2027 SCAG Sustainability Award Application

2027 SCAG Sustainability Awards
The SCAG Sustainability Awards are open to governmental agencies. Non-governmental agencies such as community-based organizations, nonprofits, and universities can apply in partnership with governmental agencies.For more than 15 years, SCAG has highlighted excellence in sustainable planning and projects across Southern California through the annual Sustainability Awards. The SCAG Sustainability Awards recognize projects for outstanding contributions to the goals and policies of Connect SoCal, SCAG’s Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy, and for progressing toward a more mobile, sustainable, and prosperous region.

To better reflect the region’s evolving priorities and the diversity of Southern California, SCAG has revamped the award categories to recognize excellence in sustainability in every county in the SCAG region.

SCAG will present eight Sustainability Awards, including six County Sustainability Awards, one for each county of the SCAG region, the best project demonstrating equity, and the best overall project. Every nomination will also be considered for the Outstanding Achievement in Sustainability Award. No separate application is required for the outstanding achievement award. The winners will be recognized at the 2027 Regional Council Conference and General Assembly at the JW Marriott Resort & Spa in Palm Desert on May 6, 2027.

Eligibility & Deadline

The SCAG Sustainability Awards are open to governmental agencies. Non-governmental agencies such as community-based organizations, nonprofits, and universities can apply in partnership with governmental agencies. Applicants are also encouraged to submit a joint entry for projects that span multiple agencies, sectors, and geographies. Submittals include projects completed or adopted between Jan. 1, 2023, and March 1, 2027.

Deadline for Applications:

Dec. 18, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

Evaluation Process & Criteria

Applicants will submit nominations for their respective County Sustainability Award or the Carmen Ramirez Equity Award. All nominations will be considered for the Outstanding Achievement in Sustainability Award. For detailed information on project eligibility and evaluation criteria, see the 2027 Sustainability Awards Guidelines.

Contact

For questions regarding the 2027 SCAG Sustainability Awards, please contact Sebastian Shetty at shetty@scag.ca.gov.
Part 1: Nominee/Project Information
Title of Project
Project Adoption, Construction, or Completion Date

MonthDayYear
2 digit month, 2 digit day, 4 digit yearDate
City/Agency/Jurisdiction
Primary county where project is located (select one, even if the project spans multiple counties)
SCAG will present eight 2027 Sustainability Awards: six County Sustainability Awards, the Carmen Ramirez Award for Equity, and the Outstanding Achievement in Sustainability Award. Every nomination is considered for its respective County Sustainability Award, as well as the Outstanding Achievement in Sustainability Award and the Carmen Ramirez Award for Equity. No separate application is required for the outstanding achievement and equity award.

County Sustainability Awards

Each application for a County Sustainability Award should describe how the project, program, or policy aligns with Connect SoCal goals and objectives and one or more of the four Connect SoCal pillars. Possible examples are included under each pillar below. Applications will be reviewed for how strongly they align with the evaluation criteria and do not need to align with multiple pillars to be successful.

Carmen Ramirez Award for Equity

Honors a project, program, plan, policy, or collaboration that advances equity and fosters healthy, livable, sustainable, and economically resilient communities. Efforts may include removing systemic barriers, supporting meaningful community engagement, expanding access to opportunity, improving outcomes for traditionally marginalized, vulnerable, or underrepresented populations, and advancing environmental and social justice through inclusive and collaborative approaches.
Indicate if the nomination is for the County Sustainability Awards or the Carmen Ramirez Equity Award
Each application for a County Sustainability Award should describe how the project, program, or policy aligns with Connect SoCal goals and objectives and one or more of the four Connect SoCal pillars.

Mobility

Project, program, plan, or policy that improves mobility, accessibility, connectivity, and/or safety while advancing sustainable transportation choices. Examples may include active transportation, clean mobility, transportation demand management (TDM), systems and technology innovation, multimodal access, and other strategies that reduce emissions and expand equitable transportation options.

Communities

Project, program, plan, or policy that creates vibrant, complete, and inclusive communities through housing, placemaking, community development, or public space improvements. Examples may include efforts that support affordability, livability, walkability, resilience, equitable access to opportunity, and stronger connections between land use, transportation, and community amenities.

Environment

Project, program, plan, or policy that reduces greenhouse gas emissions, strengthens climate resilience, protects natural resources, or advances environmental sustainability. Examples may include climate action/adaptation, clean energy, green infrastructure, conservation, carbon reduction, public health, and other strategies that help communities respond to environmental challenges.

Economy

Project, program, plan, or policy that promotes economic vitality, resilience, and opportunity through investment, innovation, workforce development, business support, or strategic partnerships. Examples may include funding and financing initiatives, job creation, regional competitiveness, and other efforts that align economic growth with sustainability and equity goals.
If you indicated the nomination is for the County Sustainability Awards, select the pillar that best fits your project
Project Website (if applicable)
Primary Contact Person
Name

First NameLast Name
Title
Agency
Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Email
example@example.com
Secondary Contact Person
Name

First NameLast Name
Title
Agency
Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Email
example@example.com
Did this project receive grant funding or technical assistance from SCAG?
Part 2: Description of Nomination and Alignment

(maximum 1000 words)
Please provide a brief summary of the nominated project, program, plan, or policy and describe how it supports Connect SoCal, sustainability, and aligns with your selected pillar(s), or the equity award. If the project, program, plan, or policy has received SCAG funding, please indicate that in the summary.

0/1000
Part 3: Key Characteristics

(maximum 1000 words)
Please describe specific key details on the project, program, plan, or policy, such as planned, targeted, or achieved outcomes, benefits and co-benefits, and any key collaborations/partnerships that have been crucial.

0/1000
Part 4: Vulnerable/Disadvantaged Community Benefits

(maximum 1000 words)
Please list how the project, program, plan, or policy benefits and/or includes traditionally marginalized, vulnerable, or underrepresented communities.

0/1000
Part 5: Partners/Collaborators Recognition

(maximum 1000 words)
If you would like to, you have the option to identify key collaborators/partners that have played an important role in the initiative, such as other agencies, consultants, community-based organizations, etc. Should your application be awarded, these key collaborators would also be recognized. This is completely optional and does not affect application scoring since collaborations/partnerships are included in the Part 3 (Key Characteristics) response. (Optional)

0/1000
Uploads
Photos/Supporting Graphics (Required)

A total of eight photos or supporting graphics in JPG format. The maximum size for each upload is one megabyte. Please include a brief one-sentence description for each image in the field below the file upload. Winning projects will be asked to provide higher resolution images and may be used to make a video to be presented at the awards program and SCAG’s Regional Conference and General Assembly, in print materials on SCAG’s website, and in case studies
Photos/Supporting Graphics Upload

8 files maximum
Cancelof
Provide filename and description for each file uploaded below. Click the "Save & Add Row" button to add lines for additional files.
Letters of Support (Optional)

Submit no more than two letters of support from organizations and individuals involved in the project indicating why the project is worthy of an award. Letters of support must be on the supporting agency’s letterhead and in PDF format.
Letters of Support Upload

2 files maximum
Cancelof
Additional Links (Optional)
Please submit any additional links to help the jury panel better understand your project. These can be promotional videos, project websites, etc. Click the "Save & Add Row" button to add lines for additional links.
Should be Empty:

2027 SCAG Sustainability Awards

Eligibility & Deadline

Deadline for Applications:

Dec. 18, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

Evaluation Process & Criteria

Contact

Part 1: Nominee/Project Information

Primary Contact Person

Secondary Contact Person

Part 2: Description of Nomination and Alignment

Part 3: Key Characteristics

Part 4: Vulnerable/Disadvantaged Community Benefits

Part 5: Partners/Collaborators Recognition

Uploads

Photos/Supporting Graphics (Required)

Letters of Support (Optional)

Additional Links (Optional)