Estonia Joins Euro Banknote Redesign Competition with Over 1,200 Designs Submitted

The European Central Bank is seeking to update the design of its euro banknotes due to advancements in security features and improvements in paper and ink. To achieve this, a competition was held, attracting over 1,200 designers from across Europe. Estonian designer Anne Pikov, who served on the jury for the preliminary selection, noted that proposals were submitted under two designated themes: 'European culture' and 'Birds and rivers'.

Participants had freedom in creating their concepts, but discussions during the selection process focused on factors such as number size, color intensity, and how people depicted should represent various fields of activity. Unlike previous banknotes featuring images of objects, new designs are expected to feature people and their skills and achievements.

The public can also vote for their preferred directions, with the results influencing the European Central Bank's final decision. The competition saw participation from five Estonian designers, but none made it to the final selection. According to Pikov, half of all payments in Europe are still made using banknotes, and the current notes will continue to be circulated alongside the new designs.

The European Central Bank aims to reflect the evolving needs of its users through these design updates, ensuring the euro banknotes remain secure and efficient for years to come. The implementation of these changes is expected to improve user experience and maintain public trust in the currency.