The UIA call is aimed at providing urban authorities throughout the European Union with resources to test new and unproven solutions to address urban challenges. It will focus on four urban topics:
- adaptation to climate change
- air quality
- housing, jobs and skills in the local economy
Deadline for application: 30 March 2018 at 2pm CET
A detailed description of the topics are available in the Terms of Reference for Call 3. For this call, an indicative budget of between EUR 80-100 million is allocated.
Next steps:
- Read the UIA Guidance (click here for the online pdf in English), the main reference document exeplaining all the rules and requirements of an UIA project. It should be read together with the Terms of Reference of the Call
- Download the Application Pack on the UIA website (we kindly advise you to download and careful read all documents provided) > http://www.uia-initiative.eu/en/call-proposals
- Apply on the Electronic Exchange Platform (EEP) [read the technical guidance]
Four applicants seminars will be organised in different parts of the EU to better support applicants in fully understanding the requirements and expectations of the UIA initiative.
- Bucharest on 11 January 2018
- Zagreb on 23 January 2018
- Malmö on 7 February 2018
- Brussels on 22 February 2018
A new self-assessment tool has been developped for interested applicants to ask themselves the right questions around the main criteria used during the Strategic assessment.
More information at http://www.uia-initiative.eu/en/uia-support-applicants-3rd-call-proposals

Iordana Eleftheriadou, Policy coordinator for Digital Transformation, alongside the First VP of the Committee of the Regions, Markku Markkula, at the launch of the Digital Cities Challenge
Launched at the European Week of Regions and Cities, the Commission Digital Cities Challenge is throwing down the gauntlet to city leaders and key stakeholders to make their cities more productive, more innovative, better places to live. They can do so by putting advanced technologies at the service of the citizens.
The challenge aims to select 15 cities with the will to change and unlock unreleased potential, to receive free-of-charge high quality policy advice, coaching and facilitation, from high-level experts with local and international experience. This tailored support will help them to develop and implement strategic plans addressing economic growth and social welfare, all in their local language.
Participating cities will also have access to intuitive assessment tools for digitalisation, innovative training, and a vast networking pool, including fellow cities, strategic stakeholders and Commission networks and platforms. This will help cities stimulate investments through joint cross-regional actions for digital transformation.
In addition to the selected 15 cities, the challenge will support a broader community of cities who wish to participate using their own resources and benefit from the knowledge and networking opportunities provided.
The result will be to give cities a well-developed strategy and action plan to move towards digital transformation and put them on the map as a beacon for future economic growth and improved quality of life.
The call is now open for applications.
To find out more about the Digital Cities Challenge and the call visit www.digitallytransformyourregion.eu
The Digital Cities Challenge is funded by COSME programme of the European Union. COSME is the EU programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)
This year the Energy Information Days will present the new funding opportunities and innovative schemes offered by Horizon 2020’s Work Programme 2018-2020.
Applying for funding is a competitive process, and only the best project proposals will be selected. If you would like to know more about the type of projects we will be looking for, save the date and join us in Brussels next 23, 24 and 25 October 2017.
This year’s Information Days will:
- update you on the European Energy Efficiency policy;
- present you the Energy priorities of the H2020 Energy 2018-2020 calls for proposals;
- provide you with guidance on how to apply for funding;
- offer you dedicated workshops for each funding area e.g. Energy Efficiency, with the opportunity to meet the EASME energy team and receive answers to your questions;
- give you an opportunity to network and find project partners through the National Contact Points Brokerage event.
Registrations will start in September.
Source: https://ec.europa.eu/easme/en/news/save-date-energy-info-days-2017