The European City Facility has launched the last call for applications for financing clean energy actions

photo: Matei Pruteanu

75 local governments from the EU, Ukraine, and Iceland have the opportunity to receive grants up to 60 000 EUR each to support clean energy and energy efficiency projects and/or develop investment concepts to support their sustainable energy and climate plans. The competition is funded by the European Union's LIFE program.

The deadline for applications is March 15, 2024 (17:00 CET).

How to apply

The application process is streamlined and similar to previous calls. Applicants are required to demonstrate political support, an ambition for investment size, realistic projections of energy-related impacts, and plans for governance and stakeholder engagement. These criteria are in line with those generally expected for accessing public or private funds.

The European City Facility also offers extensive support through a National Support system, available in the eligible countries. This includes informational sessions, hands-on guidance, and feedback in local languages.

In addition to funding, successful applicants will receive capacity building, matchmaking services, and access to specialised financing tools from the European City Facility. These are all aimed at bringing project ideas closer to realisation through either private or public funding sources.

The website also includes the official Call Document and a dedicated Helpdesk for any interested applicants.

Eligibility

The EUCF is open to all municipalities/local authorities, their groupings, and local public entities aggregating municipalities/local authorities from the 27 EU Member States, Iceland and Ukraine. Applicants are required to have a climate and/or energy plan. This includes SECAPs (Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans), developed within the Covenant of Mayors initiative, or other climate and/or energy plans with mitigation targets.

Moreover, applicants have to demonstrate political commitment to the development of the Investment Concept through a letter of support, signed by the Mayor or other relevant political representative. The applicant must commit to the EUCF monitoring period of two years.

A beneficiary of previous calls of European City Facility cannot be funded again. 

You can check if your community meets the criteria by following the link.