Euro Banknote Redesign Seeks to Reflect Changing European Values

The European Central Bank (ECB) has launched a redesign of euro banknotes to incorporate new security features and reflect changing values in Europe. According to designer Anne Pikkov, who represented Estonia on the pre-selection jury, the ECB wanted to review whether the original design themes still resonated with Europeans today.

The redesign process involved 1,200 designers across Europe submitting proposals based on two selected themes: 'European Culture' and 'Birds and Rivers'. The jury included not only designers but also psychologists and neuroscientists to ensure that the new designs would be effective in communicating European values. Pikkov noted that the previous banknotes showed objects, whereas the new ones will feature the European person and their skills and achievements.

The public is being given a say in the final design through an online vote. The ECB will use this feedback to shape its final decision on the new euro banknote designs. Existing banknotes will continue to be in circulation alongside the new ones, which are expected to add another option for digital payments rather than replacing them entirely.