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European cities set for net zero funding boost
25 January 2024
by Christopher Carey
A further 26 European cities are set to join the EU’s Pilot Cities programme and will receive funding of up to €600,000 (US$653,000) to help reach their net zero goals.
The Pilot Cities programme is one element of NetZeroCities – the support platform for the 112 cities that have committed to reach climate neutrality by 2030 as part of the EU Cities Mission.
The grants will support cities’ exploratory activities across a broad range of themes, from the electrification of construction and energy transition options to new methods of citizen participation in climate action and better systems of governance.
Pilot cities will also receive direct support from city experts and have opportunities to learn from other cities over the course of the two-year programme.
“Cities are at the forefront of climate action and key to their success is the opportunity for exploration and experimentation, sharing knowledge, and scaling up what works,” said Thomas Osdoba, NetZeroCities Programme Director.
“The Pilot Cities programme offers cities concrete support to do exactly that and I wish them great success with their efforts.”
The latest cities joining the programme are: Aarhus, Copenhagen (Denmark); Bucharest (Romania); Eilat (Israel); Espoo, Lappeenranta (Finland); Gävle, Helsingborg, Stockholm, Lund (Sweden); Ioannina (Greece); Lyon, Marseille (France); Porto, Lisbon (Portugal); Riga (Latvia); Trondheim, Oslo (Norway); Zagreb (Croatia), Kosice, Bratislava (Slovakia); Pecs, Miskolc (Hungary); Klagenfurt (Austria); Gozo (Malta); and Vilnius (Lithuania).
Second cohort
The funding announcement marks the beginning of the second cohort of EU Mission Cities to join the Pilot Cities Programme, bringing the total number to 79.
“After a year of work on our Climate City Contract, we are very proud of this European recognition of the city of Marseille’s project,” said Benoît Payan, Mayor of Marseille.
“This support will give us additional resources to help the people of Marseille, in all neighbourhoods, to implement climate-friendly projects.
“The project will also structure the ecological contribution of local businesses by creating an associated observatory and also increasing the engineering support we can provide them.”
The programme will welcome a third and final cohort of cities in September 2024, with applications currently open until 18 March. The chosen cities will be announced in May.
Image: febiyan-unsplash
