Green Cities Europe Award 2025 – finalists announced

Projects from Belgium, France and Poland are competing for first, second and third place at Cities Europe Award 2025

The final ranking and the winner of this year's awards edition will be revealed on the 29th of January during an official ceremony at IPM Essen

Landscape

Read More: Green Cities Europe Award IPM ESSEN

18 December 2025

The international expert jury has recently selected three favourite projects from Belgium, France and Poland that are competing for first, second and third place at Cities Europe Award 2025.

The final ranking and the winner of this year’s awards edition will be revealed on the 29th of January during an official ceremony at IPM Essen.

As one of the world’s leading horticultural trade fairs, IPM Essen brings together professionals, decision-makers and innovators to exchange insights on plant production, horticultural technology and strategies for greener, more resilient cities.

Green Cities Europe Award honours exceptional urban greening initiatives across the continent and highlights pioneering projects that demonstrate the transformative power of green infrastructure.

This year marks the 6th edition of the award and it is organized by the European Nurserystock Association (ENA) and the Green Cities Europe campaign.

This year’s participating national projects included: Belgium (Zuidpark, Antwerp), Bulgaria (Gardens of the World, Municipality of Pazardzhik), France (Parc des Ateliers, Arles), Germany (Natural PikoParks, Berlin), Hungary (Dráva park, Budapest), Netherlands (Working Together / “Samen aan de Slag”, Leiden), Poland (“Burza” Action, Warsaw) and Sweden (Piet Oudolf Garden, Värnamo).

An independent jury representing all participating countries assessed the submissions based on several key criteria, including quality and quantity of greenery, design excellence, environmental and economic impact, innovative use of materials, and reproducibility of the concept.

When taken as a whole, the projects demonstrate a strong commitment to nature-inclusive design in Europe. From biodiverse park developments and renovated squares to neighbourhood changes that are climate-adaptive.

Last year Cities Europe Award winner was the inspiring “Les Jardins de Pré Gaudry” project in Lyon.

The Pré Gaudry gardens rehabilitation project is a highly innovative open-air laboratory for the reclamation of degraded soils in an urban environment. It is based on a co-construction approach and state-of-the-art soil engineering, with the aim of revitalising sterile soil by creating a living, fertile anthroposol, while limiting external inputs.

At a time of climate change and the need for our cities to be resilient, the Pré Gaudry gardens are a true open-air laboratory for the renaturation of urban wastelands into islands of freshness and biodiversity.

Read more: IPM Essen 2026 overview

Read More: Green Cities Europe Award IPM ESSEN