Citizens can make significant changes in favour of healthier villages, cities, countries. In favour of a better planet.
How is that possible?
To best support and inspire you in your green transition, we would like to share citizen’s diaries, stories and good practice factsheets. We hope they will motivate and mostly empower you in your daily life.
Citizen Diaries
Have you ever wondered what it is like to live in a European Green Capital?
Now you can hear from some of the citizens who act as engines of change and pioneer innovative solutions to environmental challenges. We will be posting interviews with residents from our European Green Capital cities to inspire you.
Please check the Citizen Diaries from 2012 to 2021.
Citizen Diaries - Tallinn
![Children picking up litter on the beach](https://environment.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2023-08/AljonaZueva_CitizenDiary_MainPicture.jpg?itok=Xhxdm6nZ)
Aljona Zueva has been chosen as one of our ambassadors for Tallinn - European Green Capital 2023.
Meet Ralf-Martin Soe, one of Tallinn’s European Green Capital ambassadors
![Lauri Klein Portrait](https://environment.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2023-08/LauriKlein_CitizenDiary_MainPicture.jpg?itok=t34I2RxE)
Lauri Klein has been chosen as one of our ambassadors for Tallinn, the European Green Capital 2023.
![Kristjan Lind holding a bike](https://environment.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2023-08/image2.jpg?itok=5v4UAFF4)
Kristjan Lind has been chosen as one of our ambassadors for Tallinn as the European Green Capital 2023.
![World Cleanup Day - Citizen Diary](https://environment.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2023-06/Sans%20titre.png?itok=Xn_hxTwS)
Heidi Solba has been chosen as one of our ambassadors for Tallinn as the European Green Capital 2023.
![Portrait_Ines_Villido_Green_Ambassador_Tallinn](https://environment.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2023-10/Ines.jpg?itok=WvO3m0oy)
Ines-Issa Villido was chosen as one of our ambassadors for Tallinn as European Green Capital 2023.
Citizen Diaries - Grenoble
![Jacques Felix-Faure](https://environment.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2022-06/jacques_2.jpg?itok=6EcHzVeX)
Jacques Félix-Faure, architect for Atelier17C in Barraux (France) has engaged with a tremendous request to build an eight-floor social housing entirely in wood.
![Isabelle Robles](https://environment.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2022-06/isabelle.jpg?itok=dZdULpc7)
Isabelle Robles, agricultural engineer and founder of “MillePousses”, (“One thousand micro sprouts”) has realised her dream: she has built an urban farm with the aim to create social integration jobs and enhance circular economy in Grenoble.
![Bernard Mehl](https://environment.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2022-06/Bernard.jpg?itok=e40OxUuU)
Bernard Mehl, zero food waste ambassador and college canteen responsible, watches over and promotes the “En Isère, stop au gaspillage alimentaire!” plan that fights against food waste in college schools.
![Gloria Leroy_Web](https://environment.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2023-01/GloriaLeroy-web_2.jpg?itok=o6ovV9kZ)
Gloria Leroy, female entrepreneur, vélotaxi (bicycle taxi) driver and soft mobility promoter had the glorious idea to propose a vélotaxi service (bicycle taxi) in Grenoble (European Green Capital 2022).
![Pascal Aspe picking up some flowers in the garden of Terre Vivante](https://environment.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2023-01/CitizenDiaries_PascalAspe-web_1.jpg?itok=8HsHndtE)
Pascal Aspe, a biologist holding a PhD in forest trees genetics, has been training people for years to garden at Terre Vivante.
![Loïc Bouffard on his bycicle](https://environment.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2023-01/CitizenDiaries_LoicBouffard-web_0.jpg?itok=EzRQEvX5)
Loïc Bouffad considers that a trained cyclist is a sustainable cyclist who will not give up on riding his bike at the first technical issue.
Good Practices
Would you like to know more about what makes a city green?
The EU Green Capital Good Practices provide real life examples of how applicant cities and winners have become more sustainable in various areas such as air quality, sustainable public transport, public engagement, urban planing and many others.
Please check the Good Practices and Reports for the cycles from 2010 to 2021.
Good Practices 2024
![Repairing of electrical appliances - Velenje](https://environment.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2023-09/535112060-velenje-3.jpg?itok=n8CctBCV)
Discover how Velenje Reuse Centre reduces waste, creates green jobs, and fosters a circular economy by refurbishing and selling second-hand items, making a positive impact on the environment and the community.
![View of the city of Prato](https://environment.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2024-02/Prato_GP_Factsheet_1_0.jpeg?h=861bb908&itok=kQ1Hj8tu)
This good practice aims to enhance green space, recreational activities, and host cultural events, while restoring the area’s historical significance.
![View of Cagliari](https://environment.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2024-02/AdobeStock_101297452.jpeg?h=1351e596&itok=ZTq-tMBL)
Cagliari aspires to include people in their transition towards their big dream of becoming a sustainable city.
![View of Bistrita](https://environment.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2024-02/Bistrita_Factsheet_3_0.jpg?h=3dbd9eac&itok=x4K154pg)
Bistriţa is actively monitoring indoor and outdoor air quality since 2021, as part of the local sustainable mobility campaign "Bistriţa, Zero Carbon City"
![View of Murcia](https://environment.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2024-02/Murcia_Factsheet_1.jpg?h=3dbd9eac&itok=g0fZ_IgT)
Murcia’s LIFE ENRICH project implements a circular economy approach in wastewater treatment.
![View of Krakow](https://environment.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2024-02/Krakow_Factsheet_2.jpg?h=3dbd9eac&itok=kkNT7zfK)
Krakow aimed to increase public interest in the climate crisis, gather ideas on energy efficiency and derive collaborative recommendations for city actions.
![View of Elsinore in Denmark](https://environment.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2024-02/Elsinore_Factsheet_1.jpeg?h=76de108c&itok=CbARBANS)
Elsinore captures the attention of visitors by showcasing local and sustainable businesses on their GoGreen card.
Good Practices 2023
![Helsingborg Factsheet](https://environment.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2023-01/Helsingborg.jpg?itok=vvxYabtH)
The innovative “Tre Rör Ut” (Three Pipe Wastewater) system collects and separates municipal wastewater closest to the source: in people’s houses.
![Krakow - Code of Good practice](https://environment.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2023-01/20190612_095724.jpeg?itok=IpsqyR5_)
Development and maintenance of green areas that add value to the life of citizens as well as to biodiversity is a challenge that can only be addressed in close cooperation with all the relevant stakeholders in the city.
![krakow air protection map](https://environment.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2022-06/unnamed.png?itok=-oEIzZgs)
Kraków was known as one of the cities with the worst air quality in Europe. About 20 years ago, inhabitants as well as city authorities decided that this was no longer acceptable.
![letter box](https://environment.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2022-03/image1.jpeg?itok=8XkcYGAK)
People need simple ways to deal with difficult waste. Kraków Eco-Boxes show that citizens are willing to engage in an environmentally-friendly waste collection system if it’s easy to use.
![Tallinn's Pollinator Highway](https://environment.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2023-01/Tallinn-Polinator-Highway.jpg?itok=zq8lkywh)
Tallinn has made a rough plan for the development of Putukaväil, a 13 km long linear park, a corridor for biodiversity, green mobility, and public space.
![Smart city sensors2](https://environment.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2023-01/Smart-city-sensors.jpg?itok=Mzx_xyca)
The Smart City sensors in Tallinn collect valuable information on noise in the city and its sources.
![Winning City - Treviso 2025](https://environment.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2023-10/Treviso%20Favourite%20photo%20-%20Canale%20dei%20buranelli-2_0.jpg?itok=ZeR2phFS)
A citizen-based waste collection system like the one implemented in Treviso drives up recycling percentages.
Good Practices 2022
![Aerial view of Birstita, Romania](https://environment.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2024-02/egl-bistrita.jpeg?h=92711d33&itok=HeeEzZUg)
The city of Bistrița, Romania showed how to drop the energy consumption significantly with a structured, well-organised thermal-retrofitting programme. This contributes to the European climate goals and improves the living conditions of the residents.
![Gavà mobility](https://environment.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2022-06/gava%CC%80%20mobility.jpg?itok=z52g8pEb)
The transition towards the use of more sustainable mobility solutions needs an integrated and flexible approach, which is shown by the Spanish City of Gavà in the Gavà Mar area.
![Landscape Valongo Iconic Photo](https://environment.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2023-10/Iconic_Photo_Valongo.jpg?itok=Qqdxa1N9)
The redevelopment of the Quinta do Passal achieved multiple goals. Not only did the appearance of the area significantly improve but it also contributed to the wellbeing of the surrounding inhabitants.
![Landscape Winterswijk Iconic Photo](https://environment.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2023-10/Iconic_Photo_Winterswijk.jpg?itok=Ti3BsJi_)
By educating citizens about the uniqueness of their surrounding landscape, the municipality of Winterswijk creates engagement and social connection.
![Landscape Winterswijk Iconic Photo](https://environment.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2023-10/Iconic_Photo_Winterswijk.jpg?itok=Ti3BsJi_)
Aktief, a collector of bulky household waste, works with people receiving social service benefits to give them work experience at the second-hand shop.