Debrecen Named Finalist for 2027 European Green Capital Award

Photo credit: European Commission

Debrecen, represented in the TiCCA4DANU project by EDC Debrecen and Hajdú-Bihar County Government – as a city-region – has been shortlisted as one of the top three finalists for the prestigious 2027 European Green Capital Award, alongside Heilbronn (Germany) and Klagenfurt (Austria). This recognition highlights the city’s leadership in sustainable urban development, from biodiversity and green spaces to circular economy practices.

Why It Matters

The European Green Capital Award, granted by the European Commission, honors cities with outstanding performance, ambition, and governance across seven key areas — including air quality, water management, climate adaptation, and biodiversity.

Debrecen’s place among the finalists puts the city at the forefront of urban sustainability in Europe.

What Made Debrecen Stand Out

According to the Commission, Debrecen earned the highest score among all finalists. Highlights of its achievements include:

• A 16% increase in green spaces and the planting of thousands of new trees to improve the urban microclimate.
• Innovative approaches to biodiversity, green area expansion, sustainable land use, and circular economy practices.

These efforts reflect a strong commitment to integrating innovation with sustainability goals.

What It Means for TiCCA4DANU

Debrecen’s finalist status for the 2027 European Green Capital Award is not only a recognition of the city’s achievements but also a strong signal for TiCCA4DANU:

• Evidence of progress: The city’s efforts in biodiversity, green space expansion, and circular economy show what ambitious, place-based action can achieve.
• European visibility: As a TiCCA4DANU pilot city-region, Debrecen’s recognition raises the project’s profile across the Danube Region and Europe, highlighting the potential of our approach.

This success confirms that urban adaptation can also drive innovation, visibility, and opportunity.

Looking Ahead

The winner of the 2027 European Green Capital Award will be announced during a ceremony in Vilnius on 2 October 2025. The selected city will receive €600,000 to advance its sustainability initiatives.

Congratulations to Debrecen and our partners EDC Debrecen and Hajdú-Bihar County Government on this remarkable achievement — a milestone that signals a bold step forward for sustainable innovation in the Danube Region. We hope that there will be more to celebrate in October!

Read the official European Commission announcement here.