Cash Cultivates Cultural Cohesion
Aug 3, 2023
Recognising the importance of cash to the shared cultural identity of its users, the European Central Bank (ECB) is asking European citizens to share their views on proposed themes for future euro banknotes.
Views will be collected via a survey open until 31 August, and these will inform the final choice of theme, with the banknotes expected to be issued in 2026. Launching the survey, ECB President Christine Lagarde highlighted the connection between currency and citizens’ shared sense of culture and belonging.
There is a strong link between our single currency and our shared European identity, and our new series of banknotes should emphasise this. We want Europeans to identify with the design of euro banknotes, which is why they will play an active role in selecting the new theme.
Seven potential themes have been shortlisted by the ECB’s Governing Council for the consideration of European citizens:
‘Birds’ are an overarching metaphor for freedom, inspiration and resilience, and a reminder that humans share the continent with a wealth of other lifeforms. ‘European culture’ would delve into the EU’s common values and creative sectors. ‘European values’ explores Europe as both a living space and an idea, with values linked to a respect for nature. ‘Future’ represents a harnessing of collective creativity and realisation of Europe’s potential. ‘Hands’ would recognise people involved in the EU’s physical infrastructure, and its artistic heritage. ‘Our Europe’ aims to evoke a sense of the freedom, values, and openness of European people. Finally, ‘rivers’ would represent crossing borders, showing Europe as a dynamic, evolving entity.
Cash itself continues to evolve, harnessing cutting-edge technologies to foil counterfeiters and ensure people can continue to use banknotes and coins with absolute confidence. Executive Board Member Fabio Panetta spoke on these features—as well as ongoing efforts to minimise the environmental impact of production—when reaffirming the ECB’s commitment to cash.
We are working on a new series of high-tech banknotes with a view to preventing counterfeiting and reducing environmental impact. We are committed to cash and to ensuring that paying with public money is always an option.