International Sustainability Congress 2022: Municipalities Growing Greener

On the 9th of September 2021, Winterswijk was the smallest municipality ever to win the European Green Leaf Award 2022. The European Commission established this award in 2008 for smaller municipalities and cities (20.000 to 100.000 inhabitants), which distinguish themselves in terms of the environment and climate.

The jury was impressed to see the city of Winterswijk being presented by its inhabitants in person, who are at the core of the city’s sustainability strategy. Their presentation convinced the jury that Winterswijk is genuinely committed to making green transition happen on the ground. This small city in the Netherlands, with 30,000 inhabitants, punched above its weight presenting advanced initiatives to drive the ecological transition. Among them, the “energy tables”, joint meetings with local stakeholders from business to private that help steer the local energy transition, or a revolving fund for citizens to increase the energy efficiency of their homes. The city does not shy away from big neighbours abroad in order to achieve greener energy supplies and gives impetus to recycled materials in the building sector.

In the year 2022, there are a lot of activities to raise awareness about sustainability and to make Winterswijk an even greener municipality.  During the international congress we would like to show you our sustainable examples.