The European Central Bank (ECB) unveiled the 10 shortlisted design proposals for the next series of euro banknotes at an event on Thursday, simultaneously launching a public online survey to gather feedback from citizens across Europe.
The proposals are based on two thematic strands – “European culture” and “Rivers and birds” – and on the corresponding motifs chosen to illustrate them. The public survey will remain open until 21 September, while the ECB’s Governing Council is expected to select the final design around the end of the year.
According to the ECB, the 10 proposals emerged from an EU‑wide design contest. More than 1,200 applications were received from graphic designers, 25 of whom were invited to create design proposals for one or both themes.
At the event, ECB President Christine Lagarde said that euro banknotes “are more than a means of payment” and constitute “one of the most tangible expressions of Europe”. In her view, the new designs, combining beauty and meaning, will reinforce our shared European identity.
Ms Lagarde noted that the 10 proposals are the result of a process in which the ECB sought to hear Europeans’ views. She pointed out that more than 365,000 citizens took part in the 2023 consultation on the proposed themes for the new banknotes.
That process yielded two themes: “European culture” and “Rivers and birds”. She stressed that designers then worked to translate these themes into proposals for the new series of banknotes.
On the “European culture” theme, Ms Lagarde said that Europe has a rich cultural heritage and that culture promotes values, inclusion and dialogue in Europe and beyond. id that rivers and birds do not recognise borders and symbolise freedom, unity among Europeans and connection with nature.
According to the ECB, people across Europe are invited to take part in the public online survey on the 10 design proposals. Ms Lagarde clarified that the purpose of the survey is not to rank the designs, but to collect public opinion on each proposal to support the Governing Council’s decision-making.
It is noted that the ECB will publish a report on the results of both surveys after the final design concept has been selected.
According to Lagarde, the ECB is expected to take the final decision on the new banknote design at the end of the year. The decision will be based on a combination of factors, including the jury’s conclusions, the technical assessment and the results of the two surveys.
The link to the ECB’s public survey is: https://surveys.ecb.europa.eu/10b/neweuro/
See photos of the various designs:
