Reaching an impressive 297 applications from local governments and authorities, the 7th call of the European City Facility (EUCF) has set a record for cities seeking support to develop local investment plans for energy efficiency and clean energy.
The call, which closed on 18 December 2024, demonstrates the strong commitment of local authorities to advance in sustainable energy projects.
Applications were distributed across geographic regions: 101 from Southern Europe, 110 from Central and Eastern Europe, and 86 from the Nordic Countries and Western Europe. Of the 297 applicants, 71 will be selected, each receiving EUR 60,000 to develop their investment concepts.
In total, cities from all eligible countries (EU27, plus Iceland and Ukraine) applied for support, with the exception of Luxembourg and Malta. This occurred despite the restriction preventing previous beneficiaries from applying.
Elina Sergejeva, Coordinator of the European City Facility and Project Manager at Energy Cities, remarked:
“The record number of applications for the EUCF, for the second consecutive call, underscores local governments’ commitment to advancing Europe’s climate neutrality goals and their strong demand for support. EUCF grants empower cities to build capacity and achieve their plans, and this impact is increasingly recognised by local leaders across Europe.”
The EUCF grant does not fund direct implementation but supports accessing services and creating robust investment concepts for climate and energy actions.
Results of the 7th call are expected in March, with winning applicants listed on the EUCF website after agreements are finalised.
