Every two years, the European Landscape Contractors Association (ELCA), in cooperation with the Bundesverband Garten-, Landschafts- und Sportplatzbau e. V. (BGL), honors outstanding achievements in the industry with the ELCA Trend Award at the GaLaBau trade fair in Nuremberg. President Henrik Bos explains in an interview why each of the awards is forward-looking for the industry, but also for politics.

"Through our work, we give the landscaping industry visibility and appreciation."

Mr. Bos, what significance does the ELCA Trend Award have for the European landscaping industry?

Henrik Bos: The days when green was seen as just decoration are over. Today we know that green can improve the climate, increase biodiversity, and promote public health. In view of the current social challenges, our sector will play an increasingly important role in these issues.

 

The ELCA Trend Award showcases the latest developments

The award gives our industry visibility and recognition. It also provides a glimpse into the future: what future needs will the gardening and landscaping sector have to address? And what can it achieve?

"'Circl' took up the topics of circular economy, biodiversity and reduction of greenhouse gases, even before the European Commission's Green Deal!"

What impetus do the awards give to international GaLaBau?
Henrik Bos: In 2018, the nominations came from the Netherlands. Two projects were honored: "Circl" and "Green Dream". "Circl" addressed the topics of circular economy, biodiversity and CO2 reduction - even before the European Commission launched the Green Deal!

"The issues have now reached the general public."

"Green Dream" focused on biodiversity. Ultimately, both projects have developed great appeal in the industry. The topics have now reached the general public. In 2022, Sweden showed how green spaces can improve the quality of life in a retirement home with impressive outdoor areas.

"The European population is getting older and older, we need green spaces that are adapted to this."

Always adapting green spaces to the population structure

Because people in Europe are getting older and older, we need green spaces that are adapted to this. The Swedish project focuses on the social value of green spaces and their benefits for residents. The positive effects of greenery on people's health and quality of life have now been proven by many studies.

Which international trend is emerging in the ELCA Trend Award 2024?
Henrik Bos: This year, projects from Austria have been nominated on the topic of "Nature in the garden". Unfortunately, private gardens are still predominantly seen as private spaces, yet they are ecological gateways. Every garden has an impact on its surroundings. That is why we have selected private gardens that take up the aspect of nature, even beyond their own property boundaries. Because we need to think more holistically and also include insects, bees, butterflies and birds.

These findings should be incorporated into future planning. This is a future trend! That's why at GaLaBau we will be showing that gardens beyond lawns, pools and beautiful flowers can also be designed with nature in mind and still be stylish.

"From such platforms, we can provide valuable impetus for policy."

Where do you see the ELCA in five or ten years' time?

Henrik Bos: We want to bring our messages and our knowledge not only to Europe, but also to Asia, Africa, and Australia. Because it's about showing how valuable green is for this planet and for people. This is also important regarding the sustainability goals of the United Nations. We therefore need to make the value of living greenery for the future even clearer, for example for climate change.
The GaLaBau trade fair will take place for the 25th time in September. How do you rate its importance?
Henrik Bos: GaLaBau in Nuremberg is certainly one of the most important international events in the gardening and landscaping sector. And compared to other countries, Germany has the largest and fastest-growing landscaping industry in the world.

Thinking outside the box!

Nevertheless, I would like to see even more insights into other countries. The trade fair, just like the work of the ELCA, underlines the enormous importance of horticulture and landscaping for the future. Also at a political level. In Europe, many laws and regulations are currently being introduced that are aimed at biodiversity, climate protection and renaturation. GaLaBau offers the opportunity to gather information, exchange ideas and develop new ideas together. From such platforms, we can provide politicians with valuable impetus and show what our industry can contribute to these issues. This includes innovative technologies as well as showcase projects that highlight the importance of living green spaces for our society, especially in urban areas.

The ELCA trend award "Building with green"
As an association for landscape gardeners at European level, the ELCA, together with the German Federal Association of Gardening, Landscaping and Sports Facilities (BGL), promotes the planning and implementation of ecological buildings and sustainable (urban) green spaces as well as the design of outdoor areas, green buildings, and green-blue infrastructure. The international ELCA trend award "Building with Green" honors outstanding achievements every two years. Nominations come from a European country and must relate to a given theme. An international jury of experts decides which project ultimately makes it to first place. In addition to the highest level of professionalism in gardening and landscaping, sustainability, maintenance effort and appeal are also assessed in order to provide innovative impetus for the industry.
Link: https://www.elca.info/award.php

"The GaLaBau trade fair, just like the work of the ELCA, underlines the enormous importance that gardening and landscaping has for the future. Also at a political level."

About Henrik Bos
The landscaping entrepreneur from Finland has been at the helm of the ELCA since April 2022. Further honorary positions: board member of the Finnish Landscaping Association (link: https://www.vyl.fi/in-english/), board member of the Finnish Infrastructure Association (link: https://hiilineutraalisuomi.fi/en-US) and WorldSkills (link: https://worldskills.org/) Skill Manager since 2017. The passionate landscape gardener took over his father's landscaping business in 1998, sold it five years later to the VRJ Group, but is still active there. The company has been an active ELCA member for over 30 years. From 2016 to 2022, Bos was Chairman of the ELCA Committee of Firms.

Egbert Roozen - ELCA General Secretary
Dutchman Egbert Roozen, who has worked in horticulture and landscaping for around 15 years, has been ELCA Secretary General since May 2023. He was previously President of the Dutch landscape and gardening association Royal VHG (link*), also an ELCA member. Roozen is also actively committed to a "green transition", in landscaping companies, in education and training and in public debate. The focus here is on the beneficial aspects of greenery beyond the purely decorative. He is also particularly keen to establish political contacts with European institutions and relevant interest groups, bring together new national and associated ELCA members and build up an inspiring network within the ELCA Business Committee.