EU Green Capital

The European Green Capital and European Green Leaf awards are a European Commission initiative to recognise a city's commitment to a better urban environment. Cities with populations over 100,000 inhabitants are eligible to apply for the European Green Capital Award while the European Green Leaf is open to cities of between 20,000 and 100,000 inhabitants. Winners demonstrate well-established records of high environmental standards and a commitment to setting ambitious goals for future environmental progress, underpinned by the practical application of sustainable development. The schemes have a particular focus on green growth and job creation. Winners act as ambassadors to inspire other cities and to promote best practices in pursuit of sustainable urban development. The European Green Capital Award commenced in 2010 and the winners to date are: •2024 Valencia •2023 Tallinn • 2022 Grenoble • 2021 Lahti • 2020 Lisbon • 2019 Oslo • 2018 Nijmegen • 2017 Essen • 2016 Ljubljana • 2015 Bristol • 2014 Copenhagen • 2013 Nantes • 2012 Vitoria-Gasteiz • 2011 Hamburg • 2010 Stockholm. The European Green Leaf Awards commenced in 2015 and the winners to date are: • 2024 Elsinore • 2024 Velenje • 2022 Valongo • 2022 Winterswijk • 2021 Lappeenranta • 2021 Gabrovo • 2020 Limerick • 2020 Mechelen • 2019 Cornellà de Llobregat • 2019 Horst aan de Maas • 2018 Leuven • 2018 Växjö • 2017 Galway • 2015 Mollet del Vallès • 2015 Torres Vedras. The application process and the work of the evaluation panel and the Jury are facilitated by the European Green Capital Secretariat.