European Commission Access City Award 2026 (up to €350,000 in prizes) Deadline: 9 September, 2025

Applications are open for the European Commission Access City Award 2026. Since 2010, the European Commission organizes the Access City Award, in collaboration with the European Disability Forum, to reward EU cities that are prioritizing accessibility for persons with disabilities. Accessibility is a master-key that opens the door to the city’s services, buildings and spaces, so persons with disabilities can take the lead of their lives, live independently and fully participate in the community.

Cities are key actors to ensure accessibility, as they have a direct impact on our everyday life and needs as citizens. A city is accessible when persons with disabilities can, for instance:

• Get information in ways that they can read and understand.
• Go around the streets and enjoy public areas, such as parks and playgrounds.
• Get in public buildings like hospitals, town halls, libraries, and sports halls.
• Get the bus, tram and metro to go to work or meet friends.
• Communicate with the local administration in person, by phone or online.

Awards

The successful applicants have to demonstrate a coherent approach to accessibility and an ambitious vision in tackling accessibility in the city.

• The winner and runners-up will receive a monetary prize:
  • 1st place: EUR 150,000
  • 2nd place: EUR 120,000
  • 3rd place: EUR 80,000
• This year, the European Commission also intends to award a Special Mention for Accessibility in Housing to a city that is addressing the housing crisis while ensuring accessibility for persons with disabilities.
• The EU Jury may decide to award other Special Mentions if there are cities that have done exceptional work in a particular key area of accessibility, the current context and the cities’ related accessibility initiatives, or other specific highlights of the applications.

Eligibility

The Access City Award is open to

• All EU cities of over 50,000 inhabitants.
• Urban areas composed of two or more towns with a combined population of over 50,000 inhabitants, if they are in EU countries with fewer than 2 cities with over 50,000 inhabitants.

Selection Process

The selection process is divided into two phases: a pre-selection at national level, and final selection at European level. The national juries in each country shortlist a maximum of two cities. Out of the pre-selected candidates, the European Jury selects the winners.

The juries consider accessibility measures taken and planned in the following areas:

• built environment and public spaces
• transport and related infrastructure
• information and communication, including new information and communication technologies
• public facilities and services
• exemplary considerations of accessibility in housing (for the Special Mention)

Application

The application period is open until 9 September 2025, 23:59 CEST (GMT+2). Applications must be submitted electronically via the online application platform.

For more information, visit Access City Award.