ECOXXI Green Flag

Until June 30, municipalities can apply for the ECOXXI Green Flag program, which awards municipalities with the best sustainability practices.

Citizenship, prosperity and well-being in society are achieved through respect for others, for future generations and for the planet on which we live.

The Green Flag identifies and recognizes the good sustainability practices of territories in Portugal, as a materialization of this respect. It challenges government bodies and the general public to plan for a better future. Coordinated by ABAAE FEE Portugal in partnership with MEO, the Green Flag symbolizes a commitment to sustainability. It is an aggregating concept that distinguishes municipalities (ECOXXI) and parishes (Eco-Freguesias XXI), which want to be an integral part of this movement for change and therefore comply with a set of sustainability criteria.

ECOXXI Municipalities

Every year it aims to identify, recognize and award municipalities with good sustainability practices and policies and actions around 21 indicators and more than 65 sub-indicators, thus motivating municipalities and citizens to the importance of their involvement in the process of moving towards a more responsible and sustainable society.

Eco-Freguesias XXI

Its aim is to increase sustainability at local level, valuing participatory citizenship processes and recognising the parishes that offer the best quality of life to their inhabitants.

João Ferrão

ECOXXI should be seen as an irrefutable challenge for all municipalities that place sustainability at the heart of their development strategies (2014)

Luísa Schmidt

The Agenda 21 indicators are essential to citizen life and to municipal life as the core of modern democracy. All the more so in times of crisis, which require greater efforts to reinforce the values of sustainability and thus improve the lives and dignity of citizens. (2014)

Institute of Social Sciences of the University of Lisbon

Nuno Lacasta

The Portuguese Environment Agency, an early supporter of ECOXXI, bears witness to and recognises those who, both in the exercise of their professional duties (...), help to perfect sustainable collective practice. (2014)

Portuguese Environment Agency

Fernanda Ludovico

We applied for ECOXXI in order to continue the work we have done and because we see this program as an important working tool as an indicator of the municipality's sustainability. (2020)

Municipality of Albufeira

Ana Filipa Silva

In addition to ECOXXI being a tool for ʺinternal measurementʺ of the municipality's behaviour on environmental issues and sustainable development, the green flag is also a recognition that we don't want to lose but rather raise. (2020)

Municipality of Mealhada

Paula Silva

We applied for ECOXXI because we believe it is an asset for the municipality to evaluate and improve its performance and identify areas for intervention. It allows for an exchange of ideas and has a motivating effect on action. (2020)

Municipality of Estarreja

Cristina Marinho

It is considered important to systematize the information on municipal activity in the indicators requested in ECOXXI, allowing for strategic analysis. (2020)

Municipality of Amadora

Ana Pinto

It has been a great pleasure to be part of the team that has contributed to making ECOXXI a benchmark for local sustainability strategy. (2020)

Portuguese Institute of Quality and ECOXXI jury

Nuno Ferreira

The ECOXXI Program is an excellent decision-making tool. In this decade where decarbonization and carbon neutrality of territories will be the main key issues, the ECOXXI Programme, more than ever, should be an instrument for municipalities to adopt. (2020)

Association of Energy and Environment Agencies and ECOXXI jury

Mário Alves

Participation in the ECOXXI program is an excellent time for the municipality to take stock of its progress towards a more balanced and sustainable development. (2020)

Mobility and Transport Specialist