Winners of the First Edition of the Greening Award Initiative Announced

The inaugural edition of the Greening Award Initiative, designed to celebrate the sustainability actions undertaken by over 300 authorities within the European Coast Guard community, has concluded successfully. The initiative is jointly organized by the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA), the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex). It recognizes projects that promote a green transition, contribute to a sustainable future, and align with the goals of the European Green Deal.

The winners and special commendations were announced at the Annual European Coast Guard Event, held from June 25-27 and organized by EFCA. The categories and their respective honorees are as follows:

Greening Operations

• Winner: Grand Harbour Clean Air Project, Malta
• Special Commendation, Technical Excellence: Patrol boats for fishing inspection & surveillance and Short/mid-range system for fisheries inspection & surveillance (joint project), Spain
• Special Commendation, Sustainable Impact: Remote measurements for SOx and NOx monitoring, Belgium
• Special Commendation, Sustainable Transformation: Hybrid propulsion naval units for Venice, Italy

Outreach and Awareness

• Winner: Seawatchers, Denmark
• Special Commendation, Community Outreach: Baltic Sea Animal Rehabilitation Centre, Lithuania
• Special Commendation, Next Generation: Clean Harbour Cherbourg Project, France

Greening at Work

• Winner: Working Together Towards a Greener Europe Project, Belgium
• Special Commendation: Naval fleet green update project and Guardia di Finanza: towards an eco-sustainable future (joint project), Italy

Stewardship of the Seas

• Winner: RPAS in the Mediterranean project, Italy
• Special Commendation: Protecting Seagrass Meadows project, Portugal

Honourable Mention: Future Sustainable Vision

• Heroinas de Salvora, Spain
• OPV 2025, Finland
• Greening the Blue, Sweden

The Greening Award Initiative showcases the innovative and impactful work being carried out by the European Coast Guard community to foster sustainability and environmental stewardship across Europe’s coastlines and maritime sectors. The recognized projects highlight the commitment of these authorities to promoting green practices and supporting the broader goals of the European Green Deal.