The European Commission has launched the process to to find the city that will inherit the European Green Capital title in 2014. EU Environment Commissioner, Janez Potočnik stated that this award is a powerful incentive to help convince local authorities that sustainable urban development is the key to a successful future.

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. Furthermore, the annual award is intended to help European cities become more attractive and healthy places. From 2010 to 2013, four cities have been awarded: Stockholm, Hamburg, Vitoria-Gasteiz and Nantes.

Applications submitted will be evaluated under the following criteria: 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 online until 14 October 2011. The winner will be announced in June 2012.

All cities across Europe with more than 200,000 inhabitants can take place at the contest. 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).