1.

Eligibility and Participation

The Green Cool Schools Award is open to schools and educational institutions worldwide. Schools are invited to submit one or more school greening projects via the Green Cool Schools platform.

Projects must be submitted by 20:00 (CET) on 15 December 2026.

Projects may be completed, currently being implemented, or planned. All submitted projects must meet the Green Cool Schools Award Criteria, available here.

2.

Public voting and selection of winners

Schools are welcome to submit multiple projects; each project will be voted on separately.

Public voting will take place in January 2027. The project receiving the highest number of valid votes in each participating country will be selected as the national winner.

The organisers reserve the right to review the voting results and to exclude invalid, automated, duplicate, or manipulated votes. The decision of the organisers is final.

The winners will be announced during the international Green Cool Schools Webinar on 3 March 2027.

3.

Financial support and Eligible Costs

The national winners from the Green Cool Schools project countries (Austria, Spain, Hungary, Ireland, Germany) are exclusively eligible to receive financial support of up to €500 to cover documented expenses directly related to the planning, implementation, improvement, or maintenance of their school greening project.

Eligible costs include, but are not limited to,plants, seeds, soil, compost, planters, raised beds, irrigation systems, tools, construction materials, professional services, and necessary repairs or maintenance. General school operating costs, salaries, personal purchases, and expenses unrelated to the submitted project are not eligible.

4.

Reimbursement Procedure

The amount reimbursed will correspond to the actual eligible costs and may not exceed €500. Past expenses are eligible for reimbursement. These. may have been incurred from 31 May 2022 onwards but not before. All itemised receipts for expenses must be submitted to the organisers by 31 May 2027. It will not be possible to issue reimbursements for expenses submitted after this date.

5.

Publication and use of Submitted Materials

By submitting a project, participants confirm that the submitted information is accurate and agree that the submitted texts, photographs and other materials may be used on the Green Cool Schools website, during project events and through project communication channels (social media, press releases and newletters).

6.

Privacy and Consent

Participants are responsible for obtaining all legally required parental/guardian consent and comply with applicable data-protection and privacy laws, particularly for photographs showing pupils or other identifiable persons.