On 28 April 2022, the Commission announced the 100 participating cities which will receive the Commission’s support in achieving the goal of Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030. The announcement followed the renewed commitment of the EU to the UN New Urban Agenda.

Our urban areas are home to 75% of EU citizens. Globally, urban areas consume over 65% of the world's energy, accounting for more than 70% of CO2 emissions. It follows that it should be  cities that lead by example and act as experimentation ecosystems to help all others in their transition to become climate-neutral by 2050.

Enters “Cities mission”, one of five Horizon Europe research and innovation programmes for the years 2021-2027. Through this initiative the Commission supports 100 European cities to act as hubs of experimentation and innovation for green, digital and inclusive transformations. The cities span across all 27 Member States, with 12 additional cities from countries associated or with the potential of being associated to Horizon Europe.   

The selected 100 represent 12% of European population. The Cities Mission will receive €360 million of Horizon Europe funding, throughout the period 2022-23. The funding will jumpstart research and innovation projects addressing clean mobility, energy efficiency and green urban planning with the objective of reaching climate neutrality by 2030.