The city of Vilnius is showing how a fast-growing European capital can cut emissions, strengthen resilience and improve quality of life at the same time. Over the past year, as European Green Capital for 2025, the city has committed to accelerating sustainability, climate action and smart urban development.
Vilnius has used the award as a launchpad to go even further in its green ambitions and inspire other cities across Europe.
Run since 2008, the European Green Capital Award is an EU initiative that recognises and rewards cities for their commitment to sustainability and environmental improvement.
In its time as an award holder, Vilnius has taken significant strides with tried-and-tested approaches such as expanding cycling options and green spaces, while also reimagining what urban sustainability can look like. This includes a Citizens’ Assembly on mobility, an innovative approach to food-waste management using black soldier fly larvae, and a rapid shift towards cleaner, more efficient district heating.
Now, as the city prepares to hand over the title to the city of Guimarães, we spoke with Jurga Pociūtė-Mikūtienė, Head of Vilnius European Green Capital 2025, to find out what the award has meant in practice, what has been achieved so far, and where Vilnius goes next.
Creative solutions
Vilnius’s leftovers might just be a bug’s next meal. The city has harnessed the power of black soldier fly larvae to help process food waste, efficiently converting scraps into valuable resources such as protein, fertiliser and industrial materials.
“Vilnius has taken an innovative approach to food waste management by introducing black soldier fly larvae processing, a method that turns waste into valuable resources,” explains Pociūtė-Mikūtienė. “This not only reduces landfill waste and emissions but also supports a true circular economy where nothing goes to waste.”
Vilnius has taken an innovative approach to food waste management by introducing black soldier fly larvae processing
Since the new food-waste sorting system was introduced in early 2024, residents have already collected more than 3,500 tonnes of food waste. The city is now exploring new applications, from sustainable bait for the fishing industry to protein products and biofertilisers, showing how one innovation can trigger a wider green transition.
Vilnius has also rethought how its residents are supplied with electricity and heat. The Vilnius Combined Heat and Power Plant now covers up to half of the city’s centralised heating demand and produces enough electricity to supply around 230,000 to 300,000 households.
The plant operates primarily on locally sourced renewable biomass, such as wood chips and agricultural residues, supplemented by non-recyclable municipal waste that remains after sorting.
This dual-fuel approach reduces dependence on fossil fuels while supporting the city’s circular-economy goals by turning waste into energy. At the Second Vilnius Combined Heat and Power Plant, the most powerful 60 MW absorption heat pump in the Baltic States has been installed, allowing more heat to be produced from the same amount of fuel and further increasing efficiency.
Network reconstruction and the transition to a new-generation, efficient district heating network are reducing heat losses and increasing the share of renewable energy sources.
“We have ambitious plans to completely phase out fossil fuels,” says Pociūtė-Mikūtienė. “The transition is only possible through strong investment in modern infrastructure, clear political will and collaboration between public institutions and the private sector.”
We have ambitious plans to completely phase out fossil fuels
All hands on deck
Vilnius’s residents are not just beneficiaries of these changes, they help shape them. To put people at the centre of decision making, the city launched a Citizens’ Assembly on mobility. Set to end in December, the assembly offers a structured forum for citizens to share ideas on how to make green modes of transport the easiest and most attractive way to move around Vilnius.
The discussions focus on everyday issues, such as what prevents residents from choosing public transport, cycling or walking, how public transport can become a real alternative to the car, and how to make it easier to move within neighbourhoods on foot or by bike.
“We strongly believe that constructive discussions between citizens from all walks of life, which lead to common agreements, are the essential foundations of a strong democracy and a strong city,” Pociūtė-Mikūtienė states.
For the city, the assembly is both a listening exercise and a commitment. Officials have pledged to take the recommendations into account, to publish regular updates on implementation and, if a recommendation is rejected, to explain why. Unanimous agreement in a large city may be unlikely, but Vilnius is showing that it is still possible to move forward while listening carefully to residents.
“The best possible outcome of the Citizens’ Assembly process is to agree on the same core guidelines for the future of transport,” says Pociūtė-Mikūtienė. “It is important that we identify what is most important for all citizens.”
Looking ahead: from award year to long-term plan
The end of Vilnius’s year as European Green Capital does not mean the end of its environmental progress.
“All of this has further strengthened our commitment to continuing environmental action and our determination to become an even greener, more sustainable and innovative city, one that inspires not only Lithuania but the whole of Europe toward sustainable change,” says Pociūtė-Mikūtienė.
The steps the city has taken so far are just the beginning. The black soldier fly larvae may soon become not only Vilnius’s newest food-waste managers, but also a source of sustainable fish bait, protein products and biofertilisers.
In energy, the city plans to expand innovative technologies, recover more waste heat and keep modernising its 770 kilometres of district heating networks to support its climate-neutral ambitions.
Pociūtė-Mikūtienė is clear that transforming the Baltic region’s largest city is not a simple task. Lithuania has around 3,000 kilometres of district heating networks, with Vilnius alone accounting for roughly a quarter of that. Adjusting internal processes is relatively quick, but rebuilding networks is complex and time-consuming.
People of all ages have joined in to make Vilnius greener and more sustainable together
Even so, she is confident: “All challenges can be overcome when there is a clear goal, to ensure that the city’s energy system is clean, efficient, and contributes to the overall objective of becoming a climate-neutral city.”
Over the past year, Vilnius has also brought its Green Capital title to life through public events, clean-up actions and tree-planting days, engaging businesses, communities, schools and kindergartens.
“People of all ages have joined in to make Vilnius greener and more sustainable together,” adds Pociūtė-Mikūtienė.
A long-term mission for Vilnius and Europe
The complex geopolitical situation in the Baltic region has created real headwinds for the green transition. Some enterprises have stepped back from earlier carbon-neutrality commitments, shifting towards more immediate priorities.
For Vilnius, this makes European support even more critical. “It is crucial that the EU maintains its strategic focus on sustainability, a just and inclusive green transition, and robust financial support for those committed to advancing climate neutrality and resilience,” Pociūtė-Mikūtienė stresses.
Sustained and targeted funding is essential if cities like Vilnius are to preserve their leadership and address the specific challenges of their region.
By managing the energy sector wisely..., cities can contribute directly to national well-being
Despite the difficulties, the outlook is hopeful. “It is a long journey, but one that brings tangible benefits to people, nature and nations,” she reflects. “By managing the energy sector wisely, implementing innovations and new technologies, and doing so with care for people and the environment, cities can contribute directly to national well-being.”
For Vilnius, being European Green Capital is not a one-off accolade, but part of a long-term transformation.
By combining technical innovation, citizen engagement and a clear vision for the future, this innovative city is proving that the green transition can be both ambitious and rooted in everyday life. It is a mission that brings real benefits to residents and nature, and a path that other European cities can also follow.
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Learn more about Vilnius’ innovative actions as the European Green Capital for 2025.
Main photo © Vilnius City Municipality / Saulius Žiūra
