The European Commission has officially launched the application process for the 2028 European Green Capital and European Green Leaf Awards, recognising cities that demonstrate leadership in environmental sustainability and quality of urban life. Applications open on 8 December 2025 and will be accepted until 1 April 2026.
The awards target cities of different sizes: municipalities with more than 100,000 residents can apply for the European Green Capital title, while towns and smaller cities with populations above 20,000 are eligible for the European Green Leaf Award. The initiative highlights the growing role of cities in tackling climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss, as more than two-thirds of Europeans live in urban areas.
Winning cities will receive financial support to advance their environmental initiatives: €600,000 for the Green Capital and €200,000 for each of up to two Green Leaf winners. Applications will be assessed by independent experts across seven criteria, including air and water quality, climate mitigation and adaptation, waste and circular economy, biodiversity, and noise. Shortlisted finalists are expected to be announced in mid-2026, with the winners revealed in autumn 2026.
Beyond the title, participating cities benefit from expert feedback, international visibility, and inclusion in a network of leading European municipalities committed to sustainable and resilient urban development.
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