Are you a municipality or local authority and currently preparing climate or energy action plans? Then perhaps you can apply for a 60,000 euro grant from the European City Facility (EUCF). The fast-approaching sixth round is open for applications from 15 January 2024 to 15 March 2024. The grants will enable local municipalities to investigate investment concepts and develop them into mature business and funding plans.
Municipal climate and energy plans
Municipalities and local authorities play a key role in Europe’s energy transition. They often act as drivers of large sustainable energy investment programmes, in cleverly ‘bundling’ smaller projects, and in mobilising the necessary funding. One of the obstacles here, often difficult to overcome by many municipalities, are financial constraints and a lack of knowledge and capacity.
Helping hand with 60,000 euro lumpsum!
The European City Facility can offer a helping hand. Municipalities can apply for a 60,000 euro grant from the EUCF to research and develop relevant investment concepts into a fully-fledged ‘business and financing plan’. The grant is a fixed amount (lump sum) that municipalities can use for e.g. carrying out a feasibility study, risk analysis, market research, stakeholder analysis, legal, economic or financial analyses and the coordination and organisation activities. Please note: the costs of the final energy investments themselves are not covered by the grant!
Purpose of the EUCF
The EUCF aims to play a stimulating role in building a large potential for sustainable energy investment projects among municipalities and local authorities in Europe. By providing expertise, capacity and facilitating access to projects and funding sources, it is easier for small and medium-sized municipalities to participate in this transition. The aim is thus to accelerate the development and eventual implementation of sustainable energy investment projects.
Application process and dates
The sixth EUCF call round is open for applications from 15 January 2024 to 15 March 2024 (17:00 CET). Municipalities and local authorities in all 27 EU Member States, plus Iceland and Ukraine, can apply for this grant. Applications by associations of municipalities and local authorities are encouraged. The application process consists of two steps: first an online test to determine eligibility (this includes asking about the presence of a ‘Sustainable Energy and Climate Plan’ or similar), followed by the actual application.
Proposals submitted will then be compared with each other, with only the best projects receiving funding. EGEN has a lot of expertise in this field. Among other things, we were involved in the development of the European ‘Circular City Funding Guide‘. If required, we can provide information on the assessment criteria, give tips for applicants (e.g. on optimising the points score and the chances of success of a proposal) and provide support with the actual application.
Interested? How can we help?
As a municipality, are you developing energy and/or climate plans and looking for (additional) sources of funding? Or are you facing obstacles in developing concepts into concrete plans? Our experts will be happy to assist you. Sent us your message with the contact form below.
