Introduction to the project
CapaCITIES 2.0 is a key initiative designed to nurture the relationships of national and regional authorities with cities to create the right conditions to achieve climate neutrality, in line with the EU Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission. Building on the first phase of CapaCITIES, the project expands and advances the development of national platforms and strengthens multi-level governance across Europe. It fosters national change processes, promotes transnational learning and aligns efforts across climate-neutral city initiatives. Through targeted support, it aims to improve institutional capacity, address regulatory and funding barriers and promote synergies with R&I communities, fostering key partnerships.
The project runs from 2025 to 2027.
Project in action
CapaCITIES 2.0 facilitates the creation of new national platforms and the growth of the existing ones national platforms, with relevant networks, to accelerate cities’ transition toward climate neutrality. It provides tailored support for public authorities to improve regulatory frameworks, streamline funding and enhance governance. Through transnational learning spaces, the project builds capacity, shares best practices and enables alignment with existing European and international initiatives. It strengthens multi-level governance by identifying region-specific enabling conditions and acting towards removing barriers. The expected outcomes include more effective national support structures and increased institutional readiness to drive urban climate actions.
ERRIN's role
Uniquely placed in the governance ecosystem, ERRIN co-leads efforts to identify and boost regional-level enabling conditions, evaluating how helping regions better support cities’ climate neutrality goals. ERRIN also leads the organisation of joint events connecting EU platforms and international networks, fostering alignment with the Cities Mission. Additionally, ERRIN supports transnational learning activities and policy-related tasks, contributing to improved governance structures and collaboration across Europe.
Benefit for members and Links with ERRIN’s Working Groups and priorities
The Smart Cities Working Group has led ERRIN’s efforts on the EU Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission over the past years. Through its transnational exchanges and joint activities with key European and international stakeholders, the project will offer valuable learning and networking opportunities to ERRIN members. CapaCITIES 2.0 will also allow ERRIN to join forces and efforts with the NetZeroCities project, in which ERRIN is a partner.
Through this new project, ERRIN will continue its efforts to strengthen the role of regions in the EU Missions, support better policy coordination across governance levels, as well as build stronger regional R&I ecosystems by enhancing collaboration among local stakeholders and interregional peer learning. This new project will connect ERRIN, and its members, to 71 project partners across 27 countries, seeking new alliances for advocating for the place-based perspective in research and innovation.
Latest Updates
- By Martina Campajola
Strong regions, strong Europe: ERRIN at the European Week of Regions and Cities 2026
ERRIN spent the European Week of Regions and Cities moderating sessions, following debates and meeting more than a dozen member delegations. Here is a selection of the moments closest to our priorities, from the EU Missions and the next MFF to talent, culture and competitiveness.
- By Silvia Ghiretti
The European Commission publishes the EU Missions mid-term assessment
On 14 September, the European Commission published its mid-term assessment of the EU Missions, highlighting progress across all five Missions and recognising the mission-oriented approach as an effective model for addressing complex societal challenges. For ERRIN, the assessment reinforces the case for maintaining and strengthening the Missions in the next EU long-term budget, while ensuring that the next phase is better equipped to translate research and innovation into deployment, scale-up and territorial impact.
- By Silvia Ghiretti
Survey: Share your views on the role of regions in climate mitigation and adaptation
ERRIN members are invited to contribute to a survey exploring the role of regional and local authorities in delivering climate neutrality and addressing climate change across Europe.
- By Marco Grippa
NetZeroCities opportunity: Scaling climate-neutral solutions by Enabling City Transformation call
Within NetZeroCities project, Enabling City Transformation Programme is a 22‑month programme designed to help Mission Cities unlock city-wide climate-neutral transformation by addressing systemic barriers slowing progress towards climate neutrality. Through a challenge‑based approach, Mission Cities will address critical systemic barriers and test enabling innovations that strengthen the conditions needed for city‑wide transformation.
- By Zoé Thomazeau
Discover ERRIN's autumn 2026 activities
ERRIN’s revised Annual Plans for 2026 are now available, outlining the upcoming activities, priorities and opportunities for engagement across ERRIN’s Working Groups for the remainder of the year. Each year, ERRIN’s member-led Working Groups develop Annual Plans that set out their strategic priorities, planned activities and key objectives. Shaped by members’ feedback and expertise, these plans ensure that ERRIN’s work remains closely connected to the needs and priorities of its regional and local innovation ecosystems.
- By Marco Grippa
2026 Cities Mission Conference: Delivering Europe’s Urban Climate Transition
Last week, ERRIN participated in key discussions in Turin, shaping the future of Europe’s climate-neutral and competitive urban transition, through 2 pivotal meetings: CapaCITIES 2.0 Annual Consortium Meeting and the NetZeroCities Mission Conference 2026.