The European Central Bank (ECB) plans to redesign euro banknotes while working with European citizens in a process expected to reach a final decision next year.
The redesign process will start with the creation of focus groups tasked with gathering opinions from people across the euro area, highlighting themes for the forthcoming issues. An advisory group with one expert from each euro area country will then submit a shortlist of new themes to the ECB’s governing council. The advisory group members, appointed by the ECB based on proposals from euro area national central banks, come from diverse fields such as history, natural and social sciences, visual arts and technology.
Current euro banknote designs are based on an “ages and styles” theme, represented by windows, doorways and bridges, according to the ECB.
“Euro banknotes are here to stay,” said ECB President Christine Lagarde. “They are a tangible and visible symbol that we stand together in Europe, particularly in times of crisis, and there is still a strong demand for them. After 20 years, it’s time to review the look of our banknotes to make them more relatable to Europeans of all ages and backgrounds.”