Mayor of Istanbul Ekrem İmamoğlu and Oulu and Stockholm win Eurocities Awards 2026

Ekrem İmamoğlu, Mayor of Istanbul, and the cities of Oulu and Stockholm have been announced as the winners of the top prizes at the Eurocities Awards 2026. All of the winners have shown exceptional dedication to strengthening local democracy, accelerating climate action and tackling poverty through more inclusive support.

This year, the Eurocities Awards celebrated outstanding city initiatives and the inspiring local leaders driving change. The winning projects show how cities are adapting proven solutions to local needs, while building fairer, greener and more resilient communities.

The City Heroes Award recognized politicians for their exceptional leadership or initiatives, at the local or European level. The inspiring local leaders nominated were Alessandro Ghinelli, Mayor of Arezzo, Katrin Stjernfeldt Jammeh, Mayor of Malmo, and Ekrem İmamoğlu, Mayor of Istanbul.

The Inspiring City Initiative Award highlighted cities that have adapted and applied proven solutions in their own local communities, with awards categories focused on ‘urban climate action’ and ‘breaking gendered poverty cycles.’

City Heroes Award winner

Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu was chosen for his extraordinary dedication and democratic leadership as Mayor of Istanbul. Since taking office in 2019, he has promoted inclusive governance, expanding affordable childcare, supporting families and delivering services across the city’s 39 districts. Despite being unjustly imprisoned since March 2025 and facing politically motivated charges, Mayor İmamoğlu remains a powerful symbol of local democracy, public service and resilience.

In a letter to accept his award, Ekrem İmamoğlu, Mayor of Istanbul, stated: “This is not simply an honour given to one mayor. It is a message of solidarity with the democratic will of Istanbul, with elected local government, and with millions of citizens in Turkiye who continue to defend democracy under immense pressure."

Inspiring City Initiative Award winner: Urban climate action

This award recognised city initiatives that embed climate action across wider local policies, from housing and mobility to public health, inclusion and economic development.

Oulu won for its Sustainable Future Learning Stream project, a city-wide lifelong learning model that turns climate strategy into everyday action, from early childhood education through to upper secondary level. Developed over five years and integrated into local curricula, the initiative combines climate literacy, circular economy and nature-based learning through outdoor education, food councils and school-level climate projects.

Ari Alatossava, Mayor of Oulu, said:“Our project is about people turning sustainability into action. A sustainable future starts with learning, and through this project, children are bringing that knowledge back into their communities. Europe’s greatest achievements come from collaboration, shared ideas and mutual inspiration.”

Second place went to Paris, for greening school playgrounds for children and communities. Third place went to Rotterdam, for reducing textile waste through reuse. The other finalists were Istanbul, for transforming a flood-prone corridor into green space, and Manchester, for bringing climate action into local communities.

Inspiring City Initiative Award winner: Breaking gendered poverty cycles

This award recognised city initiatives that tackle poverty through a gender and inclusion lens, making support more accessible to women, LGBTQIA+ people, single-parent families and other marginalised groups.

Stockholm won for its Neighbourhood Mothers project, which employs women with first-hand experience of migrating to Sweden to support newly arrived women in their own communities. Since 2018, the City of Stockholm has employed 98 Neighbourhood Mothers, collectively reaching around 3,000 women every year, helping to reduce isolation, build trust and support women’s path to employment, education, healthcare and social services.

Lars Stromgren, Vice Mayor of Stockholm, said: “The 100 mothers couldn’t join us today, nor could the 3,000 migrant women and men who have been supported thanks to this project. The essence of networks like Eurocities is to get inspired and inspire others. I hope our project will inspire others inspire others to start similar projects, as Berlin inspired us to start this one.”

Second place was awarded to Dusseldorf, for supporting women and mothers experiencing homelessness through safe accommodation and tailored services. Third place went to Glasgow, for improving access to free period products and tackling period poverty.

Sharon Dijksma, Mayor of Utrecht and Chair of the Awards jury, which shortlisted nominees, said: “Congratulations to this year’s winners of the Eurocities Awards 2026. Their work shows how cities are responding to urgent challenges while building a fairer, more resilient future for people.

“Mayor İmamoğlu’s courage and leadership are a huge inspiration to mayors across Europe, who will continue to stand in solidarity with him and defend local democratic values. Oulu’s Climate Path project shows how climate action can start from the earliest years of life, while Stockholm’s Neighbourhood Mothers initiative helps migrant women overcome isolation and access crucial support. These awards celebrate the projects and people driving practical, lasting change in our cities.”

The awards ceremony took place on 9 June 2026, during the Eurocities Annual Conference, held in the Dutch city of Utrecht.

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