[European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/index_en)

September 23, 2025 (single-stage)

Up to €15 million total; 95% funding rate; one grant expected

Supports European cities and municipalities in developing investment concepts for energy efficiency and renewables, providing financial aid and capacity building under the LIFE Clean Energy Transition programme.

Minimum 3 applicants from 3 different eligible countries; only one proposal will be selected.

--- ## Description This funding opportunity under the LIFE Clean Energy Transition sub-programme aims to establish a new European City Facility (EUCF). The facility is designed to help European cities, municipalities, or their groupings develop robust investment concepts that accelerate the energy transition, focusing on energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. The grant supports the transformation of local climate and energy strategies—such as Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans (SECAPs) or local heating and cooling plans—into mature, investment-ready concepts that can attract public and private financing. The facility will provide financial support (primarily through lump sum grants to cities and municipalities), capacity building, technical and legal guidance, and opportunities for best practice exchange. It also emphasizes monitoring, dissemination, and scaling up successful approaches across Europe. --- ## Due Dates - Opening date: April 24, 2025 - Submission deadline: September 23, 2025, 17:00 Brussels time - Single-stage application --- ## Funding Amount - Total indicative EU contribution: up to €15 million - Funding rate: 95% of eligible costs - The Commission expects to fund only one proposal under this call - 70–75% of the budget must be allocated as financial support to third parties (i.e., lump sum grants for cities/municipalities) --- ## Eligibility - Proposals must be submitted by consortia of at least 3 applicants (not affiliated entities) from 3 different eligible countries. - Eligible applicants: European cities, municipalities, or their groupings; organizations with expertise in municipal sustainable energy/climate planning and financial engineering. - Applicants must demonstrate: - Capacity to manage large-scale financial support schemes - Deep understanding of energy transition investment challenges - Strong outreach to a critical mass of cities/municipalities across Europe - Supported third parties (cities/municipalities) must show political commitment, existing planning processes, and significant potential for investment and energy savings. Refer to Section 6 of the [call document](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/life/wp-call/2025/call-fiche_life-2025-cet_en.pdf) for full eligibility details. --- ## Application Process - Single-stage submission through the [EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/LIFE-2025-CET-EUCF?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=13&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate). - Use the standard application form and follow instructions in the [Online Manual](https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/funding-tenders-opportunities/display/OM/Online+Manual). - Proposal must detail: - Mechanisms for financial support to third parties - Capacity building and best practice exchange plans - Monitoring, reporting, and dissemination strategy - Relevant indicators and expected impacts - Only one proposal will be selected for funding. --- ## Additional Information - The facility must coordinate with existing DG Energy initiatives such as the [Smart Cities Marketplace](https://smart-cities-marketplace.ec.europa.eu/) and the [Covenant of Mayors](https://eu-mayors.ec.europa.eu/en/home). - Proposals should include a clear outreach and inclusion strategy to ensure broad participation across Europe. - Frequently Asked Questions for this call are available [here](https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/document/download/1ba4023c-28e1-4376-a1f6-237380d481d2_en?filename=250604_LIFE_2025_CET_FAQs_published.pdf). --- ## External Links - [Call details & application portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/LIFE-2025-CET-EUCF?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=13&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) - [Call document (PDF)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/life/wp-call/2025/call-fiche_life-2025-cet_en.pdf) - [Standard application form (template)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/life/temp-form/af/af_life-sap-oag_en.pdf) - [Detailed budget table (template)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/life/temp-form/af/detailed-budget-table_life_en.xlsx) - [Online Manual for applicants](https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/funding-tenders-opportunities/display/OM/Online+Manual) - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/document/download/1ba4023c-28e1-4376-a1f6-237380d481d2_en?filename=250604_LIFE_2025_CET_FAQs_published.pdf) - [National Contact Points](http://cinea.ec.europa.eu/life/life-european-countries_en) --- ## Contact Information | Resource | Link/Contact | |-------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | European Commission | [Contact page](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) | | IT Helpdesk | [Portal support form](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/helpdesks/contact-form) | | National Contact Points | [Find your NCP](http://cinea.ec.europa.eu/life/life-european-countries_en) |

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