President Mattarella welcomes Treviso: a model city for a greener Europe

On 24 January, the city’s mayor, Mario Conte, was received by Italian President Sergio Mattarella at the Quirinale to mark this important milestone, further solidifying Treviso’s reputation as a leader in environmental innovation.

Securing the European Green Leaf title for 2025 has strengthened Treviso’s dedication to integrating sustainability into everyday life. President Mattarella praised the city, describing it as a “model” for its innovative environmental policies and its commitment to fostering community-driven progress.

"Discussing the recognition earned by our community with the President of the Republic was an honour and a great satisfaction. I wanted to share with President Mattarella — whom I thank for defining our city as a 'model' and for highlighting the excellence of our territory — the key points of our dossier and the commitment of the administration, the local network and the citizens in pursuing virtuous policies. Feeling his support for this effort, which also represents a cultural shift, servesas an additional incentive to transform Treviso and our territories into increasingly green and sustainable cities and towns," said Mayor Conte.

Treviso’s green vision

Treviso highlighted many forward-thinking initiatives as part of its European Green Leaf application. These include urban rewilding projects, the expansion of green spaces and environmental education programmes that actively involve children and young people. The city’s focus on sustainable living has united the local administration, community groups and residents to achieve long-lasting change.

During his meeting with President Mattarella, Mayor Conte outlined the key pillars of Treviso’s green strategy, from investments in circular economy practices to the creation of eco-friendly public spaces. As a gesture of appreciation, Conte gifted the President the commemorative European Green Leaf plaque

A collective effort

Treviso’s success is deeply rooted in collaboration. The joint efforts of local associations, schools and citizens have transformed the city into a European sustainability leader. The European Commission will work with Treviso and its fellow Green Leaf winner for the year, Viladecans in Spain, throughout 2025. These awards serve as a great example of motivating our frontrunning cities to collaborate even more and engage with their citizens.

“This award belongs to every resident who has embraced our vision for a greener future,” said Mayor Conte. “It’s not just about recognition – it’s about creating a future where sustainability is an integral part of our identity.”

With the European Green Leaf 2025 recognition, Treviso aims to inspire other cities by demonstrating how innovative policies and grassroots engagement can contribute to a greener, more sustainable Europe.

Read more and applications for the 2027 awards

Discover more about Treviso, the 2025 European Green Leaf Award (EGLA) winner: explore the city’s application, the EGLA Technical Assessment Report for the 2025 Award Cycle and the Jury Report for the 2025 Award Cycle. 

Could your city be the next European Green Capital or Leaf? Applications for 2027 are now open! Discover how your city can showcase its environmental leadership.