Who We Are

The Guangzhou International Award for Urban Innovation (Guangzhou Award) was jointly established in 2012 by the City of Guangzhou, the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG), and the World Association of the Major Metropolises (Metropolis).

By recognizing innovative initiatives that promote social, economic, and environmental sustainability as well as good urban governance, the Award facilitates the exchange of advanced experiences in urban governance innovation, and contributes to comprehensive, harmonious, and sustainable urban development worldwide.

Since its inception, six cycles of the Award have been successfully held, attracting more than 1,600 initiatives from cities around the globe. It has grown into a key international platform for city-to-city learning, while documenting, disseminating, and analyzing local practices that advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the New Urban Agenda (NUA).

Coming Soon!

The 7th Guangzhou Award will officially open for submissions during the 40th Anniversary of Metropolis in Seoul, South Korea, on 29 September 2025.

Why Apply

Participating cities will have the opportunity to:

• Win US$20,000, a trophy, and a commemorative certificate

• Showcase initiatives at international conferences and exhibitions

• Exchange experiences and learn from global urban innovation practices

Who Can Apply

The Guangzhou Award is open to all cities and local governments worldwide, including members of UCLG, Metropolis, and ICLEI, as well as other cities. Ongoing or recently completed initiatives are eligible, including those carried out in collaboration with private sector and civil society partners.

Thematic areas include but are not limited to:

• Social inclusion and shared prosperity

• Environmental protection and resilience

• Public services and infrastructure

• Urban heritage and cultural preservation

• Smart cities and technology governance

How to Apply

Detailed submission guidelines and the application portal will be released on 29 September 2025. Stay tuned!

Submission Timeline

*Please note that the timeline is tentative. Kindly refer to future notices for updates.

29 September 2025

Open for Submission

31 March 2026

Early-Bird Submission Deadline

*Early-bird submissions may attain expert comments

30 April 2026

Final Submission Deadline

June 2026

Evaluation by the Technical Committee

Release of 15 Short-listed Cities and 30 Exemplary Initiatives

September 2026

International Seminar on Learning from Urban Innovation

Final Assessment by Jury

September – October 2026

Online Vote: the “City of Your Choice”

November 2026 | Guangzhou, China

Award Ceremony

Global Mayors’ Forum