Background

The European Urban Initiative (EUI) is a key EU funding mechanism supporting sustainable and innovative urban development: Funded by the EU Regional Development Fund, this initiative provides financial means to European cities of all sizes aiming to drive urban innovation through local pilot projects. In particular, the EUI Innovative Actions (EUI-IA) regularly launches calls to fund projects from cities aiming to test new and scalable solutions to key urban challenges. 

Currently, the EUI is running its fourth EUI-IA call for proposals: This call funds projects that are ready to implement, build on existing initiatives or strategies, and can deliver measurable results within a 2-year project timeframe. The call targets projects under six thematic areas, one of which is “Topic 1: Competitiveness, digitalisation, innovation and investment”. 

Objective

The Living-in.EU Financial WG aims to help cities and regions explore their financial needs, share best practices and foster collaboration to effectively fund digital transformation at the local level. A key part of the WG’s objectives includes helping public authorities understand the EU funding landscape, identify financial opportunities and tools, and encourage joint applications to relevant calls.

This Financial WG webinar aims to provide cities and regions with an overview of the EUI and its scope, and dive deeper into the current fourth EUI-IA call for proposals. Cities selected under the previous EUI call will showcase ongoing projects under the category “Technology in cities” and their experience with funding from EUI. Finally, participants will have the opportunity to exchange with experts from EUI and cities, and explore each other’s priorities and plans related to the current fourth call.

If you are planning to apply to the 4th EUI-IA call and would like to share your proposal or call for partners, this webinar is your opportunity: Please contact luca.kerscher@eurocities.eu by April 20, 2026. 

Agenda

1. Welcome and introduction
2. Overview of the European Urban Initiative and the fourth EUI-IA call for proposals: Camille Degryse, Project officer, European Urban Initiative
3. Cities' experiences with current projects running under EUI-IA Call 3
4. Pitches from cities for EUI-IA Call 4 and matchmaking discussion
5. Closing