The four-member expert jury of the Entente Florale Europe competition, which awards the most beautifully maintained European cities, expressed great enthusiasm for the city’s cleanliness, tourism offer, and our green initiatives. The main goal of the competition is the sustainable development of European cities and improving the quality of life for citizens. The jury evaluated different locations around the city based on ten criteria: planning and development, sustainable environment – climate change mitigation, built environment, landscape, green spaces, planting, environmental education, effort and involvement, tourism and/or leisure, and communication. The final results will be announced on September 7th at the official closing ceremony of Entente Florale Europe in Hungary.
The members of the jury were welcomed by the Mayor of the Municipality of Velenje, Mr. Peter Dermol, together with members of the municipal administration and local experts who presented various thematic areas. The meeting was also attended by Mr. Matevž Frangež, State Secretary at the Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport of the Republic of Slovenia, who expressed strong support for the Entente Florale Europe initiative and the efforts of the Municipality of Velenje.
Mayor Peter Dermol stated:
“It is a great honor and pride to host the expert jury of the prestigious Entente Florale Europe competition here in Velenje. Everything we heard today confirms that we are on the right path of development. We are aware that many challenges still lie ahead, but I believe we will succeed in continuing to build a green and pleasant environment — not only for our residents, but for everyone.”
After a quarter of a century, the Entente Florale Europe jury visited our city once again and noted many positive changes. The expert jury members — Dr. Rüdiger Kirsten (Germany), Milena Andrade (Czech Republic), William Kearney (Ireland), and Szilvia Halász Spanyárné (Hungary) — were especially impressed by the development of tourism, the diversity of tourism products, cooperation with different social groups and neighboring towns, and the city’s outstanding commitment to a more sustainable and nature-friendly future. They emphasized the use of modern technologies and knowledge, as well as the continuous development of sustainability programs. They specifically congratulated us for being part of the EU Mission “100 Climate-Neutral Cities” and for receiving the European Green Leaf Award 2024.
The jury visited Villa Bianco, Velenje Castle and its park, Old Velenje, the Gustav Šilih Primary School, the promenade and city center, the urban park and children’s playground, Sunny Park, the cemetery, Velenje Beach, Vista – the panoramic park, and the Kunta Kinte allotment garden. They stressed that they were not only interested in the city’s appearance, but also in its history, identity, and future plans. They praised the city’s achievements and noted that Velenje might be the youngest city they have ever visited. They observed a strong emphasis on stakeholder cooperation – from local providers, public institutions, volunteers, and residents to local companies.
They were pleased to see that the city’s development is rooted in contemporary architecture while preserving the city’s spirit. They were especially impressed by Tito Square, which they highlighted as a key urbanistic element in the broader environment. They also praised the preservation of mining heritage and local identity, as well as the city’s attention to the needs of its citizens.
The jury emphasized the tidiness, infrastructure, greenery, and uniqueness of the Velenje cemetery. They were impressed by the integration of educational programs and highlighted the importance of the outdoor classroom at Gustav Šilih Primary School, along with all the environmental protection projects being implemented. They commended the inclusion of locals and volunteers, as well as the presence of local vendors in front of Villa Bianco. They also noted the positive cooperation with the Velenje Coal Mine in maintaining the lakeside area.
The commission emphasized that the city excels in tourism, demonstrating clear awareness of its assets and successfully translating them into tourism experiences. The Šaleška Valley Tourism Institute plays a key role in shaping and further developing sustainable tourism. They found the 5-star experience Velenje Underground to be an excellent example — which they experienced themselves. They also noted that the Pippi Longstocking Festival and Vista, together with Velenje Beach, align strongly with the city’s vision of being a family-friendly destination — and were the highlights of their visit.
At the end of the visit, the Entente Florale Europe jury thanked everyone for an incredibly beautiful day full of diverse experiences, new insights, and heartfelt hospitality. They wished the city continued success in creating a more sustainable future for Velenje!
