European Commission

 

Evaluation Process


The selection of a city to be awarded the European Green Capital for 2014 will be assessed on the basis of twelve environmental indicators:

  • Local contribution to global climate change
  • Local transport
  • Green urban areas incorporating sustainable land use
  • Nature and biodiversity
  • Quality of local ambient air
  • Noise pollution
  • Waste production and management
  • Water consumption
  • Waste water treatment
  • Eco innovation and sustainable employment
  • Environmental management of the local authority
  • Energy performance

Information to be provided by the applicant cities:

In the application, cities are asked to provide the following information for 12 indicator areas.

The information requested is based on the EMS principles: plan, do, check and act.

Plan: Present details of the original and / or most recent Action Plan, including any relevant disadvantages resulting from historical and / or geographical factors which may have influenced this indicator area negatively.

Do & Check: Details of those targets achieved or not, to date (within the last 5 – 10 years). Provide a review of how both situations occurred and lessons learned.

Act: Plans to meet or revise key targets for the future and proposed approach to achieve these.

Two-tier evaluation process

A panel of internationally acknowledged Experts will assess the information supplied by each city. This will include qualitative evaluations and a peer review of each application based on the 12 indicators above.

Following these evaluations, 3-4 cities will be shortlisted for the 2014 title. The shortlisted cities will be invited to present their action plans and communication strategies to the Jury.

Following these meetings the Jury will deliberate further and the European Green Capital 2014 will be announced at an award ceremony in June 2012.

Key dates in 2011/2012

  • 14th June 2011 – Launch of call for applications to be the European Green Capital 2014
  • 14th October 2011 – Deadline for eligible cities to submit their application via the online application system
  • November 2011 – March 2012 – Expert panel evaluation of all applications including clarifications where needed
  • April 2012 – Preparation of shortlisted cities
  • May 2012 – Presentation of shortlisted cities to the Jury
  • June 2012 – The 2014 winner is announced at a special awards ceremony