The city of Varaždin has been awarded the prestigious international Silver Award by the Green Destinations organization. Notably, Varaždin is the first major city in Croatia to reach this level of sustainability, joining destinations such as Krka National Park, Plitvice Lakes, Mljet National Park, Telašćica Nature Park, as well as the Vukovar-Srijem, Međimurje, and Zagreb Counties, and Lika.
After several months of preparation, sustainability reporting, and a field audit, Varaždin was granted the Silver Award, which will be officially presented at the Green Destinations Global Conference on 29 September 2025 in Montpellier, France. Interestingly, most candidates typically start at the bronze level after evaluation, whereas Varaždin directly achieved silver status.
Through its Department of Economic Affairs, the city of Varaždin applied for the international Green Destinations Award, which evaluates sustainable tourist destinations worldwide based on environmental, socio-economic, and cultural criteria. The assessment covers 84 criteria aligned with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) standards, organized into six key areas:
- Destination management
- Nature and landscape
- Environment and climate
- Culture and tradition
- Social well-being
- Economic sustainability
The award confirms Varaždin’s excellence in preserving natural and cultural heritage, waste management, energy efficiency, and climate adaptation, ensuring the long-term attractiveness of tourism and the quality of life for the local community.
The Green Destinations Award & Certification program encourages cities, regions, and protected areas to continuously improve sustainable management, with regular independent audits conducted every two to three years. Since 2018, the certification has been accredited by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, giving Varaždin’s recognition additional weight and international visibility.
With this award, Varaždin establishes itself as a unique example of a continental city with over 40,000 residents achieving a level of sustainability previously awarded primarily to national parks and counties.
