Neighbouring municipalities Kvilda (Czechia) & Mauth (Germany) awarded as new model municipalities

The European Green Belt welcomed a new model municipality in January 2026! For the first time, the award goes to two municipalities at once for their outstanding transboundary commitment.

Mayors Heiner Kilger (Mauth) and Radek Thér (Kvilda) received the award certificates from Hubert Weiger (BUND). © BUND
Iron Curtain memorial in the former border village Bučina/Buchwald (Kvilda). © BUND
Opening of bilingual (German/Czech) visitors trail in restored mire area “Mauthler Filz” in summer 2025 with the Bavarian Minister for agriculture and tourism, Michaela Kaniber, chairman of BUND Bavaria, Richard Mergner and mayor of Mauth, Heiner Kilger. © BUND

Model municipalities play a vital role in bringing the vision of the European Green Belt to life. The European Green Belt Association regularly celebrates this dedication by honoring outstanding communities with the title “Model Municipality of the European Green Belt.” This distinction recognizes local governments that show exceptional commitment to protecting, promoting, and sustainably developing the European Green Belt, based on clearly defined selection criteria.

 

In January 2026, the neighbouring municipalities of Kvilda (Czechia) and Mauth (Germany), located along the European Green Belt in the Šumava and Bavarian Forest National Park region, have both been awarded as model municipalities of the European Green Belt, honouring their joint transboundary commitment. On Sunday, 11 January 2026, during the New Year's reception of municipality of Mauth, Prof. Hubert Weiger, representative of the regional coordinator BUND (Friends of the Earth Germany), presented the award certificates to the mayors Dr Radek Thér (Kvilda) and Heiner Kilger (Mauth). Around 120 people from the region attended the event. 

 

Among other activities, both municipalities have e.g. made land available for the restoration of mires and are actively promoting a culture of remembrance. Radek Thér emphasised: "Due to its location on the Iron Curtain, the district of Bučina was razed to the ground by the communist border regime in 1956 because it was located in the border zone. Today, Bučina is home to a well-known memorial site with relics from the Iron Curtain and Cold War era." Vice versa, the municipality of Mauth together with BUND erected a bilingual information stele on the nature, culture and history of the border area. 

 

Regular joint activities strengthen exchange; the communities are implementing cross-border cycling and hiking trails. In his laudatory speech, Hubert Weiger emphasised: ‘Mauth and Kvilda are committed to a vibrant culture of cooperation, helping to preserve the region's natural wealth and thus also creating a sustainable basis for gentle tourism and regional development along the European Green Belt.’ 

 

You can have a short look at the awarding ceremony here.

Get an impression of the region in which the municipalities of Mauth and Kvilda are located through this 360°-tour along the European Green Belt.

 

 

For more information, please contact: 

Melanie Kreutz, National BUND Competence Centre Green Belt; E-Mail: melanie.kreutz(at)bund-naturschutz.de, Phone: +49 911 5752940