What’s land recycling? Read about this German example
The city of Flensburg got a grant from the regional government of Schleswig-Holstein so that it would avoid building on new land
All Member States should start using it by 1 July
The European Commission informed today that it has reached a key milestone in the implementation of the Digital COVID certificate. The technical system for certificate verification at the European Union level was put into operation on 1 June. This allows for secure verification of the health status document, without compromising travellers’ data.
This does not yet mean that the EU Digital COVID Certificate is fully operational, however – some countries, which are technically ready, can already start using the system and convert their national certificates into the new format, while the entire EU should be ready with the process by 1 July, when the European regulation comes into force.
As we reported earlier, the EU DIGITAL COVID certificate (formerly referred to as Digital Green Certificate) was proposed by the EU executive with a view to allowing safe travel in the summer. The document, available in digital and/or paper format, will serve as proof that a person has been either vaccinated against COVID-19, tested negative prior to departure or has recently recovered from the illness (a different variation of the certificate will be available for each case).
The certificate is issued on the national level by a hospital, a test centre, a health authority, with each authority having its own digital signature key. These keys are stored in a secure database in each country. Now, the European Commission has built a common gateway through which all certificate signatures can be verified across the EU.
The certificate operates with a Quick Response (QR code) and is offered in a national language and in English. The newly-launched portal allows authorities in other countries to check the features contained in the QR codes of all certificates, i.e. their authenticity. This completes the preparatory work at EU level.
The Commission also reported that until today, 22 countries have successfully tested the portal. Although the regulation will apply from 1 July, all Member States that have already completed the technical tests and are ready to issue and verify certificates can start using the system on a voluntary basis.
As of today, seven Member States - Bulgaria, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Croatia and Poland - have started issuing the first EU certificates. Some countries are waiting for all functions to be available at the national level before launching the EU DIGITAL COVID certificate (see where the EU Digital Certificate is available on the map in the Gallery above).
Up-to-date information on the progress of the work on the implementation of the EU Digital Covid Certificate is available here.
The goal is to preserve these traditional features in the urban landscape while finding new purpose for their existence
His name is Adrian-Dragoș Benea from Romania
Find out her vision for the next five years and what’s in store for the European Union
Gotland wants to be at the forefront of this emerging mobility technology
It’s all about preventing the habit of slowing down just for the radar
Landkreis Heilbronn will also enlist the help of sensors to identify incorrectly filled organic trash bins
Apparently, that makes it the most progressive city in that respect in all of Finland
Residents couldn’t handle the noise pollution anymore
The Old Continent gets ready for the largest festival of sports
Apparently, that makes it the most progressive city in that respect in all of Finland
The goal is to preserve these traditional features in the urban landscape while finding new purpose for their existence
Residents couldn’t handle the noise pollution anymore
Urban dwellers across the EU are having a say in making their surroundings friendlier to people and the environment.
Forests in the EU can help green the European construction industry and bolster a continent-wide push for architectural improvements.
Apply by 10 November and do your part for the transformation of European public spaces
An interview with the Mayor of a Polish city that seeks to reinvent itself
An interview with the newly elected ICLEI President and Mayor of Malmö
A conversation with the Mayor of Lisbon about the spirit and dimensions of innovation present in the Portuguese capital