Introduction to the Project

NetZeroCities supports the delivery of the Horizon Europe Mission on 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030 and its ambition to achieve climate neutrality in Europe by 2050. Cities have been assigned the ambitious task to lead the transition to net zero emissions, and the NetZeroCities project is designed to help cities overcome the structural, institutional and cultural barriers by providing innovative support and solutions that will help them achieve their climate neutrality goals in a socially-inclusive way. The project builds on the expertise of its 33 partners, representing a wide range of actors from 13 countries.

Project Objectives

NetZeroCities works as a service-oriented one-stop-shop Mission Platform supported by world-class practitioners. It helps European cities by providing them with the support and solutions they need to achieve their net zero goal in a socially inclusive way.

New and existing tools, resources, information and expertise are developed and promoted into the platform, which is accessible to all cities through an online portal. The project designs and provides knowledge and services related to systemic change, citizen engagement and democratic governance, capital and financial structuring, and social innovation to support cities that are part of the Mission. In addition, NetZeroCities supports a series of Pilots to help drive rapid learning about how to achieve climate neutrality at city scale, and runs a Twinning programme to enable peer-learning between cities.

 

ERRIN's Role

ERRIN is supporting and contributing to several key project tasks and activities within the NetZeroCities project. ERRIN is leading the work on establishing strategic partnerships between NetZeroCities and existing initiatives, projects and other EU Missions. This includes a comprehensive mapping of initiatives and projects at European level and aligning them with cities’ partnership needs. ERRIN is also supporting NetZeroCities’ efforts on policy innovation, which is mission-driven and focused on accelerating cities’ transition pathways. In addition to partnership and policy development, ERRIN is supporting the Climate City Contract (CCCs) process. To enhance this work, ERRIN has brought on board two Climate Neutral Cities Advisors who collaborate closely with cities and provide assistance throughout the CCC process. ERRIN is also leading some of the project’s work around multi-level governance in the Cities Mission. This work includes mapping national and regional support structures for the Mission, analysing innovative governance instruments and approaches, and facilitating dialogues and collaboration between the different levels of government across European countries. Furthermore, ERRIN actively contributes to the NetZeroCities project’s efforts in citizen and stakeholder engagement, providing cities with tools to support them in bringing the different actors on board to achieve the Mission goals.

  • Heidi Johansson
  • Project Manager
  • Ryan Titley
  • Director of Projects
  • Pirita Lindholm
  • Director
  • Gianpiero Petruzziello
  • Project and Communications Officer
  • Julie Delcroix
  • Project and Policy Manager
  • Silvia Ghiretti
  • EU Missions and Policy Officer
  • Joanna Komperda
  • Project and Policy Manager

Benefit & Links

ERRIN’s work on the Mission on Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities has over the past years been driven by the Smart Cities Working Group, with the involvement and input from a range of members from other Working Groups. ERRIN is driving its work in the NetZeroCities project through the Smart Cities WG by providing first-hand information to ERRIN members on the opportunities presented by the project and using the Working Group to feed back on activities in the project. The project provides an opportunity for ERRIN to work closely with its members and support them in developing and implementing their Climate City Contracts – both the members that are part of 112 selected Mission Cities as well as the wider membership.

Latest Updates

Smart Tourism
  • By Teresa Vio

European Commission launches the European Capital and Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism 2024 competitions

The European Commission, DG GROW, has announced the launch of two competitions for cities and destinations with outstanding achievements in the field of tourism: European Capital of Smart Tourism and European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism.

NZC Twin Call
  • By Heidi Johansson

NetZeroCities Call for Twin Cities is now open

The NetZeroCities project, in which ERRIN is a partner, has opened the Call for Twin Cities. The Twinning programme is a tailored learning programme for knowledge sharing and transfer of good practices between the upcoming selected Twin Cities and the cities that were selected to join the NetZeroCities’ Pilot Cities Programme in March 2023. The deadline for applications to become a Twin City is 30 June 2023.

NetZeroCities Call for Twin Cities opening on 3 May
  • By Lucy Hammond

NetZeroCities Call for Twin Cities opening on 3 May

On 3 May 2023, NetZeroCities, in which ERRIN is a partner, will launch a Call for Twin Cities. This Twinning programme is a tailored learning programme for knowledge sharing and transfer of good practices between European cities, selected as Twins, and the 53 cities that were selected to join the NetZeroCities’ Pilot Cities Programme in March 2023. Applications will be accepted from 3 May until 30 June 23:59 CEST.

53 Cities selected to join the NetZeroCities Pilot Cities Programme
  • By Gianpiero Petruzziello

53 Cities selected to join the NetZeroCities Pilot Cities Programme

NetZeroCities project, in which ERRIN is a partner, announced today the 53 selected cities for the NetZeroCities Pilot Cities Programme. Pilot Cities will be supported by €32 million in grants from the NetZeroCities project to experiment with new ways to rapidly decarbonise over the course of a two-year programme.

DS4SSCC
  • By Rodolphe Doité

Have your say - shape the future Data Space for Smart and Sustainable Cities and Communities

You can answer an online survey until 15 February to help the DS4SSCC Project in shaping the governance and technical building blocks for the creation of a European Data Space.

NetZeroCities - Call for Pilot Cities - Deadline Extension
  • By Gianpiero Petruzziello

NetZeroCities - Call for Pilot Cities - Deadline Extension

NetZeroCities, project in which ERRIN is a partner, opened a Call for Pilot Cities on 5 September 2022. The Call was initially set to close on 4 November. However due to the massive interest from cities and the complexity of submitting an application, the decision has been made to extend the deadline to 15 November at 12:00 noon CET.