European Training Foundation Launches Green Skills Award 2026

The European Training Foundation (ETF) Green Skills Award 2026 recognizes completed initiatives that deliver measurable impact in developing green skills and supporting a fair, sustainable transition. Open to schools, employers, NGOs, VET providers, employment services, and creators, the award amplifies scalable, innovative practices and provides international visibility through EU platforms and events. A special #ForOurPlanet Prize highlights outstanding work in nature restoration and environmental protection.

Overview

The Green Skills Award 2026 is an annual initiative by the European Training Foundation (ETF) that identifies, recognizes, and promotes high-impact projects advancing green skills and sustainability.

The award focuses on completed initiatives that have already delivered concrete, verifiable results in education, employment, digital engagement, and community development related to the green transition.

Its core objective is to elevate impactful local and national practices to an international stage through European Union institutional channels.

What Are “Green Skills”?

Green skills are the knowledge, abilities, values, and attitudes needed to support:

• Environmental sustainability

• Climate action and decarbonisation

• Resource efficiency and circular economy practices

• Nature restoration and biodiversity protection

• Sustainable production and consumption

• Fair and inclusive labour market transitions

Green skills apply across sectors, including renewable energy, sustainable construction, agriculture, manufacturing, digital technologies, public services, and education.

They include both:

• Technical skills (e.g., renewable energy installation, energy auditing, eco-design)

• Transversal skills (e.g., sustainability literacy, systems thinking, environmental awareness)

Purpose of the Green Skills Award

The ETF Green Skills Award aims to:

• Highlight successful green skills development initiatives

• Support a fair and inclusive green transition

• Promote modernisation of vocational education and training (VET)

• Showcase scalable and innovative practices

• Increase visibility of impactful local projects at EU level

• Encourage cross-border learning and partnerships

The award ensures that effective initiatives do not remain isolated but are shared across Europe and beyond.

What Types of Initiatives Are Recognized?

Eligible initiatives must be completed and demonstrate measurable impact in at least one of the following areas:

• Integration of sustainability into education and training curricula

• Development of skills for green jobs and emerging green sectors

• Support for vulnerable groups in the green labour market

• Modernisation of job profiles aligned with climate goals

• Promotion of resource efficiency and circular economy

• Public engagement and awareness on climate and sustainability

• Practical application of decarbonisation in real work environments

Examples include:

• Schools embedding sustainability across subjects

• Vocational education and training providers delivering green qualifications

• Employers integrating green competencies into workplace training

• NGOs supporting displaced or vulnerable workers

• Employment services facilitating access to green careers

• Digital creators raising awareness on sustainability topics

Special 2026 Focus: #ForOurPlanet Prize

In 2026, the ETF introduces the #ForOurPlanet Prize.

This special recognition highlights initiatives specifically focused on:

• Nature restoration

• Biodiversity preservation

• Environmental protection

• Ecosystem regeneration

The prize emphasizes projects that demonstrate tangible contributions to environmental sustainability and climate resilience.

Who Is Eligible?

Applications are open to a broad range of actors involved in green skills development and promotion, including:

• Employers and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)

• Social partners

• Non-governmental organisations (NGOs)

• Vocational education and training (VET) providers

• Schools and educational institutions

• Public employment services

• Creators and influencers working on sustainability topics

Eligibility requirements:

• The initiative must be completed

• It must show measurable and verifiable results

• It must demonstrate innovation and originality

• It must have scalability potential

• Both local and national-level initiatives are eligible

Each category will have its own winner.

Why the Green Skills Award Matters

The green transition requires workforce transformation at scale. Skills gaps in sustainability, renewable energy, circular economy, and climate adaptation are increasing across Europe and partner countries.

The Green Skills Award contributes by:

• Promoting workforce readiness for green jobs

• Supporting inclusive economic transformation

• Bridging education and labour market needs

• Encouraging innovation in vocational training

• Strengthening policy dialogue at EU level

By amplifying proven solutions, the award accelerates systemic change.

Benefits for Finalists and Winners

Selected initiatives receive:

• International visibility through ETF, European Commission, and European External Action Service channels

• Professional storytelling films documenting their work

• Promotion during major EU events, including:

  • EU Green Week

  • ETF Skills Summit

• Networking opportunities with policymakers, practitioners, and institutions

• Increased partnership and funding visibility

These benefits enhance credibility, influence, and scalability.

How to Apply for the Green Skills Award 2026

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Ensure your initiative:

• Is completed

• Has measurable results

• Aligns with green skills development

• Demonstrates innovation and impact

Step 2: Gather Evidence

Prepare:

• Impact metrics (employment outcomes, training numbers, environmental results)

• Documentation and reports

• Testimonials or case studies

• Data showing scalability or replication potential

Step 3: Identify Your Category

Determine whether your initiative fits within:

• Education

• Vocational training

• Employment services

• Employer-led initiatives

• NGO or social partner actions

• Digital and public engagement

Step 4: Submit Application

Complete the official application form via the European Training Foundation platform within the specified deadline for 2026.

Step 5: Evaluation Process

Applications are assessed based on:

• Measurable impact

• Innovation

• Originality

• Scalability

• Contribution to fair and inclusive transition

Finalists are selected and announced before award events.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting incomplete or ongoing projects

• Failing to provide measurable impact data

• Using general sustainability claims without evidence

• Overlooking scalability explanation

• Ignoring inclusivity and fair transition elements

Strong applications clearly quantify results and demonstrate real-world change.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the European Training Foundation (ETF)?

The ETF is a European Union agency that supports countries in developing education, training, and labour market systems aligned with EU policies and sustainable development goals.

2. Can small local projects apply?

Yes. Local initiatives are eligible as long as they are completed and demonstrate measurable impact and scalability potential.

3. Are private companies eligible?

Yes. Employers, including SMEs, can apply if they have implemented impactful green skills initiatives.

4. What does “completed initiative” mean?

The project must have concluded its implementation phase and produced measurable, verifiable outcomes at the time of application.

5. What kind of impact must be demonstrated?

Examples include:

• Number of individuals trained

• Employment outcomes in green sectors

• Environmental performance improvements

• Policy adoption or replication in other regions

6. Is there a separate award for environmental restoration projects?

Yes. The 2026 edition includes the #ForOurPlanet Prize for initiatives focused on nature restoration and environmental protection.

7. What exposure do winners receive?

Winners gain international visibility through EU institutional channels, storytelling films, and promotion at major EU events such as EU Green Week and the ETF Skills Summit.

Key Definitions for Context

Green Transition: The systemic shift toward a climate-neutral, resource-efficient, and sustainable economy.
Fair Transition: Ensuring workers and vulnerable groups are supported during economic transformation.
Green Jobs: Employment contributing directly or indirectly to environmental sustainability.
Vocational Education and Training (VET): Practical, skills-based education aligned with labour market needs.
Scalability: The ability of a project to expand or be replicated in other regions or contexts.

Conclusion

The European Training Foundation Green Skills Award 2026 recognizes completed, high-impact initiatives that advance green skills, support inclusive labour markets, and drive measurable sustainability outcomes. By providing international visibility, EU-level recognition, and networking opportunities, the award transforms local success stories into global examples. Organizations that have delivered tangible results in education, employment, and environmental action are encouraged to apply and contribute to a fair, resilient, and sustainable future.