Deadline: 15-Sep-2026
The Partnership for Future-Proof Major Cities is a climate and urban transformation funding programme supporting major cities in developing resilience against climate risks and accelerating socio-ecological change. It focuses on climate adaptation, urban planning innovation, mobility, public space improvement, and institutional resilience.
The programme is implemented through public-public cooperation involving major cities, the Federal Ministry for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure, and the Climate and Energy Fund under the “Climate-neutral city” mission. Each city can receive up to €700,000 from a total programme budget of approximately €8 million.
What Is the Partnership for Future-Proof Major Cities?
The Partnership for Future-Proof Major Cities is a strategic urban development programme designed to help cities become more resilient, sustainable, and climate-neutral.
It supports large-scale urban transformation by funding innovative projects that address environmental, social, and institutional challenges in cities.
The programme is part of a broader mission to achieve climate-neutral urban development through coordinated public-sector collaboration.
Programme Objectives
The initiative aims to strengthen cities by integrating climate action with urban development planning.
Key objectives include:
- Strengthening urban resilience to climate-related risks
- Supporting climate change adaptation strategies
- Improving environmental and public health conditions
- Enhancing quality of life in urban areas
- Promoting active mobility and sustainable transport systems
- Improving urban public spaces
- Strengthening architectural and urban design culture
- Encouraging social participation in city planning
- Building institutional and systemic resilience
- Supporting sustainable financing models for urban transformation
- Managing long-term operational and follow-up costs
Core Focus Areas
Climate Resilience and Adaptation
Cities are supported in developing strategies to:
- Reduce vulnerability to climate hazards
- Adapt infrastructure to extreme weather events
- Integrate climate risk into urban planning
- Improve environmental sustainability
Urban Mobility and Public Space
The programme promotes:
- Active mobility (walking and cycling infrastructure)
- Sustainable transport systems
- Better-designed public spaces
- Reduced urban congestion and emissions
Health and Environmental Quality
Projects aim to improve:
- Air quality
- Urban heat management
- Green infrastructure
- Public health outcomes in cities
Social and Institutional Resilience
The programme strengthens:
- Community participation in urban planning
- Institutional coordination and governance
- Social inclusion in transformation processes
- Long-term administrative capacity
Systemic Urban Transformation
The initiative supports holistic transformation approaches, including:
- Integrated urban planning models
- Cross-sector collaboration
- Structural change in city governance
- Innovation in financing and implementation
Programme Structure and Governance
The programme is built on a public-public cooperation model.
Key Partners
- Major participating cities
- Federal Ministry for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure
- Climate and Energy Fund
Strategic Framework
The programme operates under the joint mission:
- “Climate-neutral city”
This ensures alignment with national climate and urban sustainability goals.
Funding Overview
The programme provides significant financial support for selected cities.
Key funding details:
- Maximum funding per city: up to €700,000
- Total programme budget: approximately €8 million
- Funding source: Federal Ministry for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure and Climate and Energy Fund
- Funding purpose: Urban resilience and transformation projects
Funding is allocated to cities implementing innovative, scalable, and integrated urban solutions.
Eligible Applicants
The programme is specifically targeted at:
- Major cities
- Urban municipalities participating in the programme framework
Cities are expected to demonstrate capacity for integrated planning and implementation of complex urban transformation projects.
Implementation Approach
The programme follows a structured transformation model:
Step 1: Application and Selection
Cities submit proposals outlining integrated urban resilience strategies.
Step 2: Project Design
Selected cities develop detailed action plans covering:
- Climate adaptation measures
- Urban infrastructure improvements
- Social and institutional components
Step 3: Funding Allocation
Approved cities receive up to €700,000 in funding.
Step 4: Implementation
Cities implement pilot or pioneer projects focusing on urban transformation.
Step 5: Monitoring and Evaluation
Projects are assessed based on:
- Climate resilience outcomes
- Social impact
- Implementation effectiveness
- Scalability and long-term sustainability
Expected Outcomes
The programme aims to deliver systemic improvements in urban environments, including:
- Increased resilience to climate risks
- Improved urban livability
- Enhanced mobility systems
- Stronger public participation in city planning
- Better integration of environmental and social policies
- Improved institutional coordination
- Scalable models for climate-neutral urban development
Key Principles
The programme is guided by several core principles:
- Integrated urban planning (technical + social + institutional)
- Climate-neutral development pathways
- Cross-sector collaboration
- Long-term sustainability
- Citizen participation in transformation processes
- Systemic rather than isolated interventions
Why This Programme Matters
The Partnership for Future-Proof Major Cities is important because it:
- Helps cities adapt to climate change impacts
- Promotes sustainable urban development
- Strengthens governance and institutional capacity
- Encourages innovation in city planning
- Improves quality of life for urban residents
- Supports long-term climate neutrality goals
It shifts urban development from fragmented projects to integrated transformation strategies.
Tips for a Strong Application
Cities can strengthen their proposals by:
- Demonstrating clear climate risk analysis
- Integrating social, environmental, and technical measures
- Showing strong citizen participation mechanisms
- Including measurable resilience outcomes
- Ensuring long-term financial sustainability
- Highlighting scalability of solutions
- Aligning with climate-neutral city objectives
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid the following:
- Focusing only on technical solutions without social components
- Weak integration across sectors
- Lack of long-term implementation planning
- Insufficient climate adaptation evidence
- Poor stakeholder engagement strategy
- Unclear funding allocation or sustainability model
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Partnership for Future-Proof Major Cities?
It is a climate resilience and urban transformation programme supporting cities in adapting to climate change and improving sustainability.
How much funding is available?
Each city can receive up to €700,000, with a total programme budget of around €8 million.
Who can apply?
Major cities participating in the programme framework under the climate-neutral city mission.
What does the programme focus on?
Climate adaptation, urban mobility, public spaces, health, governance, and systemic urban transformation.
What is the main goal?
To make cities more resilient, sustainable, and climate-neutral through integrated planning and innovation.
Is citizen participation required?
Yes. Social participation is a key component of the programme.
What kind of projects are funded?
Projects that combine technical, social, and institutional approaches to urban resilience and climate adaptation.
Conclusion
The Partnership for Future-Proof Major Cities is a forward-looking urban transformation initiative that supports cities in building climate resilience and advancing toward climate neutrality. By combining funding, institutional collaboration, and integrated planning, the programme enables cities to implement scalable solutions that improve sustainability, mobility, public health, and quality of life.
It represents a shift toward holistic urban development that addresses both environmental and socio-institutional dimensions of future cities.
For more information, visit Climate and Energy Fund.