European Green Capital Award Launched

The European Green Capital Award is the result of the initiative taken by the cities interested to share the best practice in developing the urban environment in Europe. The concept was originally conceived at a meeting in Tallinn, Estonia, on 15 May 2006. In the City Hall 15 European cities and the Association of Estonian Cities signed a joint Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of an Award. More than 40 cities, including 21 EU capitals, and UBC have supported it.

At the meeting in June 2006 the former Mayor of Tallinn, current Vice-President of the Estonian Parliament Jüri Ratas and European Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas expressed support for the initiative and indicated that DG Environment would actively contribute to the development of the award scheme.

EGC award was officially launched on 22 May 2008. Any European city with a population of more than 200,000 could have applied. Jury will select the winning cities later this year. The award is intended to help the European cities to become more attractive and healthy - "fit for life". Commissioner Stavros Dimas said: "I hope that this award will act as a powerful incentive for local governments and authorities to improve living conditions for Europe's city-dwellers. Many cities are already committed to improving protection of their environment. I am confident that this award will encourage many more to follow suit."

The award will be given each year to a city that has a consistent record of achieving high environmental standards, is permanently committed to ambitious action, further environmental improvement and sustainable development, and can act as a role model to inspire and promote best practices in all other European cities.