" European Central Bank | Design Contest for future euro banknotes "
European Central Bank | Design Contest for future euro banknotes
ECB invites graphic designers across Europe to shape the future of banknotes
Image: Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
The European Central Bank (ECB) launched a public contest for the design of future euro banknotes – the next step in the euro banknote redesign process. The ECB’s Governing Council has already selected two possible themes for the future euro banknotes after consulting experts and the public. These are: “European culture”, focusing on shared cultural spaces and important Europeans; and “Rivers and birds”, focusing on the resilience and diversity of Europe’s natural ecosystems. In January the Governing Council also selected motifs to illustrate the two possible themes.
The design contest, which is open to graphic designers residing in the European Union, aims to identify the best design proposals for the future euro banknotes. The contest will proceed in two phases: an application phase and a design proposal phase. During the application phase, designers must meet the specific requirements listed in the contest notice. The applicants will be assessed on the basis of their qualifications and achievements.
Selected designers will be invited to participate in the second phase and submit their design proposals. A group of independent experts – the Design Contest Jury – will evaluate the proposals and select up to five per theme.
INFO
AMOUNT
- The ECB will pay Applicants that are invited to phase 2 a lump sum of EUR 5,000 (for one theme) or EUR 10,000 (for two themes).
- A second instalment of EUR 10,000 (for one theme) or EUR 20,000 (for two themes) will be paid to Applicants who have been invited to phase 2 and who have submitted in phase 2 a complete design proposal.
- The ECB will pay the Applicants whose designs are selected as the winners of this design contest at the end of phase 2 an additional lump sum of EUR 10,000 for each winning design proposal.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
18 August 2025
ELIGIBLE COUNTRIES
ELIGIBILITY
For the eligibility criteria list, please thoroughly read ECB's Q&A document.
NOTE
*The calls that are listed on our website are shared for informational purposes and are sometimes subject to change. Please visit the organization's official open call website for up-to-date information
DEADLINE
2025-08-18
TYPE OF SUPPORT
Public funding
FUNDING COUNTRIES
All EU Countries