Requirements regarding capacity building activities

Capacity building should support local authorities and relevant stakeholders in identifying smart solutions that fit their needs, using existing EU-level resources such as Horizon Europe projects or Scalable Cities. It should also help them develop a scale-up roadmap after receiving the lump sum grant, so they can use the funding effectively and guide implementation.

Activities should encourage exchange of best practices, possibly at national level, to remove barriers and support roadmap implementation. They may include site visits, workshops, templates, masterclasses, and peer-to-peer or mentorship activities, including a possible call for expert cities.

Requirements regarding the awarding and management of the lump sum grants

Lump sum grants should account for around 70% of the proposal’s total budget. Each grant may be up to EUR 60,000, and the awarded consortium must organise at least two calls for proposals.

Applicants must clearly define the eligible activities and the final deliverable, namely the scale-up roadmap. The grant allocation process must follow EU standards on transparency, equal treatment, conflict of interest and confidentiality. Final award criteria and the number of calls must be agreed with CINEA.

Proposals must explain how calls will be published and promoted, how applications will be submitted and evaluated, how grants will be monitored technically, and how funds will be distributed according to EU requirements. They must also show capacity to select cost-efficient and appropriate applications, considering relevance, maturity, expected impact, need for intervention and stakeholder involvement. They should also describe how they will reach and support potential applicants.

Requirements for local authorities applying for lump sum grants

Local authorities must describe the smart solution or solutions they want to address, their technological readiness level, the planned financial solutions and the governance approach for implementation.

They must explain existing planning processes and resources and show strong implementation potential. A politically approved SECAP, or equivalent plan, is required before applying.

They also need a convincing strategy to engage technical, financial and operational stakeholders, as well as citizens. They must commit to monitoring implementation for at least one year. Eligible applicants must be located in a LIFE eligible country.

Requirements for a scale-up roadmap

Each roadmap should focus on a specific smart solution or group of solutions identified in the lump sum grant application.

The solutions should build on successful demonstration projects in smart, clean and energy-efficient energy solutions that improve energy affordability, including by supporting local renewable energy consumption and production. Possible areas include energy sharing, community-scale storage, other storage solutions, bidirectional EV charging, energy management systems, heating and cooling systems and micro-grids. Other areas may also be considered by EmpowerEUcities, with the final focus agreed with CINEA.

The consortium must create a standardised approach for developing roadmaps. This should include pre-feasibility analysis covering technical, legal and financial aspects; identification of implementation steps such as inventories, engineering, procurement and financing; detailed planning of internal resources; and analysis of the role of local stakeholders.

Roadmaps should be signed at executive level by relevant local stakeholders. They must also show how the supported solutions will deliver concrete economic benefits for residents and communities, such as lower energy bills or revenues for citizens.

Monitoring, capitalisation and dissemination

EmpowerEUcities must set up a framework to monitor, analyse, capitalise on, communicate and disseminate results and success stories. This includes tracking commitments signed and achieved, solutions to be implemented and the expected impacts of the roadmaps.

Expectations regarding the consortium

The consortium implementing EmpowerEUcities should have strong experience in municipal sustainable energy and climate planning and investments. It must show that it can mobilise a critical mass of cities, municipalities or groupings of municipalities, and that it has an inclusive outreach strategy across Europe, possibly through cooperation with city networks such as the EU Covenant of Mayors.

The consortium should also demonstrate expertise in implementing smart energy solutions at local level, including legal, social and financial aspects. It must also have experience with EU-compliant funding mechanisms, including calls for proposals, awarding, management and monitoring.