Two German municipalities among the group of finalists for the international European Mobility Week awards

Mönchengladbach in the "larger municipalities" category; Lilienthal in the "smaller municipalities" category

Auf einem Parkplatz steht ein großes Gefährt quer und Menschen sind aus der Vogelperspektive zu sehen, die im Freien an ihren Laptops arbeiten. — **The Raumwunder co-working space in Mönchengladbach highlights the potential of parking space**
Source: Norbert Krause/ krauses Projektdesign

Every year, municipalities around the world promote sustainable mobility locally during European Mobility Week (EMW) on 16-22 September. Through different actions and a range of programmes, they show how sustainable mobility can work at the local level. The EU Commission will award prizes within the framework of EMW in two categories to the municipalities with the most innovative and ambitious programmes. An international jury draws up a shortlist of finalists. Two German cities are among the finalists this year.

Nominees in the "larger municipalities" category (more than 100,000 inhabitants) are:

Granada (Spain),
Mönchengladbach (Germany) and
Sofia (Bulgaria).

The jury praised the German finalist for its comprehensive programme addressing people of all ages. Mönchengladbach succeeded in engaging its citizens in the many activities which also allow them to take an active part in designing a car-free day.

Nominees in the "smaller municipalities" category (less than 100,000 inhabitants) are:

Bruck an der Leitha (Austria),
Lilienthal (Germany) and
Nea Moudania (Greece).

The Jury was impressed by Lilienthal's rich programme of events and activities, In particular, its car-free school day, which was organised together with the City of Bremen. 55 schools and more than 60,000 students participated.

Dirk Messner, President of the German Environment Agency (⁠ UBA ⁠) said, "I am very pleased that two German municipalities are among the finalists for the European Mobility Week Award. They are examples of how creative and innovative cities and municipalities are in implementing sustainable mobility on the ground. These two nominations should be an incentive for even more municipalities in Germany to participate in European Mobility Week this year. We need more such real-world laboratories to achieve a transport transition."

Despite the difficult circumstances in 2020, there were 97 municipalities in Germany which participated in EMW. In cooperation with their citizens, they developed diverse action programmes which were successfully implemented even under stricter conditions. Focus themes of 2020 EMW were accessibility and equity in mobility.

Further information

The EMW is a European campaign providing town and cities throughout Europe with an opportunity for their citizens to raise greater awareness of sustainable mobility. From 16-22 September and thereafter, measures are established which aim to make local transport more sustainable for the climate and environment. Campaigns are held simultaneously in more than 2,500 cities and municipalities across Europe. The German Environment Agency has been coordinating the EMW in Germany since 2016. A first-ever nationwide EMW competition is scheduled for 2021, which will be organised by UBA and the Federal Environment Ministry.

Two German municipalities among the group of finalists for the international European Mobility Week awards | Umweltbundesamt