Warsaw gets 2020 Access City Award

Warsaw gets 2020 Access City Award

Warsaw

 

Image: Old city of Warsaw

 

The EU has announced the 2020 Access City Award. The award, launched in 2010 by the European Commission together with the European Disability Forum, aims to raise awareness of the challenges faces by disabled persons, and to promote accessibility initiatives in European cities. 

The competition involves European cities with a population of more than 50 thousand people. The prize is awarded to applicants who have demonstrated significant and large-scale improvements in city infrastructure for the needs of residents with disabilities.

In 2020, the highest award was received by the capital of Poland, Warsaw.

 

At the award ceremony, European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility, Marianne Thyssen said: “With the Access City Award, winning cities can be an inspiration for other EU cities and beyond that encounter similar challenges. Warsaw, winner of the 10th edition, is a model for others, showing that a lot can be done in a very short amount of time and that commitment can be key to success.”

 

Image: people walking round the Old city square in Warsaw

 

47 cities submitted applications for participation in 2020 competition. The city of Castellode la Plana in Spain and the city of Skelleftea in Sweden took second and third places. Chania in Greece, Tartu in Estonia and Evreux in France received special mention. Chania was recognised for its use of technology to provide accessible parking, Tartu for its grassroots approach to accessibility and finally Evreux for its work on hidden disabilities.

Winners of the previous awards:

  • 2011 - Avila (Spain)
  • 2012 - Salzburg (Austria)
  • 2013 - Berlin (Germany)
  • 2014 - Gothenburg (Sweden)
  • 2015 - Boras (Sweden)
  • 2016 - Milan (Italy)
  • 2017 - Chester (United Kingdom)
  • 2018 - Lyon (France)
  • 2019 - Breda (The Netherlands)
     

 

 Read also: Breda wins 2019 Access City Award