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

September 23, 2025 (single-stage full proposal)

~€7 million total topic budget; typical EU contribution per project up to €1.75 million; 95% funding rate.

Supports the creation and expansion of tailored support services to help energy communities in Europe develop and thrive, focusing on direct technical assistance, collaboration, and local capacity building.

--- ## Description This grant aims to establish or expand support services that facilitate the creation and growth of energy communities across Europe. Recognizing energy communities as key contributors to the EU's 2030 and 2050 energy and climate goals, the initiative supports local actors—including governments, agencies, and umbrella organizations—in providing direct, personalized technical assistance throughout the various phases of community energy project development. The focus is on supporting renewable and citizen energy communities, addressing local and regional challenges, and fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and capacity building among stakeholders. Proposals should complement existing frameworks and networks, leverage resources to maximize impact, and avoid duplication. --- ## Due Dates - September 23, 2025: Submission deadline (single-stage full proposal), 17:00 Brussels time (CEST) --- ## Funding Amount - Total indicative budget for this topic: **€7 million** - The Commission considers that proposals requesting an EU contribution of up to **€1.75 million** would allow the objectives to be addressed appropriately, but proposals requesting other amounts are not excluded. - **Funding rate:** Up to 95% of eligible costs. --- ## Eligibility - **Type of applicants:** Proposals must be submitted by at least **three applicants (beneficiaries, not affiliated entities) from three different eligible countries**. - **Eligible entities:** Public or private legal entities established in the EU or in countries associated with the LIFE Programme. International organizations and entities created under Union law are also eligible. Natural persons are not eligible. - **Eligible countries:** EU Member States, and countries associated with the LIFE Programme (see [list of eligible countries](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/life/guidance/list-3rd-country-participation_life_en.pdf)). - **Geographic scope:** Projects must target eligible countries; priority is given to geographic areas where energy communities are less developed or to activities with fewer existing community experiences. --- ## Application Process - **Submission:** Applications must be submitted electronically via the [EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/LIFE-2025-CET-ENERCOM). - **Format:** Single-stage full proposal. - **Templates and guidance:** - [Call document](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](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/life/temp-form/af/af_life-sap-oag_en.pdf) - [Detailed budget table](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/life/temp-form/af/detailed-budget-table_life_en.xlsx) - **Consortium requirements:** At least three independent legal entities from three different eligible countries. - **Evaluation:** Proposals will be evaluated based on relevance, impact, quality, and implementation, as outlined in the call document. --- ## Additional Information - **Scope of activities:** Establishing or expanding support services for energy communities, including direct technical assistance, business model definition, legal advice, access to finance, and operational support. Proposals focusing on mutualization of services among umbrella organizations or groupings of energy communities are encouraged. - **Targeted energy communities:** Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) and/or Citizen Energy Communities (CECs) as per relevant EU directives. - **Complementarity:** Proposals must complement existing national enabling frameworks and local support for energy communities and leverage existing resources and networks (e.g., European Energy Communities Facility, Citizen Energy Advisory Hub). - **Capacity building:** Adequate training and capacity building for staff delivering the services is required. - **Sustainability:** Proposals must include a credible plan to ensure the continuity of support services beyond the project’s lifetime. - **Restrictions:** Projects should not focus mainly on generic information provision or online platforms with limited direct human interaction. New tool development is discouraged unless clear added value is demonstrated. --- ## External Links - [EU Funding & Tenders Portal – LIFE-2025-CET-ENERCOM Topic Details](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/LIFE-2025-CET-ENERCOM) - [LIFE Programme – Support for Applicants](https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/programmes/life/life-support-applicants_en#frequently-asked-questions) - [LIFE 2025 CET Info Day – ENERCOM Presentation](https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/document/download/b8f49b8f-d6df-4d3c-b935-5cf62f4c86b0_en?filename=LIFE-2025-CET-ENERCOM.pdf) - [Frequently Asked Questions (LIFE 2025 CET)](https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/document/download/2400db92-5bf4-4dbe-b524-3049bc5f0c04_en?filename=250717_LIFE_2025_CET_FAQs_published.pdf) - [National Contact Points for LIFE](https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/life/life-european-countries_en) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact | |------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General enquiries | [European Commission Contact](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) | | IT helpdesk (submission portal) | [IT Helpdesk Contact Form](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/helpdesks/contact-form) | | National Contact Points (NCPs) | [List of NCPs](https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/life/life-european-countries_en) | | Phone (European Commission) | +32 2 299 11 11 | ---

Support services for energy communities

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