Green Capital Award

EU role model award for cities

Who will become the first European Green Capital ? It's now possible to apply for becoming green capital cities for 2010 and 2011. The inaugaration event took place in Brussels 22 May 2008. The city of Tallinn initiated the award. Together with the city association in Estonia and 15 other cities in Europe they also laid ground for the further process.

During the launch event, Commissioner Dimas signed a Declaration establishing the award scheme. Award criterias and application form is available at the award new homepage Mr Jüri Ratas, former Mayor of Tallinn and current Vice-President of the Estonian Parliament, who laid the ground for the award in May 2006, along with other mayors.

Any European city with a population of more than 200,000 can apply, and a jury will select the winning cities for 2010 and 2011 later on this year. The award is intended to help European cities become more attractive and healthy places – "fit for life".

The idea is to trigger the development of green strategies and improvement actions in major cities. The criterias focus on various issues like CO2 emissions, transport, energy eficiency, waste treatment, water consumption, management strategies including EMAS certification etc.

Updated: 27. August 2008