Competition “Show us the ‘green’ in your city”
Photo competition
| Target Group | Different Ages |
| Used Methods | Learning By Doing Research Survey |
| Categories | Informing Show Traditions Environmental Protection |
| Level of Participation | International Level |
| Approach | Low-Threshold |
| Format of the Method | Digital (Online) |
| Duration of preparation | Medium-Term (1-6 Months) |
| Duration of implementation | Medium-Term (1-6 Months) |
| Website | https://danect.eu/photo-competition-show-us-the-green-in-your-city/ |
Duration
| From | Until |
Short Description
As part of the ViMA Danube project and the Green Week in Ulm, an international photo competition titled “Show Us the ‘Green’ in Your City” was launched in 2023. The competition invited participants from different countries to explore and highlight green spaces in their cities or communities. The objective was to raise awareness about environmental protection, urban nature, and sustainable ways of living in European and Danube region cities.
Im Rahmen des ViMA-Danube-Projekts und der Grünen Woche in Ulm wurde im Jahr 2023 ein internationaler Fotowettbewerb mit dem Titel “Zeig uns das ‘Grün’ in deiner Stadt” gestartet. Der Wettbewerb lud Teilnehmer aus verschiedenen Ländern ein, Grünflächen in ihren Städten oder Gemeinden zu erkunden und hervorzuheben. Ziel war es, das Bewusstsein für Umweltschutz, Stadtnatur und nachhaltige Lebensweisen in den Städten Europas und des Donauraums zu schärfen.
Step-by-step explanation
Step 1
As part of the **ViMA Danube project** and **Ulm’s Green Week 2023**, the international photo competition *“Show Us the ‘Green’ in Your City”* invited participants from across Europe to explore and document green spaces in their cities or communities. The goal was to raise awareness of urban nature, environmental sustainability, and the social value of green infrastructure.
Participants submitted four photos, each with a bilingual description, highlighting a variety of urban green areas — from public parks and gardens to hidden courtyards or innovative rooftop gardens. The competition emphasized both expected and surprising forms of urban greenery, encouraging reflection on how such spaces enhance resilience, biodiversity, and quality of life.
The project also fostered cross-border dialogue, showcasing diverse perspectives from the Danube region. Selected entries were presented online and during Ulm’s Green Week, contributing to civic engagement and shared visions for a greener European future.
Step 2
1. Concept Development
The organizing team defined the competition’s core idea, objectives, and format. The theme focused on urban green spaces and environmental awareness in the context of sustainability and European cooperation. Four thematic categories were developed to guide participant contributions.
Step 3
2. Planning and Coordination
The timeline, submission deadline (11 June 2023), evaluation procedure, and presentation strategy were agreed upon. Tasks were distributed among project staff and partner institutions.
Step 4
3. Drafting and Translating the Call for Participation
A multilingual call for participation (English and German) was created. It included:
Background and aim of the competition
Instructions for submitting 4 photos
Description of the 4 categories
Requirements for texts (3–4 sentences in two languages)
Technical submission details and deadline
Step 5
4. Dissemination and Outreach
The call was distributed widely through:
Partner networks and educational institutions
Newsletters and mailing lists
Social media (Facebook, Instagram, project channels)
The project website danect.eu
Step 6
5. Managing Submissions
An email inbox was prepared to receive and track contributions.
Submissions were checked for:
Completeness (photos + texts)
Compliance with category requirements
Language versions (English and native language)
Step 7
6. Jury Selection and Evaluation Criteria
An international jury was appointed to evaluate the entries.
The evaluation criteria included:
Creativity and originality
Relevance to the theme and category
Clarity of explanation
Aesthetic and documentary value
Step 8
7. Documentation and Archiving
All valid submissions were archived and categorized for:
Jury use
Event presentation
Potential long-term use (e.g. digital gallery, educational toolkit)
Step 9
8. Presentation and Recognition
Selected contributions were:
Presented during Ulm Green Week 2023 (online or in person)
Published on danect.eu and partner platforms
Recognized through certificates, public acknowledgment, or symbolic prizes
Step 10
9. Follow-up and Impact Communication
Post-event documentation included:
A summary of entries and winners
Outreach via newsletters or reports
Integration of the results into future ViMA or DANECT activities
Results
Goals
The central aim of the competition was to raise awareness about the importance of nature and environmental sustainability in urban areas, especially in light of climate change, increasing urbanization, and the spread of impermeable surfaces in modern cities. Through creative participation, the competition offered an accessible opportunity for citizens to reflect on how green infrastructure shapes urban resilience, promotes biodiversity, and enhances quality of life.
Moreover, the competition fostered European cooperation and cultural exchange by collecting visual impressions from cities and towns across the Danube region. The submitted entries reflected a broad variety of geographic, social, and climatic contexts – from densely built urban centers to small riverside communities. In doing so, the project revealed the many faces of “green” in Europe: as a public resource, a place of emotional connection, a design solution for future cities, or an unexpected oasis in concrete landscapes.
The project was supported by a multilingual call for participation, accessible communication materials, and a network of partner organizations that helped spread the invitation to a diverse European audience. Participants were asked to submit four photos along with short bilingual descriptions (in English and their national language), categorized according to thematic guidelines (e.g. public green, personal favorite place, unexpected greenery, or future-oriented urban green design).
Winning entries were presented via the project website and celebrated in (online) events as part of the Ulm Green Week program. By combining creative expression, local observation, and European dialogue, the photo competition contributed meaningfully to civic education, environmental engagement, and shared visions for a greener, more sustainable urban future.
What is needed
From Participants
Awareness of the Theme
– Understanding the focus: showcasing meaningful green spaces in urban or semi-urban areas.
Submission of 4 Photos
– Each representing at least two of four categories:
Public green for all
Your personal favorite place
Unexpected urban greenery
Urban green for the future
Written Descriptions
– 3–4 sentences per photo, explaining:
Why the location was chosen
How it fits the category
– Texts submitted in English and the participant’s national language
Deadline Compliance
– Entries submitted via email by 11 June 2023.
Technical Format
– Digital photo files (common formats like JPG/PNG)
– Clearly labeled files and text documents
– Consent for publication (if identifiable individuals were included)
From Organizers
Clear Competition Guidelines
– Thematic categories, formatting rules, evaluation criteria
Communication Tools
– Multilingual outreach materials and partner network distribution
– Website and email setup for submissions and promotion
Jury Coordination
– Diverse panel to evaluate entries based on creativity, relevance, and impact
Follow-Up and Dissemination
– Digital publication of selected contributions
– Event or online presentation to recognize participants