Finnish designer's euro banknote proposal advances in ECB competition

New euro banknotes are one step closer to reality, with the European Central Bank announcing the shortlist of design proposals. Among the selected concepts is a series drawn by Finnish graphic designer Ville Tietäväinen.

"Euro banknotes are more than just a means of payment – they are one of the most tangible manifestations of Europe," stated ECB President Christine Lagarde. She emphasized that the banknotes, with their blend of beauty and meaning, strengthen Europe's shared identity.

The selection process involved a Europe-wide design competition that attracted over 1,200 graphic designers. A jury of 21 experts, appointed by each euro area national central bank, narrowed down the initial submissions to 25. These 25 designers were tasked with creating proposals based on two themes: European culture and rivers and birds.

From these 25, a jury selected ten proposals to advance to the next stage. The jury includes art historian Timo Huusko as its Finnish member. The ECB has launched an online survey, inviting citizens to share their opinions on the shortlisted designs. The final design will be chosen by the ECB council by the end of the year, marking the first complete redesign of euro banknotes since their introduction in 2002.

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Euro banknotes are more than just a means of payment – they are one of the most tangible manifestations of Europe. They strengthen our shared identity with their appearance, which combines beauty and meaning.