Below, you will find a selection of calls for applications that are currently open or will open soon.
Enabling Urban Transformation
NetZeroCities has launched the second edition of the Enabling City Transformation (ECT2) program, a 22-month initiative designed to support cities participating in the European Mission. Through a challenge-based approach, the program will enable cities to identify and address obstacles related to governance, financing, public policy, institutional capacity, and collaboration among stakeholders, while testing solutions and innovations that facilitate large-scale urban transformation. The call for applications will remain open until December 3, 2026.
More information: https://netzerocities.eu/enabling-city-transformation/
INNOVAE Program
The Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving (IDAE) has launched a new call for proposals with a budget of 115 million euros to support innovative projects in sustainable mobility, industrial energy efficiency, building retrofits, and the replacement of cooling systems. The application period will run from September 15 to November 18, 2026.
More information: https://www.idae.es/ayudas-y-financiacion/programa-innovae
NEB Facility
The New European Bauhaus (NEB) initiative continues to promote projects that integrate sustainability, inclusion, and aesthetic quality into the transformation of built environments. Through various calls for proposals funded by Horizon Europe, it offers opportunities to develop innovative solutions with both local and European impact.
More information: https://new-european-bauhaus.europa.eu/funding/currently-open-and-forthcoming-calls_en
DUT Call 2026: Driving Urban Transitions
The new call for proposals for the European Driving Urban Transitions (DUT) program is now open. The program is designed to fund transnational research and innovation projects that help cities move toward a climate-neutral and resilient future. The call has a budget of approximately 49 million euros and is structured around three areas: 15-Minute City, Circular Urban Economies, and Positive Energy Districts.
Projects will last three years and must include at least three partners from three different countries, one of which must be a municipality or local authority. Urban governments, universities and research centers, companies, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders involved in urban transformation are eligible to participate.
The call for proposals consists of two phases. The first phase, for the submission of preliminary proposals, will remain open until November 17, 2026. Selected projects may submit their full proposals during the second phase, scheduled to take place between February and April 15, 2027.
More information: https://dutpartnership.eu/calls/dut-call-2026
INTERREG Euro-MED – 8th Call for Projects
On September 22, an information session was held for the 8th call for thematic projects under Interreg Euro-MED, during which the call’s objectives, eligibility requirements, and key aspects of the application process were presented.
The call for proposals will open on October 1, 2026, and remain open until November 13, with an approximate budget of 20 million euros to select around 10 thematic projects. Under the “Advancing Territorial Resilience” framework, it will fund projects related to three areas: green territories, a sustainable and innovative economy, and natural heritage. Proposals must be practical in nature, results-oriented, and focused on implementing pilot initiatives in the field.
Full article: Call 8 – Thematic Projects – Interreg Euro-MED Program
Call for Climate Shelters
The Biodiversity Foundation has opened a call for grant applications, which will remain open until October 15, 2026, with a total budget of 10 million euros, to promote the adaptation of indoor spaces as climate shelters and their incorporation into the Climate Shelter Network, with the goal of increasing the regions’ capacity to adapt to extreme temperatures.
The grants are organized into three areas of focus: the adaptation of facilities as individual climate shelters, with a maximum grant of 50,000 euros per project; the creation of networks of climate shelters, with up to 300,000 euros per project; and the adaptation of public schools as climate shelters, with a maximum grant of 250,000 euros per project.
More information: https://fundacion-biodiversidad.es/otras_convocatorias/convocatoria-de-refugios-climaticos/
Fall 2026 Call for Proposals: Call for Peer Reviews
The European Urban Initiative (EUI) is opening a new call for Peer Reviews from October 1 to November 12, 2026, aimed at supporting European cities in improving the design, implementation, and monitoring of their Sustainable Urban Development Strategies through learning and the exchange of experiences among cities.
Cities can participate as a “city under review,” receiving guidance and recommendations on how to address specific challenges in their strategy, or as a “peer reviewer,” sharing their experience and best practices. The activities are funded by the EUI, and the selected meetings will take place between March and July 2027.
Full article: www.urban-initiative.eu/capacity-building/peer-reviews/call-autumn2026
Cascade Funding HUB
Looking for more opportunities? The Cascade Funding HUB portal brings together numerous open European calls for proposals in areas such as innovation, sustainability, climate, digitalization, and the circular economy, and serves as a useful tool for identifying new funding opportunities.
More information: https://cascadefunding.eu/open-calls/