Sustainable Cities Mobility Challenge
Details
Climate KIC is running a Sustainable Cities Mobility Challenge for European cities to identify bold and impactful projects which seek to decarbonise transport, improve local air quality and accelerate the take-up of active, shared and collective mobility. The call aims to support the transition to cleaner, greener, and more inclusive transport, in line with the objectives of the European Green Deal, Urban Mobility Framework, New European Bauhaus and the EU Cities Mission.
This year, we are particularly keen to support projects that create street space that enables healthy, active mobility and that also incorporate greening (e.g. planters, trees, parklets, shrubs, pocket gardens), as these can simultaneously deliver benefits for the climate, quality of life, biodiversity and sustainable transport.
Who can apply?
Cities and towns (with a population of at least 25,000) in the EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries1 (including the United Kingdom, but excluding Canada and New Zealand) are eligible to apply.
Projects must fulfil the following key eligibility conditions: (1) contribute, in the broadest sense, to protecting nature and the environment, promoting sustainability, addressing climate change, and advancing knowledge in these areas, for the common good; and (2) serve the public interest.
Essential information
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Project proposals should be submitted by city councils, municipalities or local authorities (including municipality-owned organisations/companies). Applications should provide evidence of senior political support/municipal mandate. While we welcome applications from towns and cities that are working on projects with other organizations in the public and private sectors, sub-granting of SCMC grants is not permitted. (Applicants can use their own funds to provide sub-grants within the same project).
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Projects will be selected based on the potential for impact, learning, and replicability in other towns and cities. They should seek to make a positive difference to people and the environment in the area where they are implemented, adding to the body of knowledge/experience to shift cities more rapidly towards healthier and more sustainable mobility systems.
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Examples of the types of projects that could be considered for support include (but are not limited to), the following:
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o Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs), Low Emission Neighbourhoods (LENs) or similar: Initiatives that reduce vehicle traffic or emissions to create safer, cleaner, and more sustainable urban areas. o Active travel with green enhancements: Projects that promote walking, cycling, or wheeling while integrating natural elements such as trees, planters, parklets, shrubs, or green barriers and corridors. o Walking, cycling, and wheeling initiatives: Projects that prioritize active mobility and accessibility for all users. |
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o Reimagined street spaces: Play streets, school streets, and similar projects that transform street space for greening, social activities, and community use. o Mobility hubs: Centralized locations that integrate various modes of sustainable transport, such as public transport, shared mobility, and active travel options. o Shared and collective mobility: Projects that enhance access to public transport or other forms of shared mobility, reducing reliance on individual car use. o Sustainable goods and logistics: Initiatives that support low-impact, sustainable methods for the transport of goods and services and provide sustainable solutions to last mile logistics. o Integrated behaviour change projects: Behaviour change strategies that are directly linked to on-street infrastructure changes. Standalone behaviour change initiatives without a connection to physical interventions will not be eligible. |
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Each city project selected will be granted up to 90,000 EUR (depending on the total number of proposals selected in the call). A maximum of four projects will be funded.
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The anticipated grant payment schedule is as follows: 20% when the project starts; 70% after four months (subject to delivery and on receipt of progress update); 10% when closing the project (subject to delivery and on receipt of progress report).
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Proposals can be centred around new ideas or initiatives – or can relate to elements of existing or emerging city projects/programmes/strategies that advance healthy, sustainable urban mobility.
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Cities should complete their projects by 31 December 2026 at the latest.
How to apply?
Interested towns and cities are invited to submit a short project proposal (maximum 2,000 words) outlining the mobility challenge they would like to tackle, and their proposed action to address this.
To apply, please complete the application form and send your proposal to sustainablecitiesmobility@climate-kic.org by 23.00 CET on Wednesday 12 March 2025.
Please submit any questions you may have about the call (in English) to the same email address. We will collect these, write up (anonymized) answers and publish these as Questions and Answers on the call website. Please ensure that any questions reach us by Friday, 7 March 2025.
Indicative call timeline
Call opens: Wednesday, 15 January 2025 12 noon CET
Call closes Wednesday, 12 March 2025 23.00 CET.
Evaluation of proposals: 12 March to 20 April 2025.
Successful applicants notified: end March/early April 2025.
Projects start: May/June 2025
Projects end: by 31 December 2026 at the latest.
FAQ
Funding and Budget
Q: Is match funding/co-funding required?
A: No, it is not required. However, bringing additional resources can help increase impact and reach. If your project includes additional funding, please clarify which elements will be covered by the Challenge grant and which by your organization/other sources.
Q: Can the project be co-financed by the state/European funds?
A: Yes, but please specify in your proposal which elements would be funded by the SCMC grant. (An estimated budget must be included).
Q: Are there guidelines for eligible costs?
A: Yes. See our donor intermediary CAF America’s guidance, Allowable Grant Purpose, Climate KIC will need to reflect this guidance in grant agreements with selected cities. (Small-scale infrastructure is allowed if it serves public or charitable interests).
Q: What are the eligible budget categories?
A: Please see Allowable Grant Purpose guidance. Eligible: Labour costs/salaries, marketing materials, consumable materials, supplies, and equipment. Not eligible: Unrestricted funds, endowments, capital assets listed in financial statements, and non-specific project costs.
Q: Can we include indirect costs?
A: No, all funding must be justified as direct costs (e.g., grant management, administrative costs, legal fees).
Q: Can the project generate income?
A: The grant is for environmental and public benefit, not profit. Revenue may be generated strictly only to cover or contribute to operating costs.
Q: Is VAT included in the funding?
A: Yes, VAT is an eligible expense.
Grant Payments and Reporting
Q: How do we report during and after the project?
A: Grant payments are tied to reporting:
20% at project start (once grant agreement has been signed)
70% after four months (upon satisfactory interim progress report)
10% upon project completion (with final report)
Q: What evidence of expenditure is required?
A: At the end of the grant period, recipients will be required to report on project spending. At the moment of reporting no supporting documents will be required. However, projects will be subject to ad hoc reviews and audits. Therefore, recipients should ensure to keep appropriate written records in connection with the grant and make these available on request, for a period of seven years from the date that the grant is paid.
Project Eligibility and Scope
Q: Are English County Councils eligible?
A: Yes, if the project benefits a population of at least 25,000.
Q: Can a consortium of cities/private companies apply?
A: Yes, but the grant agreement must be with a municipality or a public body representing municipalities.
Q: Are regional development agencies eligible to apply?
A: Yes, if they represent one or more municipalities, and the project is in the public/environmental interest.
Q: Can projects already in the study phase apply?
A: Yes, but projects should aim to deliver tangible outcomes by end 2026. Feasibility studies alone are not eligible.
Q: Can the project be part of a larger initiative?
A: Yes, but please specify clearly which elements would be funded by the SCMC grant.
Implementation and Collaboration
Q: Can we work with a private sector partner?
A: Yes, but the city would need to assume responsibility for reporting and expenditure – and comply with public procurement rules.
Q: Is sub-granting allowed?
A: No, funds must not be passed to third parties for unspecified purposes. Cities/municipalities can partner with other public, non-profit or private bodies but would be the sole liable entity and contract signatory. The city (or similar public body) would need to report on behalf of all partners. Applications should explain the role of the partnership in advancing the proposed project.
Q: Are fixed assets and investments permitted?
A: Small-scale infrastructure is eligible if it serves the public and environmental good.
Q: Are bicycle parking modules eligible?
A: Yes, if they promote cycling and serve the public interest. (Any revenue generation is allowed only for operating costs, not profit).
Q: Are there any specific requirements regarding the integration of green spaces in projects?
There are no specific requirements. Green spaces and planting can often be incorporated into pocket parks, or communal cycle parking, but sometimes this may not be appropriate or feasible.
Q: Can funding be used for SECAPs or feasibility studies?
A: No. Although we strongly encourage municipalities to develop SECAPs, the grant is intended to support project delivery, rather than strategy development or consultancy.
Other Considerations
Q: Do we need to become a partner of Climate KIC if selected?
A: Membership of the Climate KIC Community is not required to receive grant funding.
Q: Are funding recipients required to attend meetings?
A: No in person travel is required. However, grant recipients are required to provide written updates, attend brief online check-ins, and assist in publicizing the Challenge programme.
Q: What conversion rate should we use for £ to €?
A: We suggest you use any reputable online currency converter.
Q: What should go in the Appendices section?
A: Additional supporting materials, such as maps or graphics related to your proposal.
Q: What sources should we use to prove population statistics?
A: Any reliable source, such as CityPopulation.de.
Q: How should we assess project impact?
A: We do not propose any specific methodologies. We expect applications to be diverse and expect applicants to make the case for their project in different ways. Consider aspects such as GHG and local air pollution reduction, mode shift potential, health and economic co-benefits, road safety, and quality of life improvements.
Q: When is a project sufficiently innovative?
A: We want to see innovation in projects, but not just ‘new’ for its own sake, and not necessarily technological innovation. We define innovation in its widest sense. For example, improving mobility services is innovation – and using ideas tested elsewhere in a new context or location is also innovation.