Recognising real climate progress

CANIE, the Climate Action Network for International Educators, began as a grassroots, volunteer-led group of practitioners who wanted to make climate impact a key responsibility for the field.

After the CANIE COP26 Leaders Forum in November 2021, this idea became the CANIE Accord: a shared set of 70 commitments to measure, reduce and mitigate our emissions.

Since then, more than 130 institutions and organisations around the world have signed the CANIE Accord, with the community growing through chapters across the Americas, Europe and Oceania.


These new annual Awards celebrate the institutions and initiatives of Accord signatories showing how climate commitments turn into real progress. Winners will be recognised across ten categories and announced at the opening plenary of The Forum on Education Abroad's Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) Conference in Lisbon on 15 October 2026 and virtually for those not attending.

Ten categories, three groupings

You can enter up to two categories. The CANIE Award is the one exception - the judging committee selects it from all entries received.


By institution size (based on students in international education programs): Best Large Institution (30k+ students), Best Mid-size Institution (10k-30k students), Best Small Institution (under 10k students).


Providers and conferences: Best Large Global Education Provider (1,000+ pax), Best Small Global Education Provider (fewer than 1,000 pax), Best Global Education Service Provider (insurance, support, tech, housing, etc.), Best Global Education Conference.


Initiatives: Best Student-focused Sustainability Initiative, Best Carbon Reduction Initiative.


Chosen by the judging committee: The CANIE Award - Best Environmental Sustainability Program 2026.

How to enter

Write around 500 words on your program or initiative, add links (a video, website or other materials that show it in action), and point to the elements of the CANIE Accord it speaks to. Supporting media is required.


Eligibility: you must be a CANIE Accord signatory. You can enter up to two categories, with a different project in each. Work from the last two years is eligible for 2026 (previous year only from 2027).

Review your commitments

Key dates

Entries open: 10 July 2026

Deadline: 21 August 2026 (midnight GMT)

Finalists announced: 28 August 2026

Winners announced: 15 October 2026, at the opening plenary of The Forum and EMEA Conference in Lisbon, and virtually for those not attending


Submission links are sent directly to CANIE Accord signatories by email. Not yet a signatory? Get in touch and we will be glad to send you one.

Become a signatory