EUROPEAN GREEN LEAF 20.01.2015

The European Green Capital Award (EGCA), launched in 2008, is one such initiative. Following its success, many smaller cities have asked for EU recognition of their effort and commitment. In response, the European Commission launches a new initiative called the European Green Leaf (EGL). The European Green Leaf is a new initiative aimed at cities with a population between 50,000 and 100,000 inhabitants. It is an award that recognises commitment to better environmental outcomes, with a particular accent on efforts that generate green growth and new jobs.

The European Green Leaf will be awarded on an annual basis by the European Commission and is open to EU Member States; EU Candidate Countries (Turkey, Republic of Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro and Iceland); Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. All cities are from the countries listed above, which have 50,000 to 100,000 inhabitants at the date of application. The term “city” is understood to be an urban area and an administrative unit governed by a city council or another form of democratically elected body.

The benefits of this award are to  become a city where citizens are willing to work and live in; is recognised at EU level; attractive for new investors; where you can exchange best practices, experiences and knowledge by twinning or Capacity-building with European Green Capital winners; and where you can have valuable national and international media coverage. The Deadline for eligible cities to submit their application is 31 March 2015.

We are calling to our interested members who commit themselves to become a green city, to submit their candidacy for this award.

For more information: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/europeangreenleaf/home_en.htm