Viladecans, Spain’s European Green Leaf Award winner for 2025, culminates its prestigious year with high-profile closing events showcasing transformative sustainability efforts. The small city near Barcelona, selected alongside Italy’s Treviso in October 2023, received a €200,000 grant to advance its green agenda, focusing on renewable energy, energy efficiency, and community-driven ecological transitions.
The jury praised Viladecans’ “culture of positivity and enthusiasm” in inspiring behavioral change, with residents and stakeholders deeply involved in decision-making. These events cap a year of over 30 climate projects, from plastic-free initiatives to carbon neutrality goals by 2030.
Award Win and Financial Boost
Announced in Tallinn—2024’s European Green Capital—Viladecans and Treviso earned the Green Leaf title for cities under 100,000 residents. Each secured €200,000 prizes, contrasting Vilnius’ €600,000 as 2025 Green Capital.
Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius hailed the winners: “Bravo to Vilnius, Viladecans and Treviso! … Climate change will exacerbate extreme weather… The answer… greener cities – cities with lower pollution, which care more for citizens’ well-being.”
Viladecans’ selection spotlighted its strides in renewables and efficiency, alongside dual goals: ecological shift and healthy lifestyles. The jury noted its hopeful approach inspires residents and peers.
Key Achievements and Projects
Viladecans launched over 30 climate initiatives since 2019, declaring itself plastic-free and adopting biological pest controls to cut emissions. Core focuses include solar energy expansion, urban greening, and water efficiency, targeting carbon neutrality by 2030 and climate-negative status by 2050.
Community involvement shone: Residents at all levels shaped decisions, fostering positivity amid challenges. The jury lauded this as a model for green transitions, blending sustainability with well-being.
As Green Leaf holder, Viladecans paralleled efforts like Treviso’s tree-doubling and gamification for youth, but stood out for stakeholder participation and renewable gains.
Closing Events Spotlight Green Legacy
The December 22 events mark the year’s end, celebrating milestones with public showcases. Expect highlights on emission reductions via renovated infrastructure, increased renewables, and biodiversity boosts—mirroring Vilnius’ climate-neutral 2030 ambitions.
Viladecans’ positive ethos, per the jury, “brings hope and inspires” action, positioning it as a beacon for smaller cities. Ties with Águeda (2026 Green Leaf) underscore ongoing networks, strengthened during Viladecans’ Festa Major 2025.
Jury Praise for Innovative Engagement
The expert panel commended Viladecans’ behavioral nudges through enthusiasm, contrasting Treviso’s storytelling and intergenerational tactics. Both impressed with community green involvement, but Viladecans excelled in participatory renewables and efficiency.
For Vilnius, the jury favored its “down-to-earth” vision: “Vilnius – the greenest city in the making,” tech apps for engagement, and emission cuts via heating upgrades. All finalists inspired, fostering EU-wide motivation.
Broader European Green Cities Impact
The awards, part of EU Green Cities, promote urban sustainability amid droughts and floods. Winners join luminaries like Tallinn, advancing pollution cuts and resident happiness.
Viladecans’ €200,000 fuels parallel goals: transition and health. Its 30+ projects exemplify scalable action for small cities, emphasizing solar, greenery, and efficiency.
Community and Stakeholder Roles
Viladecans integrated citizens across levels, from planning to execution, creating ownership. This “unique approach,” per EU Mayors, drives the green shift, offering replicable positivity.
The jury saw it encouraging others: Sustainability via hope, not mandates, yields tangible renewables progress.
Future Goals and Legacy
Post-2025, Viladecans eyes 2030 neutrality, leveraging prize funds for solar/water advances. Closing events cement its inspirational role, linking to 2026 peers like Águeda.
As Treviso doubles trees via gamification, Viladecans’ model—positivity plus participation—positions it for climate-negative 2050, inspiring EU small-city greens.
EU’s Green Vision Reinforced
Sinkevičius tied awards to resilience: Greener cities combat extremes, prioritizing air, water, biodiversity. Viladecans embodies this, blending ecology with lifestyle.
With Vilnius’ €600,000 tech-citizen fusion, Green Leaf duo proves small-scale impact. Events close a banner year, propelling Viladecans’ hopeful path forward.
