European colleges, skills institutions and universities have been invited to nominate their stories of staff and students working together for the environment and be awarded with a Green Gown held in high esteem by governments and funding councils.

The Global Universities Partnership on Environment and Sustainability (GUPES) Green Gown Awards are supported by UNEP and the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges.

The European award for 2016 is themed ‘student engagement,’ with examples called for from staff and students demonstrated to have worked in partnership to achieve a green goal. Actions to be rewarded could include social media projects, environmental awareness campaigns or volunteering activities for example.

Applications are welcome until 12 noon GMT on 31 May 2016 from all tertiary education institutions that are members of the GUPES partnership.

The Green Gown accolade is respected by governments, funding councils, senior management, academics and students.

Aside from Europe, calls for nominations have been issued in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America and West Asia.

A winner from each region will be announced on 1 August 2016 and be automatically entered into the running for an International Green Gown Award. A ceremony for the winners will take place on 13 September at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

GUPES - one of the flagship programmes of UNEP’s Environmental Education and Training Unit – aims to integrate environmental and sustainability concerns into teaching, ensure that university infrastructure goes green and enhance student participation in sustainability activities. Membership of the network is free of charge.

To read the full call for 2016 GUPES Green Gown proposals, including guidance on how to apply and write a strong application, please click here.

For further information please write to wondwosen.asnake@unep.org