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    LIFE-2026-CET-EMPOWER

    Scaling up smart and clean energy solutions for affordability in EU cities

    Closing soon · 22 daysLive official EU data

    LIFE Clean Energy Transition · LIFE-PJG · Needs partners

    16 Sep 2026
    Deadline
    €6M
    Call budget (2026)

    What this call funds

    This call funds a single EU-wide initiative called EmpowerEUcities that helps cities scale up already-proven smart, clean energy solutions (like local renewable energy sharing, storage, EV charging, or micro-grids) so ordinary citizens see lower energy bills. The winning consortium will provide training and coaching to local authorities, then distribute small lump-sum grants (up to €60,000 each) to cities to develop detailed 'scale-up roadmaps' for implementing these solutions, and will track and publicize results.

    renewable energy · energy efficiency · smart grids · energy storage · smart cities · electric vehicles

    Who wins this

    A consortium of at least three organisations deeply experienced in municipal energy planning, city networks, and management of EU sub-granting schemes, aiming to run a pan-European capacity-building and grant-distribution programme for cities.

    Could you win this call?

    We read your site to see what you build.

    The call in detail

    Funding model
    LIFE-AG
    Submission
    Single-stage submission (full proposal at once)
    Type of action
    LIFE Project Grants
    Partners
    Required. The call asks for a consortium — at least 3 partners, from 3 countries.
    Eligible applicants
    public body, local authority, non-profit, research organisation
    Funding rate
    95% (Other Action Grants)
    Support to third parties
    Lump sum grants to local authorities, maximum EUR 60,000 per grant, representing around 70% of the total proposal budget, distributed through at least two calls for proposals.
    Also required
    Only one proposal will be selected; local authorities applying for lump sum grants must be located in a LIFE eligible country and must have a politically approved Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP) or equivalent.
    Sectors
    CleanTech · Energy · Circular Economy
    Read the full conditions from the official call ›

    Conditions 1. Admissibility conditions: Proposal page limit and layout described in section 5 of the call document. Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System. 2. Eligible countries described in section 6 of the call document. 3. Other eligibility conditions described in section 6 of the call document. 4. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion described in section 7 of the call document. 5a. Evaluation and award: Submission and evaluation processes described section 8 of the call document and the Online Manual. 5b. Evaluation and award: Award criteria, scoring and thresholds described in section 9 of the call document. 5c. Evaluation and award: Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement described in section 4 of the call document. 6. Legal and financial set-up of the grants described in section 10 of the call document. Call document and annexes: Call document

    Who has won calls like this

    No past winners are recorded for this call family yet.

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