Kosice entered the final five of the competition «European Green Capital 2028». The city will compete for the title with Aalborg (Denmark), Bielsko-Biała (Poland), Porto (Portugal), and Zaragoza (Spain). The winner, who will receive 600,000 € for environmental initiatives, will be announced on October 8, 2026 in Guimarães, Portugal, and the finalists will present their strategies to the jury on October 7–8.
For those living in Kosice, this nomination (živnosť - trade license) has very practical benefits. The city became the first in Slovakia to receive the European Mission Label within the initiative «100 climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030». It opens access to additional funding from public and private investors, meaning more money for parks, transport, and heating, which we all pay for.
What has already been done
Experts evaluated cities based on seven indicators: air quality, water management, biodiversity, waste, noise, and climate change adaptation. Over the last five years, more than 30 “green” projects worth tens of millions of euros have been implemented in Kosice, with another 40 in preparation. More than 130,000 m² of public spaces have been restored, including parks and inner courtyards on Braniskova, Kuzmányho, Jasuschova, Lomonosovova streets, and Lidické námestie, writes SITA.
Another large-scale project is geothermal energy from sources in neighboring villages Ďurkov, Bidovce, Svinica, and Olšovany. It has been developed for almost 30 years, aiming to provide the city with renewable heating.
“A green city is not a trendy slogan. It is a matter of quality of life, health, shade, water, and the city’s ability to prepare for climate change,” commented Kosice’s mayor Jaroslav Polaček on reaching the final.
What will happen this weekend
On August 1 and August 2, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, the city invites everyone to a festive parade on Hlavná in the center of Kosice — where they will explain what this nomination means for the city. If you were looking for something to do this weekend, check out our event selection.
The only catch is the weather. The Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMÚ) forecasts tropical heat up to 37 °C in the east of the country. The city advises to follow SHMÚ warnings, drink more water, and spend less time in the sun, especially for elderly people, children, and pregnant women. In the heat, water mist sprayers operate in the center, and you can find shelter in parks, city forests, or near fountains.
More details about the competition and selection criteria are on the European Commission website.
