2020 Participants

These 8 towns and villages represent their countries in this year´s competition of Entente Florale Europe:

AUSTRIA

Bad Schallerbach

The Austrian community Bad Schallerbach with 4300 inhabitants is a thermal and tourist resort and is located in a gentle hill landscape in Upper Austria, between the cities of Salzburg and Linz.

In the heart of the community there is a lively spot with shops and restaurants for culinary enjoyment. In the course of the redesign of the town, traffic routes have been sustainably improved (f.e. bike paths, public bus routes), new shopping opportunities have been centralized and living spaces created. In the vicinity of the center there are parks with playgrounds and oases of wellbeing. The largest park in Bad Schallerbach is the Botanica Park, where the Horticultural show took place. Bad Schallerbach is involved in many environmental projects and received the “Climate Protection Community” award.

Bad Schallerbach is home of the Austria’s largest thermal baths, the EurothermenResort Bad Schallerbach. In addition to health facilities, the hotel “Paradiso”, the sauna mountain village “Auszeit”, the cabrio thermal springs “Tropicana” and the pirate world “Aquapulco”.

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BELGIUM

Overijse

Welcome to pithy Overijse, a town southeast of Brussels! We cherish and protect our green and rural
character. Every year we decorate our town with summer and winter flowers. Our open soil is sustainably
planted with perennials and shrubs. We consider climate change, CO2 absorption ond added value for our
fauna when planting ond chopping trees along our avenues. Because of the sloping landscape, we
particularly pay attention to water infiltration from the concept phase onwards: this results in the
construction of sustainable buffer basins, larger green areas ond the use of permeable materials. ln order
to maximally increase our ecological value, we implemented a mowing plan too. We also maintain o
number of greenhouses ond some old grape varieties with a view to preserve our heritage. Furthermore,
our public space is mantained without using ony pesticides. Finally, we also involve our residents in
developing new, qreen projects.

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CZECH REPUBLIC

Dobrochov

The village Dobrochov is located in the Olomouc region, which is a part of the Czech Republic. The first written mention of the village is from 1131. Dobrochov is mainly an agricultural village. Intensive agricultural production has a negative impact on the environment, in particular the limited number of forest areas. Despite this handicap, the municipality constantly creates conditions for sustainable development and improvement of the environment.

The village has been constantly improving its surroundings with the aim of expanding green areas by new planting and restoration of extinct forest areas and trees, as well as expand the space for leisure time. Public participation and support of the municipal council contributed fundamentally to the ongoing process of creating and improving public spaces in the municipality. Great emphasis is also placed on environmental education. There is no school in the village and so the main role in environmental education is played by the clubs. A well-developed waste management strategy encouraged a significant increase in sorted waste and its disposal. Throughout the year, the village Dobrochov organizes a number of cultural events, in particular traditional folk festivals and observance of Christian customs and traditions, aimed primarily at children and youth.

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GERMANY

Bollstedt

Bollstedter citizens have given the future a lot of thought and have manifested this in a village development strategy. They are particularly proud that they have no vacant or derelict houses and buildings in the village. For them, internal development has priority over external development. New usage concepts for the old mill, the old school, the school yard, the old garden center and the old school sports hall have been developed and successfully implemented.

The inhabitants are very proud that they have a kindergarten for more than 50 children aged 1-6 years. The have a doctor in the village, a hairdresser, a beauty salon, an inn and a bakery.

The residents not only rely on politics, but also actively help. With just over 1,000 inhabitants, Bollstedt has 10 active associations in which 650 members are active. In the associations there are two associations, the landscape maintenance association and the Bollstedt playground association, which are not everywhere and which do outstanding work in their field.

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HUNGARY

Székesfehérvár 

Székesfehérvár is an ancient coronational city, which is one of the strongest industrial cities in Hungary nowadays, a main traffic hub located between Budapest and Lake Balaton. The downtown, which was restored in 2013, shines as a gem at the heart of this strong economic centre preserving its medieval structure of streets. Life buzzes in the centre with exciting events all year round which are best enjoyed on the cosy terraces.

Besides the continuous development of parks we are also proud to be able to involve local communities in the movement to adorn the city with a local campaign „For a flowery and greener Székesfehérvár”. Székesfehérvár has successfully taken part in the competition „Hungary in Bloom” since 1994 every year, and in 2017, the city also received the special award of the Prime Minister. In 2019 Székesfehérvár was the national winner in City category.

Sustainability is a very important factor in the development of Székesfehérvár. The green heart of the city, the rehabilitated Sóstó Conservation Area and Nature Trail on around 220 ha (540 ac) was inaugurated in 2018. Only a 10-minute drive from the downtown, it welcomes the lovers of nature with special flora and fauna. In the neighbourhood MOL Aréna Sóstó, which was among the World’s Top 10 Stadiums in 2018, hosts numerous public events. Our mission is to make Székesfehérvár develop as a vivid, green smart city with a cohesive local community in the heart of Hungary and Europe. Welcome to Székesfehérvár!

 

 

Orfű

Orfű is a holiday destination located among the hills of Mecsek Mountains, 15 km from the city of Pécs. The former five villages of the valley have developed over the past few decades into a united recreational area, showcasing the exceptional natural treasures of the South of Hungary.

Orfű is all for relaxation and leisure: the climate is excellent, the air is clean, and the landscape with three large lakes is beautiful. There is a large choice of activities, sports fields, horse-riding, water sports, heritage sights, museums, restaurants, guest houses and even music events. The community always welcomes guests, who can find everything for a perfect vacation. Wild forests, lakes for bathing, fishing and water sports; thermal bath and fresh water beaches, a stalactite cave – all within a 10 km radius.

The fascinating beauty of the diverse landscape, the tranquility of the cosy villages hiding in the forests, the fields, and the friendly community preserving and enhancing the natural values ​​make Orfű and its surroundings a very popular travel destination of Hungary and Europe.

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IRELAND

Carlow

Carlow Town is strategically located in the heart of the South East of Ireland. The Town stands at the confluence of the Burrin and Barrow rivers with the beautiful Town Park adjacent to the latter with its unique landscaping and design which can be enjoyed by both residents and visitors.   Tradition has it that the junction of the two rivers once formed four lakes. The rivers are an excellent recreational and amenity resource for the community and visitors. The name “Carlow” means Four Lakes.

The Council has been steadily cultivating sustainability and achieving carbon neutral and environmentally sustainable future. Environmental education through the Green Schools project is also contributing to this. And a biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan has been prepared for the Town by the Carlow Town Development Forum with engagement with relevant stakeholders to improve the amenity of the town, the quality of the public realm and to support and enhance urban biodiversity. Examples include Biodiversity Garden at Barrack Street, a welcome pollinator-friendly zone within the town, Carlow College- Bug hotel, An Gairdín Beo a place of sustainability, Highfield Housing Estate -Wild flower garden space and pollinator-friendly planting at VISUAL Centre and George Bernard Shaw Theatre.

 

Keadue

Keadue village situated in County Roscommon is adjacent to Lough Meelagh and at the foot of the Arigna mountains. The village won numerous awards over the years in the Tidy Towns competition including the National Award in 1993 and 2003 and a Silver Medal in the Entente Florale. The O’Carolan International Harp Festival, held in honour of the famous harper and composer Turlough O’Carolan, who is interred in Kilronan Abbey, takes place annually.

The community actively promotes its heritage, biodiversity and sustainability.  Heritage trails and walks have been developed through the local Knockranny wood where people can experience the flora and fauna. Along this walk there is a Court Tomb dating back to 3000BC. A ‘Crannóg’, an ancient lake dwelling, can be seen in Lough Meelagh. One can also see Kilronan Castle Hotel. This had been a ruin until 2006 and was developed as a luxury Hotel and Spa.