Debrecen has been shortlisted as one of the top three cities in the running for the prestigious 2027 European Green Capital title, alongside Heilbronn in Germany and Klagenfurt in Austria, according to an announcement by the European Commission on Friday.
The award, which is open to cities with over 100,000 inhabitants, recognizes excellence in urban sustainability and environmental innovation. In its statement, the Commission praised Debrecen for leading in sustainability and achieving the highest score among the finalists. ‘The Hungarian city stands out in biodiversity, green space expansion, sustainable land use, and circular economy efforts,’ the Commission noted.
Debrecen has improved its urban environment by increasing its green areas by 16 per cent and planting thousands of new trees to enhance the city’s microclimate.
Cities were evaluated on how effectively they are addressing key environmental challenges related to climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. According to the Commission, the three finalists have shown exemplary commitment to creating healthier, more sustainable urban environments.
The winner will be announced during a formal award ceremony in Vilnius, Lithuania, on 2 October. The city selected as the 2027 European Green Capital will receive a 600,000 euro prize to support its environmental initiatives.
Debrecen’s green transformation began in 2019 when the city introduced a new environmental policy focused on sustainability. Since then, a number of initiatives have been launched, including the creation of a local green task force composed of young professionals and the launch of the ‘Future of Debrecen’ movement.
More than 10,000 trees have already been planted, with another 10,000 on the way. The city has also implemented the Civaqua programme to bring Tisza River water into Debrecen, introduced electric buses, and established the ‘Green Watchdog’ environmental monitoring system.
In cooperation with the University of Debrecen, the city developed the ‘Green Codex’, a comprehensive sustainability framework that integrates Debrecen’s key strategies and outlines 50 specific environmental measures.
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