Águeda and Guimarães launch European Green Leaf 2026 and European Green Capital 2026

The awards: European Green Leaf Award and European Green Capital

The European Green Leaf Award is aimed at EU towns and cities with populations between 20,000 and 99,999. The European Green Capital title, by contrast, is reserved for cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants. To enter, municipalities must comply with the Rules of Contest and demonstrate that they excel in environmental, social and economic sustainability. The award follows a rigorous selection process: applicant cities are required to supply evidence of both the measures they have already delivered and the plans they have prepared to further strengthen sustainability.

Opening ceremonies for the 2026 title year

In early January, both title-holders staged Opening Ceremonies to set an ambitious tone for their year.

Águeda began its European Green Leaf 2026 year at the Águeda arts centre. The launch brought together representatives from local, regional, national and European levels to recognise Águeda’s sustainability record and its community-led environmental action.

Guimarães, the European Green Capital 2026, held its own Opening Ceremony. EU leaders, ministers, mayors and residents came together to underline the essential role cities play in Europe’s green transition.

Recognising cities that are actively improving the urban environment and supporting healthier, more sustainable lifestyles matters. Although progress is valuable in itself, winning a respected European award can encourage cities to be even more ambitious while also raising awareness locally and further afield. These titles also provide a platform for cities to inspire each other and share practical examples of solutions that work in real life.

Águeda: Cultural creativity meets sustainability

Águeda is a city in northern Portugal, in the Aveiro district. It offers contemporary cultural and sporting activities alongside good accessibility. In 2023, in the category for cities with 20,000 to 75,000 inhabitants, it received the LivCam Awards recognition as the best municipality in the world to live in. In recent years, tourism has increased, driven in large part by cultural programming-particularly Agit’águeda, an urban art and music festival known for thousands of colourful umbrellas suspended across the city.

European Green Leaf 2026 is a distinction that highlights cities that set an example through the way they design and deliver sustainable policies and measures.

Why the European Green Leaf Award 2026 jury chose Águeda

For the European Green Leaf Award 2026, the jury praised Águeda’s all-round sustainability approach, placing particular emphasis on how the city uses culture to propel its green transition. Working to the principle of “think global, act local,” Águeda prioritises strong community participation. Residents, companies and local organisations are invited to consider the environmental impact of everyday actions, reinforcing a shared sense of responsibility and collective commitment to making the city greener.

Guimarães: A historic city leading the way

Guimarães holds a pivotal place in Portugal’s history, as major events connected to the country’s independence in the 12th century unfolded there. In the present day, it has developed into a recognised hub for culture and environmental leadership, combining its historical heritage with a contemporary focus on sustainability.

The city has previously received a wide range of honours: UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2001 for its well-preserved historic centre, European Capital of Culture in 2012, European City of Sport in 2013, and recognition as Portugal’s most sustainable city for three years running.

Programmes and initiatives: PEGADAS, PAYT and RRRCICLO

Introduced in 2015, Guimarães’ environmental education programme, PEGADAS, has concentrated on building awareness and motivating residents to adopt more sustainable everyday habits.

In parallel, the city established an ecological footprint initiative that informs its long-term ambition to become a “One-Planet” city. As a member of Zero Waste Europe, Guimarães has led nationally with steps including the PAYT (Pay-As-You-Throw) system and the RRRCICLO project, which promotes circular economy principles through community-based communication and engagement.

Guimarães contested the European Green Capital 2026 title against Heilbronn (Germany) and Klagenfurt (Austria). After being among the three finalist cities last year, it has now secured the win. It is the second Portuguese city to earn the title, following Lisbon (2020).

During the European Green Capital 2026 selection process, the assessment panel-made up of seven independent experts-commended Guimarães for strong results across seven environmental areas. These covered air quality, noise management, water, biodiversity and land use, waste and the circular economy, plus climate change mitigation and adaptation, reflecting the city’s sustained dedication to environmental sustainability.

Learning from residents

Ultimately, beyond strategies and accolades, meaningful change is driven by the people who live in these places.

For anyone curious about what day-to-day life is like in a European Green Capital city, environment.ec.europa.eu features interviews with residents. People are the engines of change and innovative solutions, and their stories offer powerful inspiration for a green transition.

Águeda and Guimarães offer strong examples of how culture, community and forward-looking policies can help shape a greener, more sustainable future for cities across Europe.