From innovation to impact, these place branding initiatives set new benchmarks—meet the winners and finalists of the 2025 Place Brand Impact Story Awards!

Joining the Place Brand Impact Story Awards are a great opportunity for cities, regions and countries looking to gain international recognition for their place branding initiatives: and to argue internally for impact, justifying budgets.

Our comprehensive assessment, aligned with the principles of the IPBA Place Branding Manifesto and the UNSDGs, offers a unique opportunity to showcase your place branding achievements and benchmark your efforts against global standards in sustainable and ethical place branding.

Submitted stories focus on one or more of the following UNSDGs. Here's an overview of all UNSDGs.

A well-crafted place brand impact story should inspire and inform - showcasing the progress of your place branding. It should be:

• Compelling: Your story should captivate from the start, with a clear narrative that unfolds logically and engages.
• Emotionally Resonant: It should make your place's journey relatable and memorable through genuine emotional connections.
• Meaningful: Beyond storytelling, offer insights and lessons that encourage reflection and inspire action.

1. Initial Eligibility Check & Submission

To participate in the Place Brand Impact Story Awards, you must confirm your commitment to responsible place branding by signing the IPBA Place Branding Manifesto, developed by leading scholars in place branding.

Why is this step required? This ensures that all submitted stories align with responsible place branding principles.

Next Steps:

• Register: Submit your registration form.
• Eligibility Check: Our team verifies your submission.
• Receive Submission Link: If eligible, you will receive a link to submit your story.
• Guidance Provided: A detailed guide will help you craft your story.

2. Judging & Evaluation Criteria

Our judges evaluate submissions using a 10-point scale, focusing on five key areas:

• ✔ Completeness of Documentation (20%)
  Does the submission provide strong supporting evidence (e.g., images, web references, impact data)?
  Submissions with little or no supporting evidence score lower, while those with comprehensive proof demonstrating significant impact receive higher scores.
• ✔ Originality (20%)
  How innovative is the approach in integrating sustainability within place branding?
  Basic, conventional strategies score lower, whereas highly creative and inventive approaches receive higher marks.
• ✔ Effectiveness (30%)
  What are the measurable outcomes of the initiative?
  Limited or unclear impact results in lower scores, while well-documented, tangible contributions to sustainability and community identity score higher.
• ✔ Transferability (20%)
  Can this initiative be applied in other places with similar effectiveness?
  If the strategy is difficult to adapt elsewhere, it scores lower; highly adaptable strategies receive higher scores.
• ✔ Longevity (10%)
  Does the initiative align with long-term place branding strategies?
  Short-term efforts receive lower scores, while initiatives designed for lasting impact and reputation-building score higher.