EUI Innovative Actions 4th Call
Funds innovative urban actions that pilot new approaches to sustainable urban development in EU cities.
Description
About the call
The fourth Call for Proposals of the European Urban Initiative — Innovative Actions (EUI-IA) supports city projects that drive innovation at the local level. Established under Article 12 of the ERDF Regulation, EUI is managed by an Entrusted Entity in Hauts-de-France under DG REGIO supervision. The call has a total ERDF budget of €60 million, with up to €2 million ERDF per project and an 80% co-financing rate. Project implementation must take place within a maximum of 2 years.
Topics
Proposals must address one of six topics:
- Competitiveness, Digitalisation, Innovation and Investment
- Social Inclusion and Equality
- Security, Safety of Public Spaces and Preparedness
- Affordable, Sustainable, Decent Quality, and Inclusive Housing and Buildings
- Climate Action, Environment and Clean Energy
- Mobility
What this means for cities and regions
The most direct large EU grant for cities to test something new at home. Cities with more than 25,000 inhabitants apply with one or more Delivery Partners (other public bodies, academia, businesses, civil society organisations) and a strategic-stakeholder network. The project must propose an innovative, untested-at-this-scale local solution that, if successful, can be replicated by other cities. Open 25 February 2026, closes 15 June 2026. ERDF co-financing of up to 80% requires the applicant to plan 100% of the project budget and secure at least 20% of co-financing from non-EU sources.
Faits clés
Date limite de soumission
15 June 2026, 14:00 CEST
Publié
Ouvre
Programme
Appel parent
Enveloppe totale
Par projet
Subventions attendues
Taux de cofinancement
Éligibilité
Pays éligibles
Régions NUTS éligibles
—Types d'organisation éligibles
Taille min. du consortium
—Pays partenaires min.
—Notes d'éligibilité
Who can apply
Lead applicant must be a Main Urban Authority (MUA) representing:
- An urban authority of a local administrative unit, defined according to the degree of urbanisation as city, town or suburb, with at least 25,000 inhabitants; or
- An association or grouping of urban authorities (in the form of an Associated Urban Authority — AUA), with a total of at least 25,000 inhabitants, where the territorial coverage is contiguous
Project partnership
The Main Urban Authority (or AUA) acts as Lead Partner. The project may include:
- One or more Delivery Partners (universities, research centres, businesses, NGOs, social enterprises, etc.)
- A network of Strategic Stakeholders (other public bodies, citizens' organisations, etc.) who do not receive ERDF but participate in the project
Each Partner receiving ERDF must plan 100% of its project budget and secure at least 20% from non-EU sources.
Geographic eligibility
Applicants must be located in EU-27 Member States. The project must be implemented in the territory of the Main Urban Authority.
Restrictions
- Cities under 25,000 inhabitants cannot lead but can participate as Strategic Stakeholders or Delivery Partners
- EUI-IA cannot fund infrastructure projects of routine deployment; the project must propose a genuinely innovative urban solution
- Each project can receive a maximum of €2 million ERDF, with a project implementation period of up to 2 years
- Co-financing rate: up to 80% ERDF; remaining 20% must be secured from non-EU sources
Classification
Domaines thématiques
Types d'activité
Pertinence spatiale
Niveau C — les outils spatiaux pourraient plausiblement soutenir l'appel mais ne sont pas nommés.
Services spatiaux
Sources
EUI-IA-4-MAIN
Ingérée le 20 mai 2026
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