As climate change manifests itself across Europe in a variety of ways, from floods to droughts, fires and the loss of nature and biodiversity, local authorities are setting action plans to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. These plans are ambitious, but ambition can only take them so far; they often face financial constraints that prevent their implementation. The five-year LIFE European City Facility (LIFE EUCF) supports municipalities, local authorities and public entities in turning their action plans into credible and mature investment ideas.

"Designed by cities for cities" is the basis of the LIFE EUCF programme. It was part of Horizon 2020, the EU's research and innovation funding program from 2014 to 2020 - and LIFE funding started in 2021. Since 2020, more than 280 institutions in three regions - the Nordic countries and Western Europe (NC&WE ); Central and Eastern Europe (CEE); and Southern Europe (SE) – after applying in the last five funding calls. These challenges have been organized annually since 2020, with two challenges taking place in 2021. (More on  cinea.ec.europa.eu)