Cities play a pivotal role in shaping a sustainable and resilient future. The European Commission’s calls for proposals present a golden opportunity for urban hubs such as those in cities participating in the Intelligent Cities Challenge (ICC) to spearhead transformative initiatives. With a staggering €4.8 billion earmarked for net-zero and innovative technologies under the Innovation Fund, this call is not just an opportunity - it's a catalyst for positive change. ICC cities are strongly encouraged to explore this call and to apply for its funding.
Cities, as epicentres of innovation, have a unique opportunity to lead sustainable development. The two calls offer financial means to support this development in line with the objectives of both the European Green Deal and the Net-Zero Industry Act. The calls would allow ICC cities to fund their Twin Transition. The calls seek to:
Accelerate decarbonisation efforts in various sectors
Foster the growth of clean tech manufacturing within urban landscapes
Propel advancements in maritime sustainability
Empower energy-intensive industries to transition towards net-zero practices.
Innovation Fund 2023 Call (IF23 Call)
The IF23 Call allocates €4 billion for projects spanning decarbonisation, clean tech manufacturing, maritime, and energy-intensive industries.
Open to small, medium, and large-scale projects, the application window extends until early April 2024, providing ample opportunity for diverse initiatives.
To gain insights and details, interested parties can register for the dedicated Info Day on 7 December 2023. This online session, hosted by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) and the European Commission's DG Climate Action, will offer guidance on the call's specifics and share valuable lessons learned from previous iterations.
Innovation Fund 2023 Auction (IF23 Auction)
The IF23 Auction, an innovative financing mechanism supporting renewable hydrogen production, marks a milestone as the first of its kind in Europe. With a substantial budget of €800 million available for project developers, this auction is a pivotal element of the EU Hydrogen Bank.
Interested parties can learn more by participating in the dedicated Info Day on 30 November 2023, organised by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) and the European Commission's DG Climate Action. Register now to gain insights on the IF23 Auction.
Bids for the auction, which funds renewable hydrogen producers in the European Economic Area (EEA), can be submitted until 8 February 2024.
More details on the two calls and registration are available on: Innovation Fund announces two upcoming calls for proposals (europa.eu).