Babylon, Czechia |
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| The village of Babylon is indeed a unique place where untouched wild nature meets with a cultural landscape, creating a harmonious environment for both residents and visitors. Expansive forests, blooming meadows, and natural biotopes harmoniously interconnect with carefully maintained green spaces, historical landmarks, beautiful gardens, and elements of modern infrastructure. This balance between nature and humanity is a defining characteristic of the village and forms the foundation of its identity, offering many opportunities for recreation and cultural experiences. The natural and cultural heritage is cared for through projects focused on sustainability, protection of biodiversity, and supporting the local community. Green spaces and public areas serve not only as places for relaxation but also as an inspiration for residents and visitors. The participation in the Entente Florale Europe competition reflects a commitment to demonstrate how wild nature and cultural landscapes can be united into a harmonious whole piece that brings joy and benefits to both people and nature. |
Constigliole D’Asti, Italy |
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| The territory of Costigliole D'Asti follows urban planning and environmental policies to protect the environment and the landscape, thanks to the regulatory plan. The territory is subject to the UNESCO protection of the wine-growing landscapes of the Piedmont of Langhe Roero and Monferrato. The municipality has carried out environmental retrofitting work on public buildings through insulation and renewable energy sources with consequent CO2 reduction. Interventions have also been carried out on public lighting: installation of led lamps and reduction of the light flux levels. There are protected natural areas in the territory which are also in the progress of official recognition. The municipality's ecology service manages the collection and separation of waste and takes care of the cleaning of green areas, squares, sports facilities, etc. For years in Costigliole a tree has been planted for every born (l.113/92). There are various exhibitions and art markets during the year and the castle can be visited. Conferences are also held. Several volunteer associations act in the municipal territory. |
Huglfing, Germany |
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| Nestled in a small valley, surrounded by pastures, forests and protected moors, Huglfing is a picturesque Bavarian village where tradition and innovation coexist harmoniously. The Hungerbach stream flows gracefully through the village, which is adorned with carefully restored houses built from local tuff stone. At the heart of the village lies the Roman-style church and old graveyard next to the scenic village green. The nearby newly renovated town hall, together with other beautifully restored buildings, offer versatile public spaces, which host activities like local festivals, art displays and club gatherings. Huglfing excels in sustainable practices, with green energy projects or its innovative regulation protecting old trees. The village thrives with small and medium-sized businesses, fostering a dynamic local economy. The active participation of local enterprises and young and old residents alike enriches every initiative, illustrated by the new adventure playground, making Huglfing a model of citizen commitment and cultural pride. |
Maynooth, Ireland |
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| Maynooth, situated in north County Kildare, is a vibrant university town with a population of 18,000. It is well-connected with easy access to Dublin and other regions via rail and road networks. The town is renowned for its educational heritage, hosting two significant institutions, Maynooth University and St. Patrick’s College. These share a picturesque campus, contributing to Maynooth’s dynamic atmosphere alongside the town’s rich history which is evident in its architecture, landmarks, and open public spaces. Maynooth also offers a range of community and amenity facilities and natural attractions including the Royal Canal and Greenway. The town boasts strong community engagement through its clubs, sports teams, local organisations, and its hosting of cultural/heritage events. Maynooth seamlessly blends historical charm with modern amenities, underpinned by its academic institutions and active community life. Whether exploring its historical sites, enjoying the university atmosphere, or relaxing in nature, Maynooth offers something special for everyone. |
Nantes, France |
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| In Nantes, nature is everywhere: in large parks, in small gardens, in green spaces, along waterways... This is no coincidence: in Nantes nature is an institution. It is part of its history, its present and its future. The city of Nantes puts plants in the spotlight wherever it can, in its large parks of course, but also generally in all green spaces. Within its territory, all Nantes residents are invited to garden and biodiversity is preserved. Since 1980, Nantes has been one of the rare French municipalities to be distinguished by the “Villes et Villages Fleuris” label. This prestigious label, symbolized by the “4 Flowers”, rewards the initiatives of local authorities which work to improve the quality of life of residents, while respecting the environment. After receiving the supreme title of “Fleur d’Or” in 2021, Nantes once again won over the jury in 2024, with national prizes for trees and educational and civic actions. The City of Nantes strives to maintain the balance between natural spaces and urbanized spaces. With nearly 130 parks, squares and gardens, Nantes has become a true “city in a garden”. |
Nice, France |
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| Nice, France's fifth-largest city with a population of 353,700, benefits from a mild climate that enables the adaptation of subtropical plants from all over the world, with a landscape reinvented in the 19th century, leading to its recognition by UNESCO in 2021 as a "Riviera Winter Resort City". Since 2008, the municipality has launched an ambitious greening policy, with the creation of more than 70 hectares of green spaces, including the Promenade du Paillon, the green lines replacing bus routes with tramways, and the Grand Parc in the Plaine du Var... Nice is already the city with over 200,000 inhabitants with the highest proportion of trees in urban areas, with 33% and 53 m2 per inhabitant (Kermap study). An additional 280,000 trees will be planted by 2026, to reach the ratio of one tree per inhabitant. |
Nyíregyháza, Hungary |
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| Nyíregyháza is a vibrant and youthful city located in northeastern Hungary, serving as the seat of Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County. With a population of nearly 116,000, it is the seventh-largest city in the country. It acts as an economic and cultural hub of the region and it is also an attractive tourist destination for both domestic and international visitors. The city’s main attraction is Sóstógyógyfürdő, a resort area renowned for its thermal waters, located just 6 kilometres from the city centre and surrounded by a 320-hectare oak forest. This area is home to Nyíregyháza’s most significant tourist landmarks: the internationally acclaimed Nyíregyháza Zoo, the five-star-rated Aquarius Spa and the country’s largest regional open-air ethnographic museum. Nyíregyháza is a shining example in Hungary of dynamic tourism growth, with guest numbers at tourist accommodations tripling since 2010. The city is characterized by meticulously designed and well-maintained parks and green spaces, which are not only modern but also provide a delightful experience. The green spaces in the Sóstó area and the city centre cater to the needs of both tourists and local residents. |
Satu Mare, Romania |
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| Located in the northwest of Transylvania, Romania, Satu Mare is home to 110,000 citizens and is beautifully intertwined with the Someș River. The city is a leader in sustainable urban development, supported by several European Union-funded projects that enhance green infrastructure, including bike paths, pedestrian bridge and walkable zones, and the expansion of green spaces. Over the past three years, Satu Mare has prioritized planting flowers, grass and improving biodiversity, creating vibrant seasonal and permanent landscapes. Environmental education programs actively engage the community, fostering a culture of sustainability. Satu Mare’s lively calendar of over 300 annual events celebrates its cultural and natural richness, enhancing its appeal as a tourism and leisure destination. With its innovative projects and community efforts, Satu Mare can serve as an inspiring example of how to develop green spaces that improve urban quality of life and environmental sustainability. |
Terryglass, Ireland |
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| Terryglass (Tír Dhá Ghlas) is a historic lakeside village situated on the shores of Lough Derg on the River Shannon. Dating back to the 6th Century, it is part of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands. The village has impressive public and private harbours and a slipway which make Terryglass a popular destination with the boating fraternity, tourists, and locals. Improvements to the harbour, the provision of changing facilities, picnic & barbeque areas and village enhancement works have significantly added to its attractiveness. The village also accommodates several holiday rental properties. Terryglass has been overall winner of the national Tidy Towns competition on two occasions and has also been recognised as Ireland’s ‘Best Kept Village’ and secured victory in the All-Ireland ‘Pride of Place’ Competition. The village has a school, church and graveyard, shop, two public houses with restaurants, community hall and playground. Public and private marina facilities are available. |
Varsany, Hungary |
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| The Municipality of Varsány pays special attention to the landscaping and floral decoration of the village. The aim is to create a liveable environment for the people living there. Every year, the municipality participates in a number of environmental programmes. These include litter picking, the promotion of selective waste collection and tree planting. It is considered very important to educate children to be environmentally aware and to encourage them to be aware of the protection of the environment. To this end, we organise lectures and activities on environmental protection, nature conservation and waste management in connection with special days. In the kindergarten, trees are planted, insect hotels are made and put up in connection with Earth Day. The school participates in the school garden programme, which aims to increase the utilisation of green spaces. The municipality tries to minimise the environmental impact of its activities. The energy efficiency of all facilities has been improved, including the installation of solar panels, and the use recyclable packaging in the processing plant. There are plans to landscape the area around the stream that runs through the village, install information boards and create a barefoot path. |
Zedtwitz, Germany |
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| Zedtwitz is a village in upper Franconia, Bavaria, Germany, located 6 km from Hof. It is part of the municipality of Feilitzsch. Zedtwitz has about 900 inhabitants. The village features an old castle, manor house, church, and a small river encircling "the island" in the center of Zedtwitz. A new village shop, "ZEDTkauf," provides local supplies and includes a Café. Zedtwitz prioritizes green spaces, with a prize-winning playground, a public sports field, and a football club, all located directly around the “green lung” of Zedtwitz. The village is energy self-sufficient in terms of electricity, using wind turbines, rooftop solar panels, and a biogas plant. Leisure activities are well-supported, with sports facilities, a community center, and various festivals organized by local clubs. The local clubs are what make Zedtwitz what it is. The cooperation between the clubs is outstanding. All generations come together in the various clubs to pursue a common goal - the sustainable preservation of the village, traditions and way of life for future generations. |
