The European Green Capital Award was launched in 2010, as a reward for the cities’ difficult journey of implementing ambitious environmental goals, such as the Zero Pollution Action Plan, Circular Economy Action Plan, and Biodiversity Strategy. With over 70% of Europeans living in urban areas, it is critical for cities to implement such initiatives, to adhere to lower carbon emissions and form an overall sustainable society. Thus, these awards were established to honour cities for their environmental efforts.
The winners of the 2026 European Green Cities Awards have just been announced. Guimarães (Portugal) won the Green Capital prize and Águeda (Portugal) and Vaasa (Finland) were awarded the Green Leaf Award for smaller cities. The three winners will receive prize funds, as well as the benefits of recognition, which can overall boost these cites’ profiles, for example by attracting investment opportunities or building a better quality of life for their citizens.
The winners were chosen from 21 competing cities after careful evaluation by experts and an international jury. These awards highlight the important role of the cities in advancing the green transition and improving the quality of life for citizens across Europe.
Apply to the 2027 edition of the European Green Capital and Green Leaf Awards