Three Western Balkans Cities to Become Climate Neutral and Smart Cities
Three Western Balkans cities have pledged to become climate neutral and smart cities by 2030: Elbasan (Albania), Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and Podgorica (Montenegro).
The cities are among the 100 EU cities that will participate in the EU Mission for 100 climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030, the so-called Cities Mission.
Missions are a novelty of Horizon Europe and support Commission priorities, such as the European Green Deal, Europe fit for the Digital Age, Europe's Beating Cancer Plan, An economy that works for people and the New European Bauhaus.
The 100 cities come from all EU 27 Member States. Additional 12 cities are from economies associated or with the potential of being associated to Horizon Europe.
Climate neutral and smart cities of the future
Cities will act as experimentation and innovation ecosystems to help all others in their transition to becoming climate-neutral by 2050.
The 100 EU cities will be “test beds” for innovative integrated solutions to many of urban citizens' issues.
The Cities Mission will receive €360 million of Horizon Europe funding covering the period 2022-23. With these funds, they will trailblaze towards climate neutrality by 2030.
Globally, urban areas consume over 65% of the world's energy, accounting for more than 70% of CO2 emissions.
This is an excellent opportunity for Erbasan, Podgorica and Sarajevo to scale and speed up climate actions.
The research and innovation actions will address clean mobility, energy efficiency and green urban planning. There will be a possibility to build joint initiatives and collaborate with other EU programmes.
Benefits for cities include tailor-made advice and assistance from a dedicated Mission Platform run by NetZeroCities, additional funding and financing opportunities and the possibility to join large innovation actions and pilot projects. The Mission also provides networking opportunities, exchange of best practices between cities and support to engage citizens in the mission.
The 100 selected cities will develop Climate City Contracts, which will include an overall plan for climate neutrality and related investment plans. These will cover all sectors including energy, buildings, waste management and transport.
This process will involve citizens, research organisations and the private sector.
Cities that were not selected can also receive support through the Mission Platform and funding opportunities under the Cities Mission Work Programme of Horizon Europe.
Benefits to participants
Participation in the mission will bring numerous benefits to the participating cities.
They will receive tailor-made advice and assistance from the Mission Platform (managed by the NetZeroCities consortium).
The project will contribute to better living standards for the cities' inhabitants. It will help promote business opportunities and tourist attractions through additional funding and financing opportunities through a Mission label.
The project will raise the visibility of the involved cities and attract investment and skilled workers.
Research & innovation funding will become available for cities to join large innovation actions, pilot projects and demonstrations. The total budget from Horizon Europe for 2021-2023 is €360 million.
The project will make urban living greener, cleaner and healthier for all citizens.
Participating cities will learn how to manage extremely demanding challenges in the future through networking and exchange of experiences.
Climate-neutral and smart cities will help towards zero pollution goals, protecting biodiversity and encourage a circular economy.