The European Commission has launched the competition for the highly prestigious 2025 European Green Capital (EGCA 2025) and the 2025 European Green Leaf (EGLA 2025) Awards. European cities and towns committed to sustainability are encouraged to apply by the 30 April deadline for this excellent opportunity. ICLEI Members in particular have a long history of winning these prestigious titles, having won 80 percent of European Green Capital awards to date.

These awards promote and reward efforts of European towns and cities striving to improve the quality of life for their citizens, while reducing their impact on the local and global environment. The European Green Capital Award is open to cities with over 100,000 inhabitants, while the European Green Leaf Award is open to all towns and cities with 20,000 to 99,999 inhabitants.

The winner of the Green Capital Award will receive €600,000 and up to two cities will receive €200,000 each as Green Leaf winners. The financial prize contributes to supporting the winning cities in implementing initiatives and measures to enhance their environmental performance and reach out to citizens, especially during their winning year. Winning cities will also benefit from increased international profile, networking and new alliances, a sense of local pride, and the opportunity to become a part of a network of previous finalists and winners.

Learn how to apply for the European Green Capital 2025 here, and learn about how to be named the next European Green Leaf winner here. Applications are due by 30 April 2023 at 23:59 CEST (GMT+2).