On 9 September, the European Green Capital and ICLEI Member Lahti (Finland) will host the European Green Capital and Green Leaf Awards.

The European Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius, the Prime Minister of Finland Ms. Sanna Marin as well as representatives from the finalist cities will be present to discover and celebrate the EU Green Capital 2023 and EU Green Leaf 2022.

The European Green Capital and Green Leaf awards aim to inspire cities to engage in best practices, and become role models for one another. “Today more than two thirds of Europeans live in towns and cities. Urban areas concentrate most of the environmental challenges facing our society but also bring together commitment and innovation to resolve them. The European Green Capital Award has been conceived to promote and reward these efforts,” says Sinkevičius.

The winner of the European Green Capital 2023 title will receive a financial prize of €600,000 and the winner(s) of the European Green Leaf 2022 title €200,000 (max. 2 winners). The financial prizes are intended to be used as a contribution towards implementing the initiatives and measures to enhance the cities’ environmental sustainability as part of the laureate year, as set out in the city's sustainability vision presented at the jury meeting.

Don’t miss this year’s Ceremony! Tune in online (18:30 Lahti (UTC+2) / 17:30 Brussels (UTC+1)).