
GTI Awards Regulation 2023
Contest regulation
The Greening the Islands Awards recognize and disseminate the most innovative projects that demonstrate an integrated sustainability approach.
All island projects worldwide are allowed to participate including programmes, initiatives and policies that engage the community at large as well as the different island stakeholders in a multisectoral approach. To empower a true circular economy on islands, innovative projects should integrate solutions in at least one, preferably with synergies among two or more the following sectors:
- Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
- Sustainable Mobility
- Water
- Waste
- Agriculture
- Sustainable tourism
- Governance and inclusion
Projects that illustrate cooperation between islands are also qualified.
Admission is free.
How to register & deadline
Registration for the competition is made by completing the registration form. Please, also attach CO2 saving documentation and 3 photos of the project as indicated in the form.
To apply, participants have to focus on the main project objectives:
- Project description of activities and specific interventions;
- Public outreach, education and awareness efforts and results;
- Economic value added and how it is calculated;
- Ecological and social project outcomes.
Important: please indicate the name of a contact person and his details, for any questions concerning the projects.
Projects have to be submitted by and no later than 23th January 2023.
Who can apply
Admission is open to all island governments, NGOs, companies and other entities involved in the island project or policy, also in pipeline phase. To participate in the contest, hosting islands are required to join the GTI Observatory.
If the application is submitted by a different entity, the hosting island is automatically awarded a free GTI Observatory membership, which becomes effective once the island administration completes the process.
As Entry Island, free of charge, islands have the opportunity to be part of a global network of islands committed to become zero-emission and to access webinars on the most innovative island solutions.
Watch now the recordings of the Awards sessions 2021
Evaluation criteria
Projects will be evaluated based on intersectoral synergies as well as on qualitative and quantitative criteria.
The quantitative criteria are specific to the CO2 savings calculations, in absolute terms and in relative terms, based on the number of inhabitants.
The qualitative criteria relate to the ecological and economic value-added, transferability to other islands or common areas, the degree of innovation, involvement and public awareness.
The Jury will evaluate the projects not only based on the level of environmental awareness and the degree of innovation in the regions of reference, but it will also consider the socio-economic benefits that the project will bring to the area and also the replicability and potential for the development of future project.
The level of advancement of the projects will be also evaluated.
The Jury will adopt a multidisciplinary/multisectoral approach to value projects that engage the entire island’s system.
Prizes for the winner
The first three places are awarded the following prizes:
- “Fast-track” for the Green Destinations Top 100 Destination Sustainability Stories competition
- Presentation of the project during the Awards Ceremony as part of the GTI Observatory Summit, that will include communication to international press
- Award prize “Greening the Islands Awards” and extensive visibility in the global island network
- Permission to use the “Greening the Islands Awards” logo on printed and website materials
In addition, the 1st and 2nd places will be awarded a one year free GTI Observatory Intermediate Membership for the hosting island which includes the GTI Global Index to assign scores to the islands’ status and recommendations to improve them while helping group islands with similar needs.
Finally, the 1st place will be rewarded with the production of a video to promote the island with special focus to the sustainability aspects.
Meet the GTI Awards Jury 2023

Amani Alfarra

Joseph Borg

Kate Brown

Edita Dranseikaite

Amjad Abdulla

George Kremlis

Michela Miletto

Sai Navoti

Giovanni Ruggeri

John Peter Portelli
Winner Projects 2021

Winner mobility 2021 – Chalki Island
Chalki green-smart Island Winner GTI Awards 2021 – Sustainable mobility General information: Island (Region, Pr

Winner energy 2021 – Maldives
Preparing Outer Islands for Sustainable Development (POISED) and its Additional Financing Winner GTI Awards 2021 R

Winner water 2021 – Maio Island
Installation of an autonomous desalination plant with photovoltaic solar energy in Ribeira Dom João Winner GTI Awards

Winner agriculture 2021 – Santiago
Adaptation to climate change in macaronesia through the efficient use of water and its reuse. Obj 3: demonstration, o

Winner waste 2021 – Philippines
Zero Waste Islands – Siquijor Project Winner GTI Awards 2021 – Waste General information: Island (Region,

Winner waste 2021 – Cres
From waste to green Hydrogen on Cres-Lošinj Archipelago Winner GTI Awards 2021 – Waste General information: Isl

Winner governance & inclusion 2021 – Kökar
Habitability Plan Winner GTI Awards 2021 – Governance & inclusion General information: Island (Region, Prov

