Deadline: 01-Dec-2026
The European Commission has launched a Horizon Europe funding opportunity with a total budget of €9 million to support innovative approaches for reusing vacant, obsolete, and underutilised spaces. The initiative aims to help communities transform unused buildings and infrastructure into sustainable, inclusive, and locally beneficial spaces through structured planning and stakeholder collaboration.
Program Overview
This programme supports the development of long-term and context-sensitive solutions that improve the use of existing buildings, vacant infrastructure, and underused spaces across Europe. The initiative seeks to create systematic methods that help communities address local social, environmental, cultural, and economic challenges.
The programme promotes moving beyond temporary or isolated redevelopment actions and instead focuses on structured approaches that can create sustainable and adaptable community solutions.
The initiative also contributes to broader goals related to land efficiency, sustainable development, and improved use of existing infrastructure and buildings.
Focus Areas and Program Objectives
The programme supports several priorities related to neighbourhood development and sustainable space use.
Key objectives include:
• Reusing vacant and obsolete spaces
• Improving use of underutilised infrastructure
• Supporting neighbourhood development
• Assessing local community needs
• Identifying and prioritising reusable spaces
• Understanding drivers of vacancy and underuse
• Strengthening stakeholder participation
• Supporting co-creation approaches
• Promoting circularity principles
• Supporting sufficiency principles
• Improving environmental sustainability
• Strengthening social inclusion
• Preserving cultural value
• Increasing economic efficiency
• Supporting climate resilience
• Protecting biodiversity
• Developing funding and financing models
Expected Outcomes
Projects funded under this initiative are expected to create measurable benefits.
Expected outcomes include:
• Improved use of existing buildings and spaces
• Reduced pressure on land development
• Better housing efficiency
• Stronger community engagement
• Improved social and environmental outcomes
• Enhanced climate resilience
• Sustainable neighbourhood development approaches
• Replicable models for different communities
• Improved policy and governance recommendations
Priority Research and Innovation Areas
The programme supports multiple activities across planning, community engagement, and sustainable development.
Space Identification and Analysis
Activities may include:
• Identification of vacant spaces
• Mapping underutilised infrastructure
• Prioritisation of reuse opportunities
• Analysis of vacancy causes
Community Needs Assessment
Activities may include:
• Local needs analysis
• Social impact assessments
• Cultural value assessments
• Economic impact analysis
Co-Creation and Stakeholder Engagement
Activities may include:
• Community participation activities
• Stakeholder consultations
• Collaborative planning processes
• Local governance engagement
Sustainability and Circular Approaches
Activities may include:
• Circular economy solutions
• Resource efficiency approaches
• Environmental impact reduction strategies
• Biodiversity protection initiatives
Funding and Governance Mechanisms
Activities may include:
• Financing model development
• Governance structure design
• Community oversight mechanisms
• Policy recommendations
Key Concepts Explained
Vacant spaces refer to buildings or land that are unused or abandoned for extended periods.
Underutilised spaces are buildings or infrastructure that exist but are not being used efficiently or at full capacity.
Brownfield land refers to previously developed sites that may be abandoned or no longer actively used.
Circularity principles focus on reducing waste and maximizing resource use through reuse and sustainable management practices.
Sufficiency principles involve reducing resource consumption by making better use of existing assets and infrastructure.
Co-creation refers to collaborative decision-making where communities and stakeholders actively participate in developing solutions.
Challenges That Projects Must Address
Applicants are expected to consider multiple challenges that can affect successful implementation.
Potential challenges include:
• Overcrowding risks
• Loss of green spaces
• Affordability concerns
• Displacement risks
• Gentrification impacts
• Legal barriers
• Regulatory constraints
• Limited data availability
• Funding limitations
Projects must also identify governance measures where existing spaces already provide ecological or social functions.
Validation Requirements
Projects must demonstrate practical implementation and validation.
Requirements include:
• Validation in at least three neighbourhoods
• Inclusion of urban contexts
• Inclusion of peri-urban contexts
• Inclusion of rural contexts
• Participation from different Member States and/or Associated Countries
Funding Information
Funding is available under the Horizon Europe framework.
Funding details include:
• Total programme budget: €9,000,000
• Indicative funding per project: Approximately €4,500,000
• Funding type: Research and innovation projects
Who is Eligible?
Participation is open to a broad range of organizations and institutions.
Eligible applicants include:
• Legal entities established under national law
• Organizations established under European Union law
• International organizations
• Eligible entities from non-associated third countries
• Research institutions
• Universities
• Public organizations
• Private organizations
Applicants must meet Horizon Europe participation requirements.
Why This Opportunity Matters
Many communities face challenges related to vacant buildings, underused infrastructure, and inefficient land use. Reusing existing spaces can help reduce environmental impacts while creating stronger and more inclusive neighbourhoods.
Potential benefits include:
• Reduced land consumption
• Improved neighbourhood revitalisation
• Stronger community participation
• Better use of existing infrastructure
• Increased sustainability outcomes
• Improved affordability and accessibility
• Greater social and environmental value
What Applicants Need to Do
Organizations planning to apply should develop proposals aligned with programme objectives.
Recommended actions include:
• Conduct vacancy and infrastructure assessments
• Identify priority spaces for reuse
• Assess community needs and impacts
• Develop co-creation methods
• Include sustainability and biodiversity considerations
• Design governance and financing models
• Demonstrate validation strategies across neighbourhoods
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid common proposal weaknesses.
Common mistakes include:
• Limited stakeholder involvement
• Weak community needs assessments
• Ignoring affordability or displacement concerns
• Lack of sustainability planning
• Limited validation strategies
• Weak governance structures
• Missing financing approaches
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of this funding programme?
The initiative supports structured approaches to reusing vacant and underutilised spaces for community development and sustainability.
How much funding is available?
The programme has a total budget of €9 million, with approximately €4.5 million available per project.
What types of spaces can be included?
Projects may focus on vacant buildings, obsolete infrastructure, underutilised facilities, and brownfield land.
Must projects involve communities?
Yes. Co-creation and stakeholder participation are mandatory programme components.
What locations must be included in project validation?
Projects must validate solutions in urban, peri-urban, and rural neighbourhoods across different Member States or Associated Countries.
Can international organizations participate?
Yes. International organizations and eligible entities from non-associated third countries may participate under Horizon Europe conditions.
What major risks should projects address?
Projects should consider affordability issues, gentrification, displacement risks, environmental impacts, and governance challenges.
Conclusion
The European Commission’s initiative on reusing vacant and underutilised spaces supports sustainable and community-focused approaches that improve neighbourhood development and resource efficiency. Through stakeholder engagement, innovative planning methods, and long-term sustainability strategies, the programme aims to create adaptable solutions that strengthen communities across Europe.
For more information, visit European Commission.