Background The loss of biodiversity is one of the main environmental challenges in Europe. Decisions about urbanisation, the construction of infrastructure and the protection of green spaces all impact directly on the conservation of biodiversity in an important way. At the same time, they impact directly on quality of life for European citizens and climate change. Local governments are at the frontline when it comes to these planning decisions and managing natural resources. It is therefore imperative that biodiversity considerations and the microclimatic function of cities' green areas are integrated into urban planning decisions and the management of urban natural resources. Legally requested (management) responsibilities regarding nature protection for local authorities are increasing, but up to now only very few local authorities have the required know-how. There are initiatives in various EU countries to motivate municipalities to improve the way they protect nature and biodiversity within their urban planning decisions. However, there is little in the way of exchange or collaboration and therefore no use of synergies. The existing initiatives have not led to a significant change of the situation towards the halt of loss of biodiversity in the urban environment. Objectives The aim of the “European Capitals of Biodiversity” project was to set up biodiversity competitions for local authorities in different EU countries and establish a concept for an overall European award. These aimed to reward good practice through recognition of the best urban areas as ‘Capitals of Biodiversity’. This ultimately aimed to encourage improved nature and biodiversity protection in urban areas across the EU. The award of European Capitals of Biodiversity aimed to achieve the following sub-objectives: Raise awareness of local authorities on nature protection and conservation of biodiversity; Motivate local authority initiatives regarding nature protection and conservation of biodiversity; Support local authorities to fulfil legal compliance regarding nature and biodiversity protection; Recognise and promote the spread of good practice in urban nature and biodiversity protection; Raise awareness among the general public of biodiversity issues and the importance of their collaboration.In achieving the above sub-objectives around nature and biodiversity protection, the project hoped to deliver the extension and increased accessibility of green areas and, by association, improve urban quality of life. It expected to encourage adaptation to climate change and mitigate its impacts. It also hoped to contribute to achievement of the objectives of the European Biodiversity Strategy and improve the coherence and management of the Natura 2000 Network. Results The project successfully organised nine “Capitals of Biodiversity” competitions in five EU countries. The project confirmed that awards can be a useful instrument for motivating local authorities, whilst also learning lessons about the appropriate frequency and administrative demand attached to such a competition. Altogether, nine national competitions were organised: two rounds in France, Hungary, Slovakia and Spain; and one round in Germany. The municipalities were judged on their specific actions in conserving and protecting nature and biodiversity specific to their local area – not on the natural beauty of their surroundings. Participation was open to municipalities of all sizes, so that even small villages had the chance to be – and indeed were – crowned national ‘Capitals of Biodiversity’. An important achievement of the project was demonstrating the implementation of a monitoring system for urban biodiversity with a standardised set of key indicators and a common reporting structure. The monitoring system was tested in around 540 EU cities and municipalities. It was the first time that the "Singapore Index" on biodiversity indicators was applied on such a level and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was highly interested in the monitoring reports. The publicity and positive image associated with doing well in the competition were an important motivating factor for municipalities to revise their local biodiversity protection activities and participate in the competition. However, the project also learnt that questionnaires that were too detailed or that were repeated too soon after a previous competition round were important limiting factors on the number of candidates for the awards. Germany benefited from organising just one round during the lifetime of the project. One of the most important added values of the project for the different municipalities was the independent and qualified assessment of their biodiversity initiatives. The ecosystem services assessment provided by the project helped to connect science and policy making at local level. Involvement in the competition thus helped municipalities to build understanding and capacity in terms of implementing best biodiversity-protection practice even if they did not win. An important additional action of the project was the dissemination of the winning initiatives, best practice examples and model projects through national and international publications. The outcomes of the first competitions were also used for training purposes during capacity building workshops organised by the project in support of the second round. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Communication report (see "Read more" section).