The European Commission is launching a new annual European Green Capital Award, to be given each year to a city that is leading the way with environmentally friendly urban living. The launch event will be held at 1800 on 22 May 2008 at the Committee of the Regions in Brussels, where Commissioner Dimas will sign a Declaration establishing the award scheme together with Paddy Bourke, the Lord Mayor of Dublin and President of the Union of Capital Cities of the European Union.

The European Green Capital Award is the result of an initiative taken by 15 European cities (Tallinn, Helsinki, Riga, Vilnius, Berlin, Warsaw, Madrid, Ljubljana, Prague, Vienna, Kiel, Kotka, Dartford, Tartu & Glasgow) and the Association of Estonian cities on 15 May 2006 in Tallinn, Estonia. Their green vision was translated into a joint Memorandum of Understanding establishing an award to reward cities that are leading the way with environmentally friendly urban living. Currently, more than 40 major European cities, including 21 EU capitals support the initiative.

The objectives of the European Green Capital Award are to:

1. Reward cities that have a consistent record of achieving high environmental standards.
2. Encourage cities to commit to ongoing and ambitious goals for further environmental improvement and sustainable development.
3. Provide a role model to inspire other cities and promote best practices and experiences in all other European cities.

The award is intended to help European cities become more attractive and healthy places – "fit for life". The launch of the award also coincides with World Biodiversity Day.

Cities may apply via an online application form to be selected as and gather other on information on the European Green Capital for 2010 and 2011.