EU missions : 100 climate-neutral and smart cities.
Date: 2021-11-26
Institutions: Directorate-General for Research and Innovation
Subjects: EU energy policy, EU research policy, digital technology, innovation, regional and local authorities, smart city

25 November 2021

What is in it for my city and  
how can we become a part of it?

OBJECTIVES 

   Deliver at least 100 climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030. 

   Ensure that these cities act as experimentation and innovation hubs to enable  
all European cities to follow suit by 2050.

BENEFITS FOR 
YOUR CITY

   Tailor-made advice and assistance from the Mission Platform1

   Unlocking additional funding and financing opportunities through a Mission 
label

   Research & innovation: funding opportunities for cities to be part of large 
innovation actions, pilot projects and demonstrations

   Support through a national coordination network

   Networking opportunities, learning and exchange of experiences among cities

   Support with involving citizens in decision-making

   High visibility – raising political profile and attractiveness for investment and 
skilled workers

KEY SECTORS 
FOR REDUCING 
EMISSIONS1

The mission will support different sectors to work together on smart, digital and 
other types of solutions to help achieve climate neutrality. Key sectors include: 

   Stationary energy (buildings, equipment, facilities) , energy production and 
distribution

   Transport

   Waste management

   Industrial processes and product use

   Agriculture, forestry and other land use

1   In the first phase of the implementation of the Cities 
Mission, the Mission Platform is being established  
and run by the NetZeroCities consortium.

 EU MISSIONS100 CLIMATE-NEUTRAL AND SMART CITIESWHAT ARE WE 
LOOKING FOR? 

   Cities with at least 50 000 inhabitants. Large cities are particularly encouraged 
to participate2 

   High climate neutrality ambition

   Promoting diversity and inclusiveness of citizens and other stakeholders

   Cities with all kinds of climate-neutrality starting points are encouraged to join 
the Mission

2 For countries with five or fewer cities above 100 000 population, a lower threshold of 10 000 inhabitants will apply.

   Participate in the Call for Expression of Interest: Register.

   Read the Info Kit and FAQ

HOW CAN 
YOUR CITY 
PARTICIPATE?

TIMELINE

Publication of 
the call for EOI 
addressed to cities 
(questionnaire)

Selection of 
participating cities

October 2021

November 2021

31 January 2022

March 2022

Mid-2022

Publication of 
comprehensive  
info kit for cities

Call closes

Mission platform 
works with the first 
cities to develop 
climate city 
contracts

Join us in the Cities Mission to make 
European cities climate-neutral! 

#EUMissions 

#HorizonEU 

#MissionCities

Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2021

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PDF

ISBN 978-92-76-43789-5

doi:10.2777/197915   

KI-01-21-457-EN-N