Horizon Europe Cities and Adaptation to Climate Change Missions Open for Applications
EU Missions are a novel instrument in Horizon Europe for the 2021-2027 programming period. They aim to tackle some of the world’s greatest challenges with systemic, concrete solutions, leading to societal transformations and social impact. Missions will also help deliver key EU policy priorities such as the European Green Deal, the Climate Adaptation Strategy, Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and A Europe fit for the Digital Age, amongst others.
The missions have ambitious goals and will deliver concrete results by 2030. Each mission will operate as a portfolio of actions – such as research projects, policy measures or legislative initiatives – to achieve a measurable goal that could not be achieved through individual actions. The missions will closely involve citizens in their preparation, implementation and monitoring throughout their duration, showcasing the added value of the EU.
Five mission areas have been included in the Horizon Europe Regulation:
- Adaptation to Climate Change
- Cancer
- Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities
- Ocean, Seas and Waters
- Soil Health and Food
The first calls have now launched under the Adaptation to Climate Change and Climate Neutral and Smart Cities Missions.
Adaptation to Climate Change
This mission aims to support at least 150 European regions and communities to become climate resilient by 2030 by connecting citizens with science and public policy. It will focus on solutions and preparedness for the impact of climate change to protect lives and assets. It will include behavioural changes and social aspects by addressing new communities beyond usual stakeholders, which help lead to a societal transformation.
The intention is to ask the most advanced European regions in research performance and on climate adaptation to share their experience and accompany them in finding solutions adapted to their own climatic situation and economy.
Five Call Topics worth a total of approximately €115 million have launched under this mission. Applications must be submitted via the Commission’s Funding and Tenders Portal by the 12 April 2022 deadline.
Climate Neutral and Smart Cities
This Mission will work to deliver 100 climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030 and ensure that these cities act as experimentation and innovation hubs to enable all European cities to follow suit by 2050.
The Cities Mission will involve the participation of local authorities, citizens, businesses, investors and regional and national authorities. It takes a cross-sectoral and demand-led approach, creating synergies between existing initiatives and basing its activities on the actual needs of cities.
A central feature of the mission will be Climate City Contracts, which will be drawn up, signed and implemented by each participating city. While not legally binding, these contracts will constitute a clear and highly visible political commitment to achieving the mission’s goals. They will set out plans for the city to achieve climate neutrality by 2030 and include an investment plan. Climate City Contracts will be co-created with local stakeholders and citizens, with the help of a Mission Platform (to be set up by project NetZeroCities).
The Mission Platform will provide the necessary technical, regulatory and financial assistance to cities. In addition, Horizon Europe will invest around €350 million in research and innovation actions linked to the Mission (eg in mobility, energy, urban planning) in the period 2021-23.
Five Call Topics worth a total of approximately €117 million have launched under this mission. Applications must be submitted via the Commission’s Funding and Tenders Portal by the 12 April 2022 deadline.