Mechelen is the only Belgian town named in the European Green Leaf Award (EGLA), a prize of 75,000 euros awarded by the European Commission to a municipality of fewer than 100,000 inhabitants for its efforts with regard to sustainability and quality of life.
Mechelen is in the running for this award alongside Lappeenranta (Finland) and Limerick (Ireland).
The towns are assessed on the way in which they handle six challenges in connection with the viability and sustainability: climate change and energy costs, sustainable urban mobility, nature, biodiversity and sustainable use of the earth, air quality and noise, waste and recycling and, finally, water.
Mechelen will be going to defend its nomination on next June 19 in Oslo, Norway. The winner's name will be announced by the European Commission the following day, June 20.
The town of Leuven was co-winner of the prize in 2018 with the Swedish city of Växjöof.
The Brussels Times
