Testing and demonstrating innovative solutions to improve resilience to extreme heat, including addressing health impacts

The main goal of this opportunity is to speed up the adoption of solutions that help communities cope with extreme heat, especially in cities and towns. The focus is on making local and regional authorities in Europe better prepared to protect people, particularly those most at risk, from the health impacts of heatwaves. Projects should improve planning for disasters, strengthen emergency services, and use both nature-based and innovative approaches to reduce heat stress. Activities must involve several locations in different European countries and promote sharing of results so others can benefit. The opportunity supports practical actions as well as new ideas for funding adaptation measures.

• Projects must demonstrate solutions in at least three different regional or local authorities, each in a separate EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country.
• Each project must identify at least three additional regional or local authorities (from different countries) interested in applying the results in the future.
• Projects must include ways to work with European climate knowledge platforms and the Mission Implementation Platform.
• A participatory approach is required, involving local communities affected by extreme heat.
• Proposals must follow the required format and page limits.

Example projects:

• A project demonstrating green roofs and cool pavements in three European cities, with three other cities preparing to adopt these solutions.
• A partnership between local authorities in different countries to test emergency heat response plans, while other regions develop plans to replicate them.
• Collaboration between towns to install shade structures and water stations, with a network of additional towns observing and planning future roll-out.

• Staff costs for project management and implementation
• Equipment and materials for demonstration activities
• Costs for community engagement and participatory workshops
• Travel and accommodation for project partners
• Consultancy and expert services
• Communication and dissemination materials
• Development of training resources
• Monitoring and evaluation activities
• Coordination with knowledge platforms
• Administrative and support costs related to the project

Note: All costs must be covered by a lump sum as defined by the Horizon Europe Programme. Further restrictions or requirements may apply based on the official guidelines.

• Budget for this Call: 30,000,000€
• Number of Grants attributed: 3
• Budget per grant: 10,000,000€

• Demonstration activities must occur in at least three different regional or local authorities, each in a different EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country.
• Projects must identify at least three additional regional or local authorities from different countries that are interested in learning from and applying the project results.
• Regional or local authorities involved should preferably be part of the project consortium as partners or beneficiaries.
• Applicants must be able to show both financial and operational capacity to carry out the project.
• Proposals should include collaboration with relevant European climate and health knowledge platforms.
• A participatory approach, involving affected local communities, is required.