New and more environmentally friendly topics

board of directors European Central Bank (ECB).) has been selected “European Culture” and “Rivers and Birds” As potential subjects of future euro banknotes, the entity reported, which A decision is expected to be adopted in 2026 on the final designs and the start of production and issuance of the new banknotes.

The decision takes into account the results Surveys It was held in the summer of 2023 where European citizens expressed their preferences regarding the seven pre-selected topics.

In the survey conducted by the European Central Bank, with a representative sample of 23,377 Europeans, “European culture” was the most popular topic (21%) among Eurozone citizens, followed by “Rivers: the waters of life in Europe” (18%). “Birds: free, flexible and evocative” (17%).

Likewise, in the online survey conducted by the European Central Bank in July and August 2023, in which it received more than 365,000 responses from European citizens, the three favorite topics were the same, albeit in a different order, while The other four shortlisted topics ranked significantly lower in both surveys.

To reflect public preferences as broadly as possible, the Board of Directors gave its approval to combine “Rivers: Europe's Life Waters” and “Birds: Free, Flexible and Evocative” into a single nature theme.

“We are very pleased with the huge participation in our online survey,” the ECB President said. Christine Lagardeas the two chosen topics “share a common thread connecting Europe and Europeans, which perfectly matches the goal of ensuring that people of any age and origin are more familiar with banknotes.”

“Banknotes are a symbol of our European unity, now and in the future. “We are committed to ensuring that we can all choose our way of paying, whether using cash or digital,” said Piero Cipollone, member of the Executive Committee.

The Board of Directors decided to create a group of experts tasked with proposing decorations for the selected themes before the end of 2024. A competition will then be held to design the new banknotes and European citizens will have the opportunity to express their preferences on design options.

The European Central Bank is expected to adopt In 2026 decision On final designs and on starting production and issuance of new banknotes. Once the decision is made to issue new notes, it will take several years before the first notes are issued.

The current theme of the euro banknotes is “Era and Styles” The main decorations on the banknotes are windows, doors and bridges inspired by architectural styles from different periods of European history.

The ECB will also take into account that the new banknotes are as they are As respectful as possible to the environment.