Birds, rivers, hands… Citizens of the euro zone invited to give their opinion on the future design of their banknotes

Birds, rivers or hands? Citizens of the euro zone are invited to give their opinion, from Monday 10 July, on the future design of their banknotes within the framework of a consultation launched by the European Central Bank. All inhabitants of the euro zone can answer a survey on the ECB website until the end of August.

“We want Europeans to recognize themselves in the design of euro banknotes”that is why “they will play an active role in the selection of the new theme”, ECB President Christine Lagarde said in a statement.

The idea is that these new banknotes, which Europeans should not have in their hands until 2029 or 2030, speak more to citizens than the current motifs showing architectural styles without representing any monument or bridge actually existing.

Seven pre-selected themes

Seven themes have been pre-selected. Among them: the “birds”, “free, resilient and inspiring” ; the rivers criss-crossing Europe or the “hands”symbols of a Europe with “build together”, according to the ECB press release. Other more abstract ones evoke the “european culture” but also the “future” where the “reflection of European values ​​in nature”.

The ECB will use the results of this survey and another carried out among a representative sample of Europeans to select the theme for the next series of banknotes. “by 2024”, according to the press release. A graphic design competition will then be organised, which will give Europeans another opportunity to express their preferences, before the choice of the designs selected and the announcement of a timetable for issuing tickets in 2026.