The socio-environmental recovery of the Llobregat River, led by the Barcelona Metropolitan Area (AMB) with 16 riverside municipalities, has been selected for the final of the European Commission's REGIOSTARS 2026 awards.

The project is the only finalist from Spain among 25 shortlisted entries across five categories, according to Xavier Tiana Casablancas, who announced the result on 21 July. For residents in the 16 municipalities covered by the scheme, an online public vote will open on 3 September.

“This nomination of a metropolitan project that runs through 16 municipalities recognises the many people who have worked over the years to transform the river,” Tiana said.

AMB's project, financed through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), is competing in the “A Green Europe” category. Tiana said the work has included urban planning, nature-based solutions, maintenance, biodiversity improvement, social cohesion and environmental education.

Public vote runs until 14 October

The European Commission said the 2026 competition received a record 274 applications from across Europe. A jury selected 25 finalists, five in each category.

  • 3 September: online voting for the Public Choice Award opens.
  • 13 October: finalists will present their projects during the European Week of Regions and Cities in Brussels.
  • 14 October, 12:00 CET: public voting closes, before the awards ceremony reveals the five category winners and the Public Choice Award winner.

Residents who want to follow the awards process or vote when the ballot opens can check the European Commission's REGIOSTARS Awards page. The Commission has said winners will receive a promotional campaign for their projects.

Primary sources: ec.europa.eu, european-social-fund-plus.ec.europa.eu, ec.europa.eu, managenergy.ec.europa.eu, Diputació de Barcelona. Reported by Source Text Link, Xavier Tiana Casablancas, agenceurope.eu, AlpTextyles Projectmanager, InternJS, ekathimerini.com, bellissimo.it, europapress.es, lavanguardia.com, deltallobregat.cat, lapremsadelbaix.es, LHDigital (L'Hospitalet).