Will your city be the next European Green Capital? Today the search to find the city that will inherit the prestigious title in 2014 begins. Four cities – Stockholm, Hamburg, Vitoria-Gasteiz and Nantes – have been awarded the title so far, from 2010 to 2013 respectively. The European Green Capital Award recognizes and rewards cities that are at the forefront of environmentally-friendly urban living and which can act as role-models to inspire other cities. The annual award is intended to help European cities become more attractive and healthy places – “fit for life”.
Today all cities across Europe with more than 200,000 inhabitants can apply for the title of European Green Capital 2014. The award is open to EU Member States, Candidate Countries (Turkey, FYROM, Croatia, Montenegro and Iceland) and European Economic Area countries (Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein). In countries where there is no city with more than 200,000 inhabitants, the largest city is eligible to apply.
The three key aims of the award are to:
Entries will be assessed on the basis of 12 indicators: local contribution to global climate change, transport, green urban areas, noise, waste production and management, nature and biodiversity, air, water consumption, waste water treatment, eco-innovation and sustainable employment, environmental management of the local authority and energy performance.
Cities can apply via an online application form here. The deadline for applications for the 2014 title is 14 October 2011. The title is awarded by a Jury supported by a Panel of renowned experts in different environmental fields. The winner will be announced in June 2012.
