Funding once again emerged as one of the major cross-cutting challenges of the meeting. Beyond the need for sufficient resources, the discussions highlighted the importance of simplifying access to grants, mobilizing private investment, and designing financial mechanisms that enable the scaling up of projects related to rehabilitation, climate adaptation, sustainable mobility, and urban innovation.
Below is a summary of some of the main programs, funds, and initiatives mentioned during the various sessions. Links to other initiatives that may be of interest are also included.
Opening Discussion: Cities and Regions in Transition
Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028–2034: The European Union’s future budget for the period 2028–2034, currently under negotiation.
🔗 European Commission dedicated page: “EU Budget”
European Competitiveness Fund: A new fund proposed by the European Commission to boost competitiveness, innovation, and technology deployment. Proposed budget of 451,000 million euros, combining grants, loans, and other financial instruments.
🔗 European Commission dedicated page: “European Competitiveness Fund”
Calls for Proposals from Cluster 4: Digital, Industry, and Space: As outlined in the Horizon Europe plan, the proposed investments in Cluster 4 aim to foster a competitive, digital, low-carbon, and circular industry.
🔗 Cluster 4: Policy, Strategy, Implementation, and Work Programs
Public-Private Investment Vehicle: The Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities (MICIU) is developing a tool designed to mobilize public and private investment for urban transformation and innovation projects.
Knowledge Transfer Programs for Public Policy: Calls for proposals and grants aimed at bridging the gap between scientific research and public decision-making.
🔗 MICIU Website: Knowledge Transfer
The Future of EU Funding (ERRIN)
National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPP): New framework for European cohesion policy for the period 2028–2034.
Horizon Europe: Europe's leading research and innovation program, with a projected budget of 175,000 million euros.
🔗 European Commission website: Horizon Europe
EU Facility: A new European instrument designed to respond flexibly to crises and emergencies.
INTERREG: A European territorial cooperation program that will continue into the next financial period.
Accelerating Renovation: Energy Efficiency in the Decisive Phase Leading Up to 2030
Social Climate Plan: co-financed by the European Union’s Social Climate Fund, it will mobilize investments from 2026 to 2032 for the energy retrofitting of buildings, the promotion of sustainable mobility, and electrification. The deadline for submitting comments as part of the public consultation process has now passed.
🔗 Proposed Social Plan for Climate Action.pdf
🔗 Public Hearing and Information Session on the Draft Social Climate Plan
Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan (PRTR): A framework that has funded a large portion of recent investments in energy retrofits.
🔗 Calls for Proposals | Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan, Government of Spain.
INNOVAE Program (IDAE): An incentive program for unique, innovative energy-saving and energy-efficiency projects. It establishes a grant program aimed at incentivizing unique, innovative energy-saving and energy-efficiency projects. The first call for proposals has a budget of 115M€, funded by the National Energy Efficiency Fund.
Applications may be submitted from September 15, 2026, through November 18, 2026.
🔗 More information: INNOVAE Program | Idae
Energy Retrofit Program for the Tertiary Sector: Grants aimed at buildings used for administrative, healthcare, commercial, public residential, educational, cultural, restaurant, transportation, and sports purposes, among others. This program is coordinated by the IDAE, and each Autonomous Community must approve its own calls for applications.
🔗 Search for calls for applications by autonomous community: Call for Applications from the Autonomous Communities. PREE Tertiary | Idae
🔗 Newsletter on Energy Efficiency Grants: Energy Grants Bulletin | Idae
Urban Reconstruction and Climate Resilience
Next Generation EU / PRTR: Funding used for urban regeneration projects and the rehabilitation of vulnerable neighborhoods.
🔗 Calls for Proposals | Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan, Government of Spain.
Comprehensive Regeneration Program for Vulnerable Neighborhoods (Basque Government): An urban regeneration program financed through its own funds and resources from the PRTR.
Catalonia Climate Fund: A fund financed through a tax on CO₂ emissions from vehicles.
LIFE Program: The main European financial instrument for environmental and climate action projects.
🔗 LIFE Program Calls for Proposals
European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF): European mechanisms designed to support regions affected by disasters and extreme events.
Mobility as the backbone of the territorial model
INNOVAE Program (IDAE): An incentive program for unique, innovative projects in various categories, including sustainable mobility. It establishes a grant program aimed at promoting initiatives that reduce travel or improve energy efficiency in transportation.
Applications may be submitted from September 15, 2026, through November 18, 2026.
🔗 More information: INNOVAE Program | Idae
🔗 INNOVAE Sustainable Mobility | Idae
🔗 Regulatory Provisions Governing the Grant Provision 12282 of the Official State Gazette (BOE) No. 138 of 2026
National Program for Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (PMUS): A strategic tool that facilitates technical support, training, coordination, and oversight of the PMUS.
🔗 National PMUS Program (PN-PMUS) | Ministry of Transportation and Sustainable Mobility
Public-private partnership models: for example, for the electrification of city buses, charging infrastructure, fleet modernization, or public procurement based on environmental criteria.
Mobility Lab Vitoria-Gasteiz: An environment for testing and validating new mobility solutions.
🔗 https://mobilitylabvitoria.com
Businesses for Sustainable Mobility (EMS): A platform for sharing experiences and best practices.
🔗 Companies for Sustainable Mobility
🔗 Collaboration with the Toolbox ZBE: a repository of case studies for cities.