Conditions of entry
By submitting an application to the 2026 International Green Gown Awards, you are agreeing to these conditions:
All applications must be received on an official application form in English by the stated deadline. Late applications will not be accepted.
By entering an application you are verifying that the information contained within the application is true to the best of your knowledge. By entering an application you confirm that you have read and understood the guidance notes and the category criteria.
One year rule – Initiatives which won or were highly commended in the previous one year will not be considered for this year’s awards, unless they can provide evidence of further, significant improvement since the last application and this improvement is clearly documented in the application form. They could also consider applying to the Sustainability Institution of the Year category provided that there is evidence of further improvement since the last Award. Other initiatives from the institution, or ones which were previously submitted but unsuccessful, can be re-submitted, again with the condition that they provide documented evidence of further, significant improvements since the previous submission.
Minimum font size for the application form text is Aptos size 10pt. Applications must be completed in English.
Third party organisations may enter on behalf on an institution, but an institution employee must approve the application. Any such listings, including the Award, will use the institution's name and not the third-party organisation.
Applications must be for an individual institution initiative and not for wider sector initiatives. Applications recognising collaboration from multiple institutions are welcomed but must have a leading institution. We recognise that partnerships can have a significant role to solving sustainability issues and these will be recognised – if appropriate - in the form of a group/partnership name.
The Awards organisers reserve the right to refuse an entry if the rules have not been met.
The Awards organisers reserve the right to audit winning applications to ensure that claims made are fully justified.
Applicants, by applying, agree to disseminate good practice to the sector and this information will be in the public domain.
It is the applicant's responsibility to submit under the appropriate category. The Awards organisers will not move entries between categories even if they feel a different category is more appropriate, unless in exceptional circumstances.
The Awards’ organisers have the right to disband a specific category if insufficient entries are received. Applicants will receive 3 working days’ notice to resubmit their application to an alternative category.
The Awards organisers will aim to provide generic feedback on unsuccessful applicants. However, due to the number of applications, this cannot be guaranteed and specific feedback cannot be provided.
Whilst not mandatory, all finalists are encouraged to submit a short 2-minute animation. This can take the form of a video, vlog, infographics or other, as part of their commitment for dissemination to the wider sector.
Entries are accepted from any legal entity within the post-16 education sector residing within the relevant region. All applications will be governed by the same rules, and no preferential treatment will be given.
All applications received agree to their contact details being passed to any relevant supporters or sponsors of the Awards and to be included in relevant future communications. If you do not wish to have your details included, you must notify us by email by 8 September 2026. Please refer to our Privacy Policy for full details.
All applicants confirm the images supplied were obtained with appropriate consent and give permission for EAUC, sponsors and partners to use these images in their communications and marketing.
The Awards organiser’s decisions are final, and no correspondence will be entered into.
The Awards do not provide any funding or financial support.
