The European Green Leaf Award is open to all towns and cities from the EU Member States with a population of 20,000 and up to 99,999 inhabitants. The Rules of Contest for the latest cycle of the European Green Leaf Award are available here. The Rules of Contest must be followed in order for applicant cities to submit eligible applications.
At the heart of every winning city, there are citizens.
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. You can find them here.
As a European Green Leaf winner for 2026, Águeda demonstrates how a city can seamlessly blend economic growth, cultural vitality and environmental stewardship to create a vibrant, sustainable future for its residents and beyond.
Recognised for its exemplary integration of energy use into education activities, Vaasa empowers its young citizens with the tools and knowledge to contribute to a sustainable future. As a European Green Leaf winner for 2026, Vaasa is a strong example of how innovation, collaboration and a deep resp
With a population of almost 94,000 inhabitants, Treviso is a vibrant city, now recognised as sustainable example among small European cities.
Viladecans is approaching environmental commitment through a multi-level approach in a very convincing and joyful way and is focusing its whole strategy for their year as European Green Leaf winner on two main pillars: the ecological transition and promotion of a healthy lifestyle.
Valongo is located in the North of Portugal, District of Porto and is part of the Metropolitan Area of Porto.
Winterswijk is located in the East of the Netherlands and provides space for a total of 28,852 inhabitants.
The City of Gabrovo is recognised as a frontrunner in climate and energy initiatives in Bulgaria, having reduced CO2 emissions by 32.9% by 2018 and receiving accolades such as the European Green Leaf Award in 2021.
Lappeenranta is a municipality located in south-eastern Finland with its urban centre situated on the shores of Lake Saimaa.