The European City Facility (EUCF) is set to introduce a new round of funding opportunities, providing both financial and technical assistance to cities, municipalities, and local authorities aiming to boost sustainable energy and climate action investments.
A total of €11.1 million has been allocated to support additional 185 local beneficiaries, each receiving a grant of €60,000. The 8th call for applications is scheduled to open in October 2026 and will remain open for two months, with further calls provisionally planned for Spring and Autumn 2027.
This latest phase of the EUCF builds upon the achievements of previous funding rounds, which have already assisted over 400 local authorities across Europe in developing investment concepts for sustainable energy projects. To date, the first 330 authorities to complete their investment concepts are collectively targeting €32 billion in investment, with €1.8 billion already secured.
Upcoming calls: what to expect
The application process for the forthcoming calls will follow a similar structure to previous rounds, though with some notable updates. One confirmed change is the inclusion of actions that support local heating and cooling plans, in addition to the existing focus on energy efficiency and clean energy initiatives aligned with local Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans (SECAPs) or equivalent strategies.
Furthermore, the list of eligible countries has been expanded. Previously limited to the EU27, Ukraine, and Iceland, the new calls will also welcome applications from Montenegro, Moldova, and North Macedonia.
These new calls are funded under the LIFE Programme, the European Union’s primary funding mechanism for environmental and climate action. Further details, including confirmed call dates, application procedures, national support systems, and adjustments from previous rounds, will be announced via the EUCF Call Alert, and the Facility’s LinkedIn page.
