HORIZON-MISS-2024-CIT: Urban Spaces and Climate Neutrality

The European Union has launched several funding opportunities under the Horizon Europe program aimed at supporting projects that transform urban spaces towards climate neutrality. These calls encourage the development of innovative solutions that integrate sustainability into urban and peri-urban areas. Below, we outline the key details of each funding call, organized by their respective codes.

Horizon Europe and Its Pillars

Horizon Europe is the EU’s main research and innovation program for the period 2021-2027. It focuses on three main pillars:

1. Excellent Science: Advancing scientific research and technological innovation.
2. Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness: Addressing major societal challenges like climate change and fostering industrial leadership.
3. Innovative Europe: Supporting market-driven innovation and the scaling of disruptive technologies.

The funding calls related to urban spaces and climate neutrality fall under the second pillar, which targets global challenges and enhances industrial competitiveness.

Key Funding Calls for Urban Climate Neutrality

Below are the main funding calls related to the transformation of urban spaces towards climate neutrality. The calls are ordered by their respective codes for easy reference.

HORIZON-MISS-2024-CIT-01-01: Rethinking Urban Spaces Towards Climate Neutrality

• Opening date: September 17, 2024
• Closing date: February 11, 2025
• Funding type: Horizon Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA)
• Budget: €45 million

Objective: This call focuses on the rethinking and redesign of urban public spaces to integrate smart mobility and energy solutions, ultimately achieving climate neutrality by 2030. Projects should develop and implement solutions that improve urban space connectivity, enhance public health through better air quality, and make more efficient use of urban spaces.

Key Outcomes:

• Implementation of smart urban design and infrastructure management.
• Improved public health and urban space connectivity.
• Enhanced urban mobility and energy system integration.

Eligible projects: Projects must include pilot demonstrations in at least three cities across different EU Member States or Associated Countries, including both urban and suburban areas.

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HORIZON-MISS-2024-CIT-01-02: Zero-Pollution Cities

• Opening date: September 17, 2024
• Closing date: February 11, 2025
• Funding type: Horizon Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA)
• Budget: €20 million

Objective: This call supports projects that develop methods for assessing and reducing exposure to air, water, soil, and noise pollution in urban areas. The aim is to deliver innovative local measures that contribute to the EU’s Zero Pollution Action Plan while also aligning with the mission for Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities.

Key Outcomes:

• Improved methods for assessing pollution and its health impacts.
• Better understanding of pollution sources and their reduction.
• Comparative analysis of successful pollution reduction strategies.

Eligible projects: Projects must address at least two areas such as health impact assessments, pollution exposure measurement, and dynamic pollution abatement strategies. Collaboration with at least two cities is required.

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HORIZON-MISS-2024-CIT-01-03: Mobility Management Plans and Behavioral Change

• Opening date: September 17, 2024
• Closing date: February 11, 2025
• Funding type: Horizon Coordination and Support Actions (HORIZON-CSA)
• Budget: €5 million

Objective: This call aims to promote sustainable urban mobility by encouraging the adoption of mobility management plans and influencing behavioral change. The focus is on shifting urban travel patterns towards low or zero-emission modes of transport.

Key Outcomes:

• Increased societal acceptance of sustainable mobility management schemes.
• Enhanced use of public transport, cycling, and walking.
• Promotion of electric vehicle smart charging and grid balancing.

Eligible projects: Projects should involve the co-design of mobility management schemes with key stakeholders such as schools, universities, hospitals, and private companies.

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HORIZON-MISS-2024-CIT-01-04: Integrated Peri-Urban Areas in the Transition Towards Climate Neutrality

• Opening date: September 17, 2024
• Closing date: February 11, 2025
• Funding type: Horizon Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA)
• Budget: €28 million

Objective: This call focuses on integrating peri-urban areas into the climate neutrality transition by addressing challenges in mobility, energy, industry, and governance. The goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the livability of peri-urban areas.

Key Outcomes:

• Increased accessibility and connectivity through sustainable transport solutions.
• Development of decarbonized energy grids and local energy communities.
• Reduction of industrial emissions and enhanced energy efficiency.

Eligible projects: Proposals must demonstrate scalable solutions in real-life settings, including pilot demonstrations in at least three peri-urban areas across different EU Member States or Associated Countries.

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Eligibility and Participation

These calls are open to a variety of participants, including:

• Technology companies developing innovative solutions in urban mobility, energy, and environmental management.
• Local and regional authorities implementing sustainable urban development projects.
• Research institutions offering expertise in urban planning, pollution reduction, and behavioral change.
• Public and private organizations seeking to contribute to the transition towards climate neutrality.

Conclusion

The EU funding calls for 2024 provide a significant opportunity to transform urban spaces towards climate neutrality. These initiatives not only support technological and policy innovation but also promote collaboration among diverse stakeholders to achieve lasting environmental impacts. Organizations interested in these calls should prepare to submit proposals that align with the technical and social objectives of the Horizon Europe program.