Green Gown Awards 2023 nominations open

The competition recognises the best in environmental and sustainability action within further and higher education.

This year’s Awards come with three new categories – Creating Impact, Digital Futures, and Nature Positive. To enter, candidates and those putting projects, institutions and initiatives forward must submit an online application form, although video links and up to three separate images are also accepted where there are strong visual elements. 

Those on limited budgets are also being recognised, a clear sign of a desire to promote green action beyond large institutions with significant funds to invest. Smaller nominees will be judged against an annual turnover of £50m or less. All categories can have up to two winners, increasing the likelihood of broad success stories. Winners and those considered for a Green Gown in the past two years, are not eligible. 

Organisational-wide categories for 2023 include: 

*2030 Climate Action 

*Benefitting Society 

*Campus Health, Food & Drink 

*Creating Impact 

*Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Sustainability 

*Money for Good 

*Nature Positive 

*Next Generation Learning & Skills 

*Research and Impact 

*Student Engagement 

*Sustainability Institution of the Year 

*Tomorrow’s Employees 

*Reporting with Influence 

Individual categories for 2023 include: 

*Student Research with Impact

*Sustainability Champion (staff and student)

Full details on eligibility, criteria, application forms and past winners can be found here. Submissions must be received by 12PM BST 5th June 2023.

‘We were blown away with the number of incredible sustainability initiatives taking place across the UK last year. I can’t wait to see what this year brings to the awards,’ said Hayley Bristow, Programme Manager for Higher and Further Education at Salix, the firm sponsoring the Sustainability Champion category. 

‘The Green Gown Awards recognise the very best in sustainability action and innovation across the tertiary education sector. Being part of the judging is often a highlight of my year. The Awards don’t just celebrate successes but help provide stories and lessons that we can all use to inform our work in future,’ added Charlotte Bonner, CEO of EAUC, delivery partner of the Awards. ‘We know the scale and urgency of the sustainability challenges we face – the Green Gown Awards give us chance to pause, remember how far we’ve come, and give us inspiration to continue with our work.’

Image: Baim Hanif

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