Guimarães, Águeda, and Vaasa honoured in 2026 European Green Capital and Green Leaf Awards

The 2026 European Green Capital and Green Leaf Awards have recognised Guimarães, Portugal (PT) as the Green Capital winner; alongside Águeda, Portugal (PT) and Vaasa, Finland (FI) as Green Leaf Award recipients for smaller cities. These cities were celebrated for their commitment to sustainable development, environmental innovation, and community engagement. Guimarães was noted for integrating sustainability into its culture and fostering collaboration among citizens, academia, and businesses. Its “One Planet City” motto and connections across Europe aim to inspire others towards sustainable futures. All finalists demonstrated exceptional dedication, reflecting the competitive nature of the awards and their ability to motivate other cities.

Águeda and Vaasa, the Green Leaf winners, impressed the jury with their unique strategies for community involvement in sustainability. Águeda showcased a structured and inclusive approach, employing tools like online dashboards and leveraging art and culture to drive its green transition. Vaasa’s ambition to achieve carbon neutrality stood out, with the city utilising its energy sector as a catalyst for systemic change. It emphasises citizen awareness and education, aiming to embed sustainability within the community from a young age. Both cities are poised to serve as examples for others in their respective regions.

The awards highlight the role of urban areas in implementing the European Green Deal and achieving sustainability goals. Since 2010, the European Green Capital Award and its Green Leaf counterpart have acknowledged cities’ efforts to enhance environmental quality, align with EU action plans, and build resilient, low-carbon communities. Winners receive financial prizes, EUR 600 000 for Guimarães and EUR 200 000 each for Águeda and Vaasa, to support their initiatives. These accolades not only recognise accomplishments but also enhance city profiles, foster optimism, and attract investments, ultimately improving the quality of life for citizens.

For additional information cna be found here on the current and previous European Green Cities Award winners.

Author: Carla Giaume

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