support in the organisation of a local event, to celebrate their win not only in Brussels but in their region too.
The European Commission will continue promoting both finalists and winners after the end of each edition to inspire others to replicate these excellent practices in preserving Europe’s precious nature.
Here are the top three advantages of applying for – and winning the Award, according to past winners of the Award:
1. Get recognition for your work!
Showcasing your achievements in helping protect Europe’s most valuable species and habitats will:
- have a positive impact on the profile of your organisation
- provide a clear and visible recognition of your work
- make your efforts better known to a wider audience
- provide inspiration for others who manage and promote Natura 2000 sites.
2. Increase your media outreach!
Having your work promoted on the Natura 2000 Award website, in the Award Newsflash or via European Commission social media channels will result in increased media attention and increased stakeholder awareness. And all applicants can use the visuals available on the Award website to promote their own application during their daily work.
Finalists will receive professional support to promote their achievements – and the Award – to their own networks, and winners receive media support – including press and media support – in organising their own event to celebrate their win.
3. Receive benefits for your ongoing activities!
Winners will receive support in the organisation of a local event and, of course, an attractive trophy and a certificate.
All finalists are also invited to attend the Award Ceremony and networking event in Brussels which provides a useful and exciting opportunity to meet and network with other Natura 2000 heroes as well as policymakers and other stakeholders.
Rewarding diversity!
The finalists and winners of the Award serve as inspiration for others on the many ways in which the Natura 2000 network can be protected and maintained. The Natura 2000 Award reflects this diversity of approaches and organisations. Use the Award as a unique opportunity to demonstrate how everyone can contribute to nature conservation!
Find out below which applications are particularly encouraged for the 2027 edition of the Award:
- Member States from which very few applications have been received in the past (in particular, Croatia, Malta, Sweden, Finland, Cyprus, Luxemburg, Romania and Latvia).
- Organisations whose day-to-day business is not typically centred around Natura 2000 or nature conservation, such as sports associations, businesses, schools, landowners, hunting and fishing groups, tourism associations … as well as from actors that bring together conflicting parties to improve the Natura 2000 network.
- Applications to categories with lower numbers of applications stand a higher chance of success (for example, Towns & cities, Community benefits, and Marine & coastal).
- Innovative ways to pay for ecosystem services is of interest to a wide range of Natura 2000 actors.
The impact of funding by the LIFE programme is clearly confirmed by the many high-quality applications to the Natura 2000 Award from LIFE projects. Initiatives that are funded in other ways – including much smaller, local projects as well as other EU funds such as Interreg, EARDF, EMFAF, or national or private funding – are also very welcome to demonstrate how everyone can contribute to the Natura 2000 network.
Useful resources
You can find relevant resources related to your application below.
