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International Right to the City and Good Practices Award
The city's Ombudsman, in conjunction with Human Rights Day, is pleased to announce the first edition of the Right to the City and Good Practices Award. This award is open to ombudsman offices, human rights institutions, and organizations from around the world, recognizing innovative projects, initiatives, or actions that make local human rights a reality. Registration will open soon and will be announced through Ombudsman’s usual channels.
The aim of the award is to recognize and highlight best practices being implemented at the local level that contribute to the defense and promotion of the Right to the City. This right ensures that all citizens —including those who may not be residents— have the ability to use, occupy, and help create just, inclusive, and sustainable cities.
The award also serves a charitable purpose, as the financial prize will be donated to a local association or entity, which will choose the winning candidate. The jury will consist of distinguished individuals and representatives from renowned social organizations who are experts in the Right to the City and local human rights, in addition to the Ombudsman of Barcelona, David Bondia.
The international award is divided into the following four categories, reflecting the pillars of a democratic city that respects diversity:
- Equitable City Category: For initiatives that ensure universal access to basic services and reduce inequalities.
- Livable and Sustainable City Category: For projects that guarantee a healthy, inclusive environment that respects the natural surroundings.
- Guarantor City Category: For actions that strengthen the protection of rights, transparency, and citizen participation.
- Diverse City Category: For experiences that promote coexistence and value plurality as a driver of social cohesion.
The awards will be announced on July 15, 2026, and the presentation will take place at an official ceremony in Barcelona on October 31, 2026, as part of International Right to the City Day.
With this initiative, almost unprecedented on a European scale, the Barcelona Ombudsman's Office reinforces its role in collaboration with ombudsperson institutions around the world. The city's ombudsman is currently a member of the Global Alliance of Local Ombudspersons (AGOL), of which the Ombudsman, David Bondia, is the president, and of the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI).
Source: The Barcelona Ombudsman Office, Spain
