The European Central Bank (ECB) has initiated a public contest to design future euro banknotes, marking a new phase in the redesign process. The ECB’s Governing Council has narrowed down two potential themes for the new banknotes: “European culture,” which highlights shared cultural spaces and notable Europeans, and “Rivers and birds,” focusing on Europe’s natural ecosystems.
In January, motifs were chosen to represent these themes. The contest is open to graphic designers living in the European Union and will occur in two stages: an application phase followed by a design proposal phase. During the application phase, designers must meet specific criteria outlined in the contest notice. Their qualifications and achievements will be evaluated, with selected candidates moving on to submit their designs.
A Design Contest Jury of independent experts will review submissions, selecting up to five proposals per theme. ECB President Christine Lagarde said, “The euro is more than a currency – it symbolises European unity and diversity. Through this contest, we invite designers across Europe to shape the future of our banknotes to reflect our shared cultural identity and natural heritage.”
Once the contest concludes, public feedback will be sought on the chosen designs. The Governing Council aims to finalize the design by 2026, with new banknotes expected to circulate after production is complete. Further details are available on the ECB’s website and in the Official Journal of the European Union. Designers must apply by 12:00 CET on August 18.
Information from this article can be found here.
