On 12 December 2025, the National Palace of Mafra hosted the formal ceremony for the presentation of the ECOXXI 2025 Green Flag Award, an initiative promoted by the Blue Flag Association for Environment and Education (ABAAE), which publicly recognises national municipalities that demonstrate commitment and concrete results in promoting sustainable development at the local level.
The ECOXXI Programme, which has been continuously implemented in Portugal since 2005, is a demanding benchmark for education for sustainability and environmental quality, based on 21 indicators that assess strategic areas such as environmental education, civil society, nature conservation, air, water, energy, waste, mobility, spatial planning and tourism. This assessment system is not limited to recognition, but also serves as a management tool that guides strategic decision-making and the setting of goals for a sustainable future.
In the 2025 edition, 60 of the 61 municipalities that submitted applications were awarded the ECOXXI Green Flag, representing a large majority of participants and demonstrating a growing commitment to implementing good practices. These municipalities represent around 20% of all Portuguese municipalities, with the highest concentration on the mainland, especially in the north and centre.
The municipalities of Braga, Cantanhede, Lagos, Leiria, Lousã, Mealhada, Mafra, Nazaré, Oeiras, Pombal, Torres Vedras, and Viana do Castelo stand out for having exceeded the ECOXXI Index of 90%, demonstrating excellent performance.
Turismo de Portugal is part of the ECO XXI National Commission and the National Jury for evaluating municipal projects under Indicator 21 – “Sustainable Tourism”, which was the highest-scoring indicator in the 2025 edition.
2025 also marks a commemorative moment for the ECOXXI Programme, with the start of celebrations for its 20 years of existence in Portugal, two decades of work dedicated to promoting local sustainability and building resilient and responsible territories. On this occasion, the ECOXXI Merit Awards were also presented, designed to recognise key areas such as environmental education, mobility, energy, communication and tourism, further encouraging the sharing of good practices.
The ECOXXI Green Flag Award represents more than a symbol of recognition: it is a clear incentive for each municipality to commit to integrated, transparent public policies guided by the principles of sustainable development. By promoting the exchange of experiences and the appreciation of innovative projects, this programme has been consolidating a culture of sustainability among Portuguese municipalities.
