The CIPRA project Ground:breaking highlights why unsealing and improving soils benefits everyone and what is needed at the political, legal and local level in the Alpine region to achieve this. One of the key activities in the project is an Alps-wide unsealing competition.

The aim is to collect good practice examples of soil unsealing and improvement measures: whether it's converting car parks into green spaces, revitalising soils to promote biodiversity, eliminating heat islands, restoring permeable surfaces, or creating recreational areas. Ideally, these measures go hand in hand.

The competition runs until 15 November 2024. You can apply via the online application form on our website. The competition is open to municipalities, civil society organisations and initiatives, businesses, research institutions and private individuals within the EUSALP perimeter. Only already completed soil unsealing and improvement measures are eligible to apply.

Apply here!

An international jury of five highly qualified members from Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Italy and France will identify the most committed Ground:breakers. The award ceremony will take place in February 2025 as part of a specialist conference on Alpine spatial planning in Salzburg.

If you have any questions, please contact Marion Ebster-Kreuzer: marion.ebster@cipra.org.