Programme Category
Programme Name
Programme Description
One of the main objectives of the European Urban Initiative (EUI), and especially its Innovative Actions Strand (EUI-IA), is to continue support initiated by the Urban Innovative Actions Initiative by providing urban authorities throughout Europe with space and resources to identify and experiment (via pilot projects) new innovative answers to the interconnected and complex local challenges related to sustainable urban development. Through the EUI-IA, urban authorities will have the possibility to test how new and unproven solutions work in practice and how they respond to the complexity of real life.
Call
Summary
EUI-IA calls for proposals are organised on topics defined by the European Commission, building on the New Leipzig Charter and on EC’s priorities presenting a cross-sectorial dimension, such as the green and digital transitions. For the present call, applicants can submit project proposals focussing on the New European Bauhaus (NEB). Specifically, the call will fund projects to deliver tangible, real-life examples of NEB interventions that fully integrate the three NEB core values of sustainability, inclusiveness and aesthetics to a maximum level of ambition according to the framework proposed in the NEB Compass.
Detailed Call Description
In general, the EUI-IA call for proposals will not be prescriptive with regard to the nature of expected proposals. However, cities are invited to consider the four following themes which have the greatest potential to generate innovative solutions, create a clear demonstration effect to inspire the use of Cohesion policy in urban areas, and/or could mobilise concerned funds for their uptake, in particular investments from the ERDF under the specific objectives listed in the ‘Cohesion policy targets’:
- Construction and renovation in a spirit of circularity and carbon neutrality;
- Preserving and transforming cultural heritage;
- Adapting and transforming buildings for affordable housing solutions;
- Regenerating urban spaces.
For a more detailed description of the four themes, please visit pages 11 and 12 of the Terms of Reference (the link can be found under the “More information” section of the present email).
In addition to the above and in order to raise the readability of EUI-IA projects with regard to Cohesion policy and facilitate their subsequent upscale and/or replication with ERDF funding, EUI-IA Calls for Proposals also specify the Cohesion policy specific objectives targeted by the call. For the present call, projects proposed for funding should demonstrate contribution to one of the following specific objectives of the 2021-2027 EU Cohesion policy (the one most relevant to the proposed solution):
- Specific objective 2.1 “Promoting energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions” (Greener Europe);
- Specific objective 2.6 “Promoting the transition to a circular and resource efficient economy” (Greener Europe);
- Specific objective 2.7 “Enhancing nature protection and biodiversity, green infrastructure in particular in the urban environment, and reducing pollution” (Greener Europe);
- Specific objective 4.3 “Promoting the socioeconomic inclusion of marginalised communities, low-income households and disadvantaged groups, including people with special needs, through integrated actions, including housing and social services” (More social and inclusive Europe);
- Specific objective 4.6 “Enhancing the role of culture and sustainable tourism in economic development, social inclusion and social innovation” (More social and inclusive Europe);
- Specific objective 5.1 “Fostering the integrated and inclusive social, economic and environmental development, culture, natural heritage, sustainable tourism and security in urban areas” (Europe closer to citizens).
Call Total Budget
Financing percentage by EU or other bodies / Level of Subsidy or Loan
Each project can receive up to a maximum of € 5,000,000 ERDF co-financing and project implementation should take place within a maximum period of 3,5 years.
EUI-IA follows the total costs principle. This means that whilst the project receives ERDF co-financing up to 80% of the eligible costs, every Partner (Main and Associated Urban Authorities, Delivery Partners and Transfer Partners) receiving ERDF needs to secure 20% at least of public or private contribution to complete its budget either from its own resources or from other sources (but not from another EU funding source). The Partners contribution can be in the form of cash and/or in-kind.
Thematic Categories
- Environment and Climate Change
- Regional Development
- Research, Technological Development and Innovation
- Urban Development
Eligibility for Participation
- Associations
- Central Government
- International Organisations
- Large Enterprises
- Local Authorities
- NGOs
- Non Profit Organisations
- Private Bodies
- Semi-governmental organisations
- Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
- State-owned Enterprises
Eligibility For Participation Notes
Only eligible urban authorities as defined below can submit an Application Form in the framework of EUI-IA Call for Proposals:
- First category: Any urban authority of a local administrative unit defined according to the degree of urbanisation (DEGURBA) of Eurostat as city, town or suburb (corresponding to DEGURBA code 1 or DEGURBA code 2 of Eurostat) comprising at least 50 000 inhabitants;
- Second category: An association or grouping of urban authorities with legal status of organised agglomeration composed by Local Administrative Units, where the majority (at least 51%) of inhabitants lives in Local Administrative Units defined according to the degree of urbanisation (DEGURBA) of Eurostat as cities, towns or suburbs (corresponding to DEGURBA code 1 or DEGURBA code 2) and where the total combined population is at least 50 000 inhabitants.
- Third category: An association or grouping of urban authorities without legal status of organised agglomerations where all the urban authorities involved (Main Urban Authority and Associated Urban Authorities) are Local Administrative Units defined according to the degree of urbanisation (DEGURBA) of Eurostat as cities, towns or suburbs (corresponding to DEGURBA code 1 or DEGURBA code 2) and where the total combined population (Main Urban Authority and Associated Urban Authorities) is at least 50 000 inhabitants.
For more information about the abovementioned categories, please visit pages 5-8 of the Terms of Reference.
Partnership composition – The Main Urban Authority is expected to be directly involved in the experimentation and to play a strategic leading role in the development of the EUI-IA project by establishing and chairing a strong Project Partnership to make it technically, scientifically, and financially viable. The project partnership also involves:
- Delivery Partners – key institutions and organisations able to contribute to the implementation of the project, having an active role in the implementation and funding of the project activities by providing financial contribution to the project (the share of the budget ensured by a Project Partner, i.e. co-financing rate);
- Transfer Partners – cities interested in learning from the experimentation and replicating the innovative solution, following the project implementation and providing the Main Urban Authority with an external perspective related to the transferability and replicability of the experimented innovative solution;
- (if applicable) Associated Urban Authority(ies).
All Partners must be located in the European Union.
Call Opening Date
Call Closing Date
EU Contact Point
Contact Info: https://www.urban-initiative.eu/contact