The Governing Council of the European Central Bank (ECB) has selected the motifs of two possible themes for future euro banknotes - "European culture: shared cultural spaces", which highlights shared cultural spaces and famous Europeans, and "Rivers and birds: diversity means resilience", with an emphasis on resilience and diversity in nature and European institutions, and this year will launch a design competition, to which designers from across the EU will be able to apply.

The Croatian National Bank announces that when making this decision, proposals from two multidisciplinary advisory groups with members from across the euro area were taken into account and the selection is in line with the opinions of more than 365 thousand Europeans who participated in public surveys conducted in the summer of 2023 and the work of focus groups in the period from December 2021 to March 2022 regarding banknote topics.

"We are pleased to present real-life motifs to show our commitment to Europe and celebrate its cultural heritage and natural environment. The new banknotes will symbolise our common European identity and the diversity that makes us stronger," said ECB President Christine Lagarde.

The theme "European Culture" celebrates the shared cultural spaces that have shaped European identity over the centuries. The motifs for this theme represent various cultural activities and spaces as well as famous European personalities who contributed to the creation of European cultural heritage over six centuries.

The shortlist includes for the front and back of the banknote: from 5 euros Maria Callas and street performers, from 10 euros Ludwig van Beethoven and a festival where a children's and youth choir sings, 20 euros Marie Curie and a teacher studying students, 50 euros Miguel de Cervantes and adults, boy and girl in the library, 100 euros Leonardo da Vinci and adults and children looking at art, and 200 euros Bertha von Suttner and a square with trees.

The theme "Rivers and Birds" highlights the resilience and diversity of Europe's natural ecosystems by presenting different parts of the river course and bird species, emphasizing the importance of protecting nature and the environment.

The short list includes for the front and back of the banknote: a €5 mountain spring and the European Parliament, a €10 waterfall and the European Commission, a €20 narrow river valley and the ECB, a €50 winding river and the Court of Justice of the EU, a €100 estuary and the European Council and the Council of the EU and a €200 seascape and the European Court of Auditors.

This year, the ECB will appoint a jury and launch a design competition, to which designers from across the EU will be able to apply. In 2026, the public will be asked to evaluate the shortlisted design solutions.

The Administrative Council is expected to make a final decision on the design in 2026. The new banknotes will be ready for circulation several years after the final decision on the design and after production.