NetZeroCities, project in which ERRIN is a partner, is launching a groundbreaking programme that tests new approaches to reaching climate neutrality goals across cities in Europe. This Pilot Cities Programme is part of the EU Mission for 100 climate-neutral and smart cities (“EU Cities Mission”), providing €32 million in grants and hands-on support to cities. The call opens on September 5 and invites applications from all cities that are committing to the objectives of the EU Cities Mission located in EU Member States and Associated Countries.

The Pilot Cities Programme will help cities as they test out locally tailored actions towards a climate transition. Selected cities will be provided with grants funded under Horizon 2020, the European Commission's 2014-2020 Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (R&I). Cities will receive such support in the amounts of € 0.5 million, € 1 million, or € 1.5 million in order to deploy and scale up R&I and systemic solutions.

The NetZeroCities Consortium and dedicated online Platform will also provide expertise and support services to the selected Pilot Cities and help them as they take an inclusive, systems-wide approach to climate neutrality. Cities’ piloting activities will be diverse; consisting of social, cultural, technological, nature-based, regulatory, and financial innovations, as well as new approaches to business and governance.

Applicants’ proposed activities will be considered, as well as how they interact with the various urban systems relevant to that city, including: mobility, energy systems and built environment, material and resource flows, health and well-being, natural areas, cultural, social, financial and institutional systems, and accessible public spaces. Further details regarding eligibility are available in the Call Guidelines.

These piloting activities will turn cities into test beds for climate neutrality, leading the way for other communities to take action. Collective learning will be a central part of the Pilot Cities Programme, which will promote exchange among the cities at every step of the process. From there, the solutions will be shared even more broadly, as part of a twinning programme that will link each Pilot City with two to three other cities across Europe. To scale up these initial actions, the NetZeroCities Platform will also provide support in securing funding and financing for further implementation or replication.

More information is available in the Call Guidelines and Guidebook.