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Become the first European Green Capital!

Edited on

25 June 2019
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EU policies

The European Union launches a competition to find Europe’s green capital – and encourage improvements in quality of life for millions of city-dwellers. If you live in a green and pleasant city with a good environmental record, it might be in the running for the EU's first green capital award.

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Europe is now an essentially urban society, with four out of five Europeans living in towns and cities. Most of the environmental challenges facing our society originate from urban areas, but it is also these urban areas that bring together the commitment and innovation needed to resolve them. To inspire planners, local authorities and inhabitants alike, the EU is launching the European green capital award. Starting in 2010, one European city will be selected each year as the European Green Capital of the year.


The award – an idea originating from the cities themselves –  will be given to a city that:

  • Has a consistent record of achieving high environmental standards; 
  • Is committed to ongoing and ambitious goals for further environmental improvement and sustainable development; 
  • Can act as a role model to inspire other cities and promote best practices to all other European cities.

Credit will be given for green spaces, clean public transport and creative thinking on waste management and noise pollution. As an annual green role model, the award-winner will share best practices and network with other European cities, sowing green inspiration all over Europe.

Online applications are now open for any European town or city with more than 200 000 inhabitants. The deadline for the first awards (in 2008, there will be a parallel process to select the winning cities for both 2010 and 2011) is 1st October 2008. After the deadline, all applications will be considered by the evaluation panel. Six cities (three for 2010 and three for 2011) will then be pre-selected to present their application in more detail to the panel.  On this basis, the evaluation panel will submit its recommendations to the jury who will then select the winners of the European Green Capital. The award will be presented to the winners at an award ceremony in December.

The award will boost the winner's international reputation and help it attract talent, visitors and businesses. Stavros Dimas, EU Commissioner for the Environment says: 'I trust that this award will help us turn our urban centres into prosperous places to live and work'. Read More :

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