Today, the Commission and the Hauts-de-France Region, EUI Entrusted Entity, announce the results of the second call on innovative actions from the European Urban Initiative (EUI): 22 projects from all across the EU will test new solutions on cities’ greening, sustainable tourism and harnessing talent in shrinking cities.
- 22 May 2024
The winning projects originating from 12 different Member states will receive €98 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Part of this funding will support the transfer of knowledge and replication of tested solutions in other EU cities to make an even bigger impact, especially in cities and regions most in need of sustainable urban transformation.
More details on the successful project proposals can be found here.They will join the 14 EUI-innovative actions selected as New European Bauhaus Demonstrators in the first call to inspire and spread innovation for a sustainable urban future in the EU with the support from Cohesion policy.
This announcement closes a highly competitive process that started in May 2023. The second call generated high interest from across the EU, receiving 112 applications from 21 EU Member States and that mobilised 137 urban authorities.
Background
The European Urban Initiative (EUI) is a key instrument supporting the reinforced urban dimension of Cohesion Policy for the 2021 – 2027 programming period. During this period, €24 billion from the ERDF will support EU cities in delivering on their sustainable development strategies, with projects covering competitiveness, cities’ greening, social inclusion, culture, and demography.
Within this Cohesion policy context, the EUI encourage cities to innovate by supporting the testing of new solutions to tackle multifaceted urban challenges of EU relevance, based on calls and themes defined by the Commission. Selected projects receive up to EUR 5 million from the ERDF each. Their outcomes are intended to encourage the integration of proven innovations into mainstream Cohesion policy programs in urban areas.
Two calls have already taken place, in October 2022 in support to the new European Bauhaus, and in May 2023 on ‘Greening Cities’, ‘Sustainable tourism’ and ‘Harnessing talent in shrinking cities’. With the 22 winning projects announced today, the EUI counts on a total pool of 36 innovative actions in 16 Member states committed to deliver on their solutions for a sustainable urban future for the EU.
The third EUI call for proposals worth €90 million has been launched on 6 May aiming to seek innovative projects focusing on energy transition and technology in cities. Interested representatives from EU cities are invited to consult the EUI webpage for details on the application process. The deadline to submit proposals is 14 October 2024.
The EUI builds upon the Urban Innovative Actions, the Commission’s initiative launched in 2014-2020 programming period, but places even greater focus on urban innovation, relevance to cohesion policy and replicability to other cities. As a major novelty, a part of the ERDF funding must now support transnational partnerships between benefiting urban authorities and three other EU cities (two from less developed or transition regions). The objective is to facilitate knowledge transfer and to explore the potential to adapt tested solutions in other urban contexts and across the innovation divide.
Beyond innovation, the EUI supports the capacities of all urban areas across Europe. It provides evidence for policymaking and sharing knowledge on sustainable urban development, including via the Urban Agenda for the EU and Portico, the European urban knowledge platform.
Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms Elisa Ferreira said: “As cities evolve and adapt to emerging challenges, they are also innovating to meet the demands of their changing landscapes. Given that nearly three-quarters of Europeans reside in urban areas, it is essential to explore every avenue to enhance the quality of life, employment opportunities, and overall growth within our cities. This call reflects our dedication to this mission, aiming to create healthier, more resilient, and sustainable cities for inhabitants, visitors, and talents. Today, the EUI offers a unique opportunity for 22 cities to transform their ideas into life-changing solutions addressing urban greening, sustainable tourism, and demographic challenges by harnessing talent."
Xavier Bertrand, president of Hauts-de-France Region (EUI Entrusted Entity) said: “Urban authorities from 12 Member States have once again mobilised to propose innovative, sustainable and transferable solutions at European level as part of the 2nd call for proposals under the European Urban Initiative, which focused on the issues of greening cities, sustainable tourism and the ability of vulnerable regions to attract new talent. The 22 projects selected by the Hauts-de-France Region and the European Commission reflect the ambition and commitment of European urban authorities to tackle the urban challenges with which the Hauts-de-France Region is fully associated. I would like to congratulate the elected representatives of these urban authorities and all their partners, who have demonstrated that the wealth of territories lies in their ability to build the policies of tomorrow by responding as closely as possible to the expectations of the people who live there”.