
The CETPartnership is an initiative co-funded by the European Union. It is a multilateral and strategic partnership of national and regional research, development and innovation (RDI) programmes in European Member States and Associated Countries and regions.
The CETPartnership aims to empower the clean energy transition and contribute to the EU’s goal of becoming the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, by pooling national and regional RDTI funding for a broad variety of technologies and system solutions required to make the transition. Additionally, it fosters transnational innovation ecosystems and supports the implementation of the European Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET Plan).
The Cohesion Fund provides support to Member States with a gross national income (GNI) per capita below 90% EU-27 average to strengthen the economic, social and territorial cohesion of the EU. It supports investments in the field of environment and trans-European networks in the area of transport infrastructure (TEN-T).
The Cohesion Fund finances programmes in shared responsibility between the European Commission and national and regional authorities in Member States.
The Driving Urban Transitions (DUT) Partnership is an intergovernmental research and innovation programme addressing key challenges of urban transitions. Its ambition is to shape and facilitate an innovation ecosystem so that all urban actors can engage and benefit.
DUT is committed to addressing urban sustainability challenges and contributing to the European Mission of climate-neutral cities, the European Green Deal, and the Urban Agenda for the EU.
The EIC Accelerator is a funding programme under Horizon Europe that offers support to start-ups and SMEs that:
- have an innovative, game changing product, service or business model that could create new markets or disrupt existing ones in Europe and even worldwide,
- have the ambition and commitment to scale up,
- are looking for substantial funding, but the risks involved are too high for private investors alone to invest.
This report gives an overview of existing funds and investors with experience investing in clean energy.
An updated version of the funding instruments for energy innovation is available here.
Climate Strategy & Partners, Jacques Delors Institute and Cleantech for Europe developed a simple and interactive tool to help you:
- Find the right EU funding opportunities for your project, depending on your status, Technological Readiness Level (TRL), sector of focus, type of financing needed and more,
- Learn about some of these instruments, including their level of focus on climate,
- Access links to find out more and apply for funding.
Interreg is a key European Union instruments that strengthens cooperation between regions and countries within the EU. As part of the EU’s Cohesion Policy, Interreg plays a vital role in promoting regional development, cohesion, and reducing economic disparities. For the 2021-2027 period, Interreg is focused on addressing current challenges like climate change, digital transformation, and social inclusion.
The LIFE Programme is the EU’s funding instrument for the environment and climate action. It includes four subprogrammes: Nature and Biodiversity, Circular Economy and Quality of Life, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation, and Clean Energy Transition.
All LIFE calls for proposals, including LIFE Clean energy transition, are published on CINEA’s website as well as the European Commission’s Funding & Tenders portal.
Mapping report on funding instruments for energy innovation (published as part of the SMARTSPEND project):
The Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) is a temporary instrument that is the centrepiece of NextGenerationEU -the EU’s plan to emerge stronger and more resilient from the current crisis. Through the Facility, the Commission raises funds by borrowing on the capital markets (issuing bonds on behalf of the EU).
It finances reforms and investments in EU Member States made from the start of the pandemic in February 2020 until 31 December 2026. Countries can receive financing up to a previously agreed maximum amount. Member States use the funds provided by the Recovery and Resilience Facility to implement ambitious reforms and investment to make their economies and societies more sustainable, resilient and prepared for the green and digital transitions.
commission.europa.eu/business-economy-euro/economic-recovery/recovery-and-resilience-facility
The Sovereignty seal is the EU quality label awarded to the high-quality projects contributing to the STEP objectives. It will give them visibility and help attract alternative or additional public and private investments. The Sovereignty seal is awarded to all projects meeting the minimum quality requirements (including eligibility, exclusion, and award criteria) in the selection process of a competitive procedure of calls for proposal under the Digital Europe Programme, the European Defence Fund, the EU4Health programme, Horizon Europe, or the Innovation Fund.