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Press release24 May 2022Directorate-General for Environment

Urban sustainability: Which European cities are competing for the EU Green Capital and Green Leaf Awards?

A new batch of European cities have chosen to take up the challenge and join the competition for the next European Green Capital and European Green Leaf Awards. By entering the competition, the cities want to show that they are already on the path of green transition, creating a healthier environment for their citizens.

For cities over 100.000 inhabitants, the cities competing for the European Green Capital Award 2024 are: Cagliari (Italy), Florence (Italy), Košice (Slovakia), Kraków (Poland), Murcia (Spain), Prato (Italy), Sofia (Bulgaria) and Valencia (Spain).

EGC - winning cities

 

For smaller cities as of 20.000 inhabitants, the cities competing for the European Green Leaf Award 2024 are: Alytus (Lithuania), Aulnay-sous-Bois (France), Bistriţa (Romania), Elsinore (Denmark), Errenteria (Spain), Garges-lès-Gonesse (France), Sisak (Croatia), Grevena (Greece), Treviso (Italy) and Velenje (Slovenia).

EGL applicant cities

 

Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius, said:

Cities and regions are at the forefront of implementing European Green Deal laws and policies. It is very encouraging to see that even during challenging times many European cities are working with their citizens to make our urban environment cleaner, greener and more livable. The path of green transition is not always straightforward, but is surely one of learning and cooperation. I applaud the European Green Capital and Green Leaf Award applicants for their resolve and openness to showcase their efforts.

The winners will be announced on 27 October 2022 at the Awards Ceremony in Grenoble, this year’s European Green Capital.

Next steps of the competition

First stage: A panel of twelve independent experts will now begin a technical assessment of each application to propose a list of finalists for each Award. Experts will assess the European Green Capital applications on the basis of 12 environmental indicators and the European Green Leaf applications based on six environmental topic areas.  A shortlist of finalist cities will be announced in the summer of 2022 for both Awards.

Second stage: In October, the finalist cities will be invited to an international Jury panel, chaired by the European Commission. Finalists shall present to the Jury their communication strategy along with an action plan on how they intend to fulfil its European Green Capital year, should the city win.

Award prizes: The European Green Capital winner will receive a financial prize of €600,000 to implement key actions across six areas: waste, water, air quality, noise, biodiversity, and soil. The title of European Green Leaf is awarded to one or two cities. Each winner is granted a financial prize of €200,000.

What are the benefits?

Being a European Green Capital or a European Green Leaf brings many benefits long after the designated ‘winner’ year ends. Winners get attention on a European or even international scale plus they create a spirit of optimism in their city, which attracts more investors, more national support and citizens, proud to be part of it. More background information can be read in our press kit.

For more information:

Websites: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/europeangreencapital

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/europeangreencapital/europeangreenleaf/

Twitter: @EU_GreenCapital

Facebook: www.facebook.com/EuropeanGreenCapitalAward

LinkedIn: European Green Capital Award

EU Policy on Urban Environment: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/urban/index_en.htm

 

Details

Publication date
24 May 2022
Author
Directorate-General for Environment

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