With its 4th Call for Proposals, the Urban Innovative Actions (UIA) is inviting urban authorities to develop and submit proposals, which address urban challenges by testing novel and unproven solutions. For projects located in England, France, the Netherlands, and Belgium, Interreg 2 Seas is likewise looking for proposals on innovative low-carbon technologies in the transport sector.

Urban Innovative Actions

As an Initiative of the European Union, the UIA provides urban European areas with resources to test new and unproven solutions to address urban challenges. Amongst the topics of the 4^th Call, two are particularly relevant for urban authorities with an interest in cycling projects.

• The first of these topics is on sustainable use of land and nature based solutions. The UIA will consider projects aimed at improving the quality of life in cities by targeting issues such as noise reduction, recreation opportunities, pollution, etc.; renaturing cities by improving the ecological connectedness between urban and peri-urban areas; and creating jobs that strengthen social cohesion, diversify local economies, and spur innovative and sustainable business and governance models.

• The second relevant topic concerns projects on digital transition. UIA calls for projects, which examine the implementation of smart cities solutions such as integrated infrastructures and sustainable urban mobility. Proposals aspiring to accelerate the adoption of emerging digital technologies aimed at modernizing urban infrastructure and services are furthermore welcomed.

Who is eligible to apply?

• Any urban authority of a local administrative unit defined according to the degree of urbanization as city, town or suburb comprising at least 50 000 inhabitants
• Any association or grouping of urban authorities; this can include cross-border associations or groupings, associations or groupings in different regions and/or Member States
   

An overall budget of approximately 80-100 million euro is allocated to this Call.
The deadline for submitting applications is 31 January 2019 at 14:00 CET.
More information can be found on https://www.uia-initiative.eu/en/call-proposals

Interreg 2 Seas

Striving to develop shared solutions to common challenges in fields such as health and transport, the European Territorial Cooperation Program, Interreg 2 Seas, calls for projects in the English, French, Dutch, and Belgian transport sectors. A priority area of the Interreg 2 Seas is to increase the adoption of low-carbon technologies and applications in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, exploit the potential of renewable technologies, and reinforce their public acceptance. To contribute towards reaching this objective, projects should aim to enhance the uptake of state-of-the art solutions; test and demonstrate technologies and applications to pave the way for their wider uptake; and promote a closer, more effective and operational cooperation of businesses, knowledge institutes, and public sector.

Who is eligible to apply?

• Public bodies, public equivalent bodies, not for profit organizations, and private bodies are eligible to apply for funding
   

Projects may be financed for up to 60 % of their total budget.
The deadline for submitting a Concept Note is 21 December 2018 at 23:59 CET.
More information on this call can be found on https://www.interreg2seas.eu/en/content/low-carbon-technologies

At the ECF, we will be very happy to hear about your project ideas so do not hesitate to contact us.