Heilbronn selected as finalist for the European Green Capital Award of 2026
The city of Heilbronn has entered the final round of selection for becoming European Green Capital in 2026.
On its first time ever applying for the European Green Capital (EGC) Award, the city of Heilbronn has been selected as one of the three finalist cities for 2026, alongside Guimarães (Portugal) and Klagenfurt on Lake Wörthersee (Austria).
This milestone was made possible through the joint efforts of a diverse and multidisciplinary team, involving the city’s administration, the scientific support of Fraunhofer IAO, and various local stakeholders. Our heartfelt congratulations and thanks are extended to all collaborators.
The prestigious EGC-title, issued yearly by the European Commission, recognises cities’ endeavour in sustainable growth and environmental protection, encouraging the implementation of the European Green Deal at a local level. The aim of the Award is to highlight best practices and potential solutions for impactful sustainable urban development, while creating a network of change-leading cities.
After having submitted extensive documentation about its performance according to seven environmental indicators (air quality; water; biodiversity, green areas & sustainable land use; waste & circular economy; noise; climate change adaptation and mitigation), the city of Heilbronn will now be assessed for an overall communication strategy and action plan as potential EGC, presented on the 24th of October in Valencia, this year’s winning city.
