Europe is an urban society, with many environmental challenges to face.  The European Commission has long recognised the important role that local authorities play in improving the environment, and their high level of commitment to genuine progress.

The European Green Capital Award has been conceived as an initiative to promote and reward these efforts.

Annual Award from 2010

Starting in 2010, one European city will be selected each year as the European Green Capital of the year. The award is 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.

Cities as Role Models

The award aims to provide an incentive for cities to inspire each other and share best practices, while at the same time engaging in friendly competition. In other words, the cities become role models for each other.

“The finalists and winners of the European Green Capital Award provide us with valuable real-life examples of how respect for the environment, excellent quality of life and economic growth can all be successfully combined,”

EU Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Janez Potočnik.

This short video examines the benefits of being a European Green Capital. So don’t miss out! Get your city involved to be the next European Green Capital 2015