Apply for the AIVP Prize Antoine Rufenacht
The call for applications for the 2026 edition of the AIVP Antoine Rufenacht Prize will be open from March 2 to July 31, 2026.
While awaiting the launch of the next call for applications, take the opportunity to discover—or rediscover—the candidate projects from the 2024 edition!
Who is eligible to compete for the Prize?
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
The AIVP Prize Antoine Rufenacht is awarded to port authorities and/or local or regional authorities that have realized a development project:
1/ Located in a port city interface zone and/or on a former port site
2/ Completed in the last three years
3/ Including a global development strategy for the port city and its ecosystem
4/ In line with the sustainable development goals identified in the Agenda 2030 of AIVP
Further information:
- Port authorities and local or regional authorities that have carried out a project in partnership that meets the eligibility criteria for the prize are encouraged to submit a joint application.
- The AIVP Prize Antoine Rufenacht is open to both AIVP members and non-members and to both maritime and river port cities.
- Only port authorities and/or local or regional authorities are eligible to apply.
- The prize cannot be granted to private stakeholders or individual representatives.
Key dates
From the 2nd of March to the 31th of July 2026
Preparation and submission of applications => Applicants will be informed of the eligibility of their application no later than one week after they have submitted.
July and August 2026
The expert panel will assess each entry according to a common analysis grid
September 2026
In-person meeting of the Expert panel to choose the shortlist to be voted on by the Grand jury
The 2nd and 3rd of October 2026
In-person meeting of the Grand jury in Dunkirk (France), interview of the finalist, choice of the winner.
From the 3rd to the 6th of November 2026
Announcement of the winner and official Prize ceremony during the AIVP World Conference in Dunkirk (France)
Assessment criteria
The Jury is responsible for evaluating and selecting the applications according to the following criteria:
Originality
What is the added value of the project in terms of planning, realization, and uses, to improve port city relations?
Relevance
What is the relevance of the project in light of the Agenda 2030 of AIVP?
Impact
What are the concrete results obtained by the project regarding specific goals of the Agenda 2030 by AIVP?
Model character
How can the project serve as a model?
Application quality
Is the proposal clear and well-presented?
The Sustainable Development Goals of the Agenda 2030 by AIVP
The Agenda 2030 by AIVP has defined 10 sustainable development goals related to the challenges of port city relations. The way the applicant projects have translated these goals into a concrete realization will be one of the main criteria of analysis of the jury.
The 10 goals of the Agenda 2030 by AIVP are the following:
1/ Climate change adaptation: preparing port cities for the consequences of climate change
2/ Energy transition & circular economy: developing innovative sustainable industries and energy projects for port city territories
3/ Sustainable mobility: finding new mobility solutions connecting city and port
4/ Renewed governance: using innovative governance for sustainable port cities
5/ Investing in human capital: human capital for port and social development
6/ Port culture and identity: local port identity as a key asset for a sustainable relationship with citizens
7/ Quality food for all: port cities are crucial for sustainable food distribution
8/ Port city interface: port city interface is a resource to mix different programs
9/ Health & Life quality: having good living conditions is a priority for the port city
10/ Protecting biodiversity: port city biodiversity must be preserved and protected
Candidates commitment
By accepting to apply for the AIVP Prize Antoine Rufenacht, candidates are engaged:
1/ To bring to the AIVP Prize Antoine Rufenacht’s team all the required information, particularly in the context of the application process or for communication purposes.
2/ If the applicant project has been selected, as a finalist, attend, at their own cost, the Grand jury meeting and the AIVP World Conference in Dunkirk (France) for the announcement of the winner and the official prize ceremony.