The European City Facility: Promoting investment in the energy transition in European cities

Cities and municipalities play a key role in Europe’s energy transition. They can establish investment programs for energy efficiency and renewable energies and mobilise financial resources for the transition. Often, however, well-developed investment concepts are lacking, which results in inadequate sources of financing. The European City Facility aims to counter this.

The European City Facility (EUCF) helps cities and municipalities develop investment concepts to promote energy efficiency and renewable energies. They receive financial support and advice. The EUCF is a Europe-wide program under the umbrella of Horizon 2020, an EU program for research and innovation.

What are the goals of the European City Facility?

• Cities and municipalities receive practical, region-specific technical and financial expertise. The primary aim is to create 225 well-founded, scalable concepts to free up private and public investment amounting to over EUR 320 million.
• Build capacities for 450 employees in public administrations. With tools, networks and the exchange of knowledge, these employees can establish extensive project pipelines.
• Help small and medium-sized municipalities access private and EU funding.
• Successful investment concepts and the acquired knowledge will encourage more than 8,000 other cities and municipalities to act and replicate their success.