The European Commission has announced the three cities shortlisted for the European Green Capital 2018 award.

‘s-Hertogenbosch and Nijmegen from the Netherlands, and Umeå in Sweden will advance to the final stage of the competition.

The European Green Capital Award is given each year to a European city with an established record of high environmental standards, which is committed to future sustainable development.

The Commission also released the names of the finalist cities of the European Green Leaf Award 2017, which recognises towns and cities that demonstrate a strong environmental record, with a particular emphasis on efforts that engage citizens’ in environmental awareness, generate green growth and new jobs.

Cornellà de Llobregat (Spain), Galway (Ireland), and Mikkeli (Finland) have reached the next stage, and will join the European Green Capital 2018 finalists in presenting their future vision to the Jury.

The shortlisted cities will need to highlight their innovations and activities for citizens, and show how they would act as a role model and promote best practices in other European cities. The winners will be announced on 22 June 2016 in Ljubljana.