Skip to main content
EU Urban Mobility Observatory
  • News article
  • 5 January 2024
  • 3 min read

European Commission launches applications for the 2026 European Green Capital and Green Leaf Awards

The European Commission has opened applications for the 2026 European Green Capital and Green Leaf Awards. These awards recognise the efforts made by European towns and cities towards a more sustainable urban environment. Actions taken range from reducing the impact on the local and global environment, to improving the quality of life for their inhabitants by enhancing mobility infrastructure.

Winning cities are awarded a financial prize, while also joining cities such as Tallinn, Valencia, and Vilnius in a growing network of European cities that are committed to a more just, sustainable future for all.

The leading role of cities in this transition was emphasised by Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius:

“Our EU Green Deal work becomes a reality through greener cities that take up the right initiatives. And there is a chance to shine and get rewarded for that effort. It’s our European Green Capital and Green Leaf Awards. I am calling on our European cities to pick up the challenge and apply for the 2026 titles. This is an opportunity not only to win the prestigious title, but also to share great stories and actions with other cities, inspiring one another in the process.”

Monetary rewards are given to the award winners. By funding upcoming projects and actions that improve the city’s environmental performance, this cash price will help bring forward the city’s environmental objectives. Up to two Green Leaf winners will get EUR 200,000 each, while the winner of the Green Capital Award will receive EUR 600,000.

To be eligible for the European Green Capital Award, a city must have over 100,000 inhabitants. Alternatively, the European Green Leaf Award recognises initiatives taken by smaller cities and towns with more than 20,000 inhabitants.

How to apply

Cities and towns interested in nominating themselves for the award should register via the EU survey. This will ensure that all relevant information and the application form is received in advance.

The deadline for applying: 30 April 2024

The criteria for selection for both awards are determined based on seven environmental indicators: air quality, water, biodiversity, green areas & sustainable land use, waste and circular economy, noise, climate change mitigation, and climate change adaptation. Additionally, the city should have a consistent record of achieving these environmental standards and be committed to further environmental progress.

A panel of urban sustainability experts will review the performance of cities against these environmental indicators and make recommendations to the Commission who will select a group of finalist cities. These cities will be invited to present in front of a panel of juries where they are given the opportunity to provide additional information on their sustainability governance and strategy. The winner is then selected in the autumn (around October 2024).

To know more about the process and criteria for selection.

Background

The European Commission established the European Green Capital award in 2008. The first city to win the award was Stockholm, for the year 2010. It was launched to recognize the important role that local authorities play in furthering environmental causes and enhancing the quality of life for residents of European cities. As more of the European population lives in urban areas, the need for social, environmental, and economic transformation becomes increasingly important.

Since the onset of the award, 16 cities have been awarded the European Green Capital Award: Vilnius (2025), Valencia (2024), Tallinn (2023), Grenoble (2022), Lahti (2021), Lisbon (2020), Oslo (2019), Nijmegen (2018), Essen (2017), Ljubljana (2016), Bristol (2015), Copenhagen (2014), Nantes (2013), Vitoria-Gasteiz (2012), Hamburg (2011) and Stockholm (2010).

17 smaller cities have won the European Green Leaf Award: Treviso, Italy and Viladecans from Spain (2025), Elsinore in Denmark and Velenje from Slovenia (2024), Winterswijk in The Netherlands and Valongo, Portugal (2022), Grabovo, Bulgaria and Lappeenranta, Finland (2021), Limerick, Ireland and Mechelen, Belgium (2020); Cornellà de Llobregat, Spain, and Horst aan de Maas, the Netherlands (2019); Leuven, Belgium, and Växjö, Sweden (2018); Galway, Ireland (2017) and Mollèt del Valles, Spain and Torres Vedras, Portugal (2015).

Important Links

 

Author: Hannah Willetts

Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not reflect those of the European Commission. 

Sources

Details

Publication date
5 January 2024
Topic
  • Monitoring and evaluation
  • Public and stakeholder involvement