URBACT IV Call for Action Networks
URBACT Action Networks — transnational learning networks of European cities tackling shared urban challenges.
Description
About the call
The URBACT IV call for Action Networks is the flagship transnational city-networking instrument of EU Cohesion Policy, funded under Interreg (interregional cooperation). It enables city administrations to put their strategies in motion and implement concrete actions in their local contexts through a 2.5-year journey of learning and exchange with European peers, supported by expert capacity-building. The call runs 17 March to 17 June 2026 and the URBACT programme expects to select around 30 networks.
Structure of an Action Network
Each Action Network is composed of 6 to 8 city partners and runs in three stages:
- Stage 1 — Activation (7 months, November 2026 to May 2027): partners build their working relationships, refine their local action plans, and align methodologies.
- Stage 2 — Develop & Deliver (20 months, June 2027 to January 2029): partners implement concrete actions in their local contexts and exchange experience transnationally.
- Stage 3 — Final stage (3 months, February to April 2029): capitalisation, knowledge transfer, dissemination.
Each network receives an EU contribution typically in the range of €600,000 to €850,000 (including a €127,500 expertise budget) over the project duration.
Cross-thematic objectives
URBACT IV networks address policy challenges across all urban policy domains. Cross-cutting objectives include digital transition, green transition, and gender equality. Topics are open — any sustainable urban development challenge can form the basis of a network.
What this means for cities and regions
The natural EU instrument for a city wanting structured peer-learning to implement a strategy it already has — Climate Action Plans, Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans, Local Adaptation Plans, Integrated Action Plans for ITI areas. The Lead Partner role is well-suited to mid-sized cities with EU experience; smaller cities benefit by joining as partners. Application is via SYNERGIE-CTE; supporting documents are accepted until 18 June 2026.
Faits clés
Date limite de soumission
17 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
- Cities, towns and municipalities of any size from EU-27 Member States.
- Provincial, regional and metropolitan authorities, as a limited number of non-city partners.
- The Lead Partner of a network must be a city (not a region or province).
Partner States and external partners
- Norway and Switzerland are Partner States. Partners from Switzerland are co-financed at 50% by a Swiss national fund. Partners from Norway can participate with Norwegian national funds covering up to 50% of costs. ERDF allocations do not flow to Norwegian or Swiss partners.
- IPA countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. Partners from IPA countries can participate in operations receiving IPA co-financing.
- Ukraine and Moldova (NDICI countries). Partners can participate in operations receiving NDICI co-financing.
- Partners from other countries can participate at their own cost.
Co-financing rates
EU co-financing is calculated at network level on the basis of each partner's rate:
- Partners from less-developed regions: 80% ERDF
- Partners from transition regions: 70% ERDF
- Partners from more-developed regions: 65% ERDF
- Norway and Switzerland: 50% from national funds (not ERDF)
Partnership composition
- A network must include 6 to 8 partners.
- Partnerships must respect the URBACT IV partnership rules on geographic distribution and category-of-region balance (detailed in Section 4 of the Terms of Reference).
- Cities from at least 3 Member States or Partner States must be represented.
Application
Submission via the SYNERGIE-CTE system; supporting documents accepted until 18 June 2026 at 15:00 CEST.
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
URBACT-IV-AN-MAIN
Ingérée le 20 mai 2026
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