Official launch to take place on 14 September at the Serafio Complex
Register to attend: https://shorturl.at/D4iQr
The City of Athens is launching the Athens ESG Awards, a new annual initiative aimed at highlighting and rewarding initiatives that have a meaningful and measurable positive impact across the three key ESG pillars: Environmental, Social and Governance.
The official launch will take place on Monday, 14 September 2026, at 9:30 a.m., at Serafio City of Athens (19 Echelidon & 144 Pireos), with the participation of the Mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas, as well as representatives of local government, the business and academic communities, and civil society.
The Mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas, said: “We want sustainability to move from theory into the everyday operation of the city, businesses and the City’s own services. Through the Athens ESG Awards, we are creating an initiative that goes beyond recognition: it highlights good practices, mobilises more organisations and encourages partnerships that have a genuinely positive impact on Athens. We invite businesses, organisations, institutions, groups and active citizens to participate, submit their own initiatives and become part of this effort. Good practices deserve not only to be rewarded, but also to serve as examples and be replicated across the city.”
From sustainability to action: A new culture for the city
The Athens ESG Awards are implemented by Develop Athens S.A., through the City of Athens’ Energy Poverty Alleviation Office (EPAO), and by DAEM S.A., as part of the City’s broader strategy to promote sustainability, responsible business and the adoption of ESG practices across Athens.
The initiative is supported by academics from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Professors Andreas Papandreou and Dimitrios Balios, as well as Professor Ioannis Nikolaou of the Democritus University of Thrace (DUTH). They have prepared the relevant studies for the project “ESG and the City of Athens: Mapping, Training, Promotion and Recognition”, as well as the corresponding “Guides to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Practices” for businesses and the City’s services.
Who can participate
Businesses, services and employees of the City of Athens, organisations and collective initiatives, volunteer groups and active citizens are invited to participate by submitting actions and good practices that contribute to creating a more sustainable, socially responsible and resilient Athens.
During the event, the philosophy and key pillars of the Athens ESG Awards, the award categories, evaluation criteria and participation process will be presented. The digital platform for submitting entries will also be unveiled.
A comprehensive ESG strategy for Athens
The Athens ESG Awards are part of a broader initiative focused on developing a scientific evidence base and practical tools to promote sustainability in Athens.
At the same time, as part of the Athens Sustainability Portal, free digital sustainability tools powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) are being developed for businesses operating within the City of Athens. Through these tools, businesses will be able to record key ESG data and indicators, create their own sustainability report and receive support in shaping their sustainability strategy, strengthening their competitiveness and resilience.
The strategy also extends to the City of Athens itself and its municipal companies, through the development of corresponding frameworks, performance indicators and self-assessment tools.
The goal is to create a comprehensive ESG ecosystem for Athens, connecting scientific evidence, information and guidance with digital support, performance measurement and the recognition of good practices, making sustainability more accessible and actionable for local government, businesses and citizens.
First Athens ESG Awards ceremony to take place in December
The first Athens ESG Awards ceremony will take place in December 2026, with the awards designed as an annual initiative. The aim is to highlight and reward initiatives that create a genuine positive impact on the city and to showcase them as examples that can be adopted and replicated.
Attendance at the 14 September event is open to the public.
Complete the registration form here:
https://shorturl.at/D4iQr
For more information: gaef-pr@developathens.gr
