European Natura 2000 Award ceremony

The European Natura 2000 Award recognises the time, dedication and efforts Europeans invest in nature protection and showcases the role Natura 2000 plays in safeguarding our natural heritage and promoting social and economic wellbeing.

At the long-awaited Natura 2000 Award Ceremony 2020, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius, and members of the high-level Jury announced the winners of the five categories and of the European Citizens' Award. 

Commissioner Sinkevičius said:

The COVID pandemic has brought to light the link between healthy, resilient societies and keeping our natural environment in good condition. This year’s winners demonstrate that investing time, energy and resources into nature protection brings big rewards for nature but also for us. They show how conservationists, farmers, foresters, local communities, infrastructure companies and authorities can work together to deliver tangible results for nature and people. These are the models of cooperation and solutions that need to be scaled up if we are to deliver on the commitments of the EU Biodiversity Strategy.

Despite the restrictions imposed by the ongoing pandemic, the Ceremony was a vibrant event, with the Commissioner and Jury present in the Berlaymont, and all 27 finalists joining from across Europe by video link. 

The Ceremony also included a specially adapted version of the world premiere of "Natura gure baitan" (Nature in ourselves): the official video clip of the film “Aralar, the land where the world has a place”, by the Landarlan Environmental Group, one of this edition’s finalists.  “Natura gure baitan” is performed by Pello Ramirez (musician) and Satsa Ramirez (dancer) and produced by ON Produkzioak. The original video can be seen at https://vimeo.com/288001974.

And the winners are … . 

• News release: EU awards excellence in nature protection across Europe
• Subscribe to the Award Newsletter to make sure you have the latest information on the six winners and future editions of the Natura 2000 Award.