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Green Skills Awards 2026

MEDIA ADVISORY - ETF Green Skills Award marks five years of skills supporting the green transition

Finalists from six countries to be recognised at the European Training Foundation’s award ceremony

Turin, 27 January 2026 – On Friday, 30 January 2026, the European Training Foundation (ETF) will mark the 5th anniversary of the ETF Green Skills Award with an award ceremony held during the EU–Italy Energy Days, hosted by the Politecnico di Torino.

The ceremony will recognise the best projects of the 2025 edition, which received over 250 applications from more than 50 countries. Five finalists were shortlisted, representing Kazakhstan, North Macedonia, Spain, Tunisia and Türkiye. The ranked winners will be announced at 13:00 CET.

A special #ForOurPlanet Award for circular economy education — introduced in cooperation with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Environment and the European External Action Service — was awarded to a student-led initiative from Malaysia, focused on inclusive education through insect-based waste valorisation.

Launched in 2021, the ETF Green Skills Award promotes innovative practices in green skills development worldwide, supporting policies and actions for circular and carbon-neutral economies. Since its launch, the Award has attracted more than 1,350 applications from over 60 countries and generated over 57,000 public votes.

The event will also mark the official launch of the Green Skills Award 2026 call, opening on 30 January 2026.

Media materials, including photos, video footage and press releases, will be made available during and after the ceremony.

About the ETF Green Skills Award

The ETF Green Skills Award is a global initiative that highlights innovative practices in green skills development led by individuals and institutions. It serves as a source of ideas and inspiration, promoting good practices for circular and carbon-neutral economies and societies.

Past winners:

A full list of past finalists is available from a wide range of countries, including Albania (City of my Dreams; Shipmentt), Armenia (TUMO Labs), Azerbaijan (Inkoel), Belarus (Volma), Belgium (with France: Label Emmaüs), Croatia (with Armenia and Türkiye: The Green Changemakers), Cyprus (Yenesis project), Georgia (Agriculture education in school; Sustainable Development Academy K4S;  Construct2), India (PSS Central Institute of Vocational Education; Carbon Addons; Schneider Electric), Ireland (Fifty Shades Greener; SOLAS), Italy (Atelier Riforma), Jordan (Creating Green Land), Kazakhstan (AUPET), Kenya (Don Bosco Tech Africa; E-waste management), Latvia (Hemp School), Lebanon (Zero Waste project), Madagascar (Don Bosco TVET), Malaysia (Green Putrajaya), Moldova (Training the Green Trainers), Morocco (with Spain: Bouregreg Med-O-Med Gardening School by FUNCI), Netherlands (21CC Education; Blue Hotspot Dordrecht; with Czechia, Denmark, Finland, Romania, and Spain: European Platform Urban Greening); Nigeria (Operation Skill Them Up), Palestine (Gaza Training Centre), Serbia (The Green Art Incubator), Türkiye (Distance Learning Gate;  Always fashion project; Ataturk Vocational and Technical High School), Ukraine (Emau; Professional Qualifications in Energy Efficiency Project; Taras Shevchenko National University), USA (with Liberia, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Zimbabwe: WeCareSolar).

Background

The European Training Foundation (ETF) is the EU agency supporting countries neighbouring the EU in reforming their education, training and labour market systems. In line with the objectives of the Union of Skills and the Clean Industrial Deal, the ETF actively promotes progress towards sustainable, carbon-neutral, and circular economies and societies through skills development.

Further information

Press contact

Daria Santucci, +39 366 9639638, mediarelations@etf.europa.eu