Brussels, 13 November 2019
On November 13th, 2019, FEPORT Secretary General attended ESPO Award 2019 ceremony at the “Albert Hall” in Brussels. Four projects from Port of Dover, Dublin Port Company, Ports of Stockholm and Union des Ports de France (UPF) were competing for the prize.
Port of Dover was awarded the ESPO Award 2019 in recognition of its successful strategy to reach out to the local community and to directly communicate with the citizens living in ports’ surroundings.
Using social media as a new way of communicating and demonstrating a high level of transparency about operational achievements, future strategies and environmental challenges and performance are becoming increasingly important for European ports who can only function and further develop if they receive the licence to operate from the local citizens.
Looking back at the selection process in this 11th edition of the ESPO Award, the Chairman of the Jury, Dimitrios Theologitis (picture, left), said: “The Jury was impressed by Port of Dover’s strategy which is centred around campaigns on all media, electronic and others, leaflets, consultations, forums, workshops, sports events. But the most important ingredient of this successful strategy is giving back to the community, be it financial participation in charities and community groups, making the installations available to the public for events, or foreseeing spaces and buildings open to the public”.
Source: ESPO