Valencia has officially commenced its tenure as the European Green Capital for 2024, marking the beginning of a year-long celebration and commitment to sustainability. The opening ceremony, held on January 11th, featured a series of lectures and conferences, attended by notable figures including MarÃa José Catalá, the mayor of València.
During the opening ceremony at the Palau de la Música, Bernabé Aldeguer Cerdá, professor of Political Science at the University of Valencia, participated and emphasized that citizen participation and the establishment of alliances are crucial to achieve sustainability objectives.
The recognition of European Green City is not only a testament to past achievements but also a commitment to future actions. Over the past two decades, and especially in the last ten years, there has been a proliferation of participatory experiences, good practices, and successful models. These include consultations, digital tools, higher levels of transparency, advisory councils for citizen participation and the training of specialists and professionals. Despite these advancements some challenges persist, but need to be viewed as opportunities for further improvement.
The European Green Capital Award, bestowed by the European Commission, is more than a symbolic recognition. It represents a positive evaluation of a city’s management trajectory and sets a future action agenda with specific milestones. Valencia’s ambitious sustainability strategy, driven by a strong civic movement, earned it the Green Capital title for this year. The city’s motto, “On a Mission Together,” underscores the collaborative efforts between city authorities and residents to achieve a greener, more sustainable future.
Written by: Sara Tortajada, University of València.
