Deadline: 22-Sep-2026
This European Commission funding call supports the development and strengthening of multilevel governance systems for climate and energy policy across Europe. It is part of efforts to improve coordination between different administrative levels and ensure effective implementation of EU climate objectives.
The programme is aligned with the Governance Regulation for the Energy Union and Climate Action and focuses on improving how climate and energy policies are planned, implemented, and monitored.
Core Objective of the Programme
The main objective is to improve coordination and dialogue between governance levels to ensure consistent and effective climate and energy policy implementation across the EU.
Key goals include:
- Strengthening multilevel climate and energy governance systems
- Enhancing cooperation between national, regional, and local authorities
- Improving stakeholder engagement across sectors
- Supporting better implementation of National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs)
- Enhancing monitoring, reporting, and verification systems
- Increasing policy coherence across governance levels
Key Focus Areas
The programme prioritises the following areas:
Multilevel Governance and Coordination
- Strengthening structured dialogue mechanisms
- Improving cooperation between cities, regions, and national governments
- Enhancing vertical and horizontal coordination systems
Stakeholder Engagement
- Involving public authorities, civil society, businesses, and investors
- Ensuring inclusive participation in climate and energy planning
- Supporting meaningful consultation processes
Policy Planning and Implementation
- Improving National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs)
- Aligning local and national climate strategies
- Supporting implementation of energy transition policies
Monitoring and Reporting Systems
- Enhancing reporting frameworks for climate and energy policies
- Improving data consistency across governance levels
- Supporting systems linked to key planning instruments
Relevant frameworks include:
- Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans
- Heating and Cooling Plans
- European Energy Award systems
- National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs)
- National Building Renovation Plans
- Social Climate Plans
Programme Approach and Methodology
The initiative promotes governance models that integrate:
- Top-down policy direction from national/EU levels
- Bottom-up input from local and regional authorities
- Cross-sector collaboration between public and private stakeholders
It focuses on improving coordination processes rather than developing new digital tools, unless a clear added value and scalability case is demonstrated.
Expected Outcomes
Funded projects are expected to:
- Improve consistency in climate and energy policy implementation
- Strengthen coordination between governance levels
- Enhance transparency and reliability of reporting systems
- Support better integration of local and national strategies
- Increase stakeholder participation in decision-making processes
- Improve delivery of EU climate and energy objectives
Funding Details and Duration
- Total funding available: €2,000,000
- Indicative project duration: 36 months
- Number of projects: Limited and competitive selection
Projects must be strategic, well-structured, and demonstrate clear added value for EU governance systems.
Eligible Applicants
Eligible entities include legal organisations from:
- EU Member States
- European Economic Area (EEA) countries
- Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs)
- Countries associated with the LIFE Programme
Key requirement:
- The coordinating organisation must be based in an eligible country
Applicants may include public authorities, research institutions, NGOs, and other organisations involved in governance, policy implementation, or stakeholder coordination.
Selection Priorities
Applications are assessed based on:
- Contribution to multilevel governance improvement
- Strength of stakeholder engagement approach
- Alignment with EU climate and energy policy frameworks
- Quality of coordination mechanisms
- Improvement of reporting and monitoring systems
- Practical implementation feasibility
- Policy impact and scalability across regions
Why This Programme Matters
This initiative is important because it:
- Strengthens coordination across EU climate governance systems
- Improves implementation of national and EU climate targets
- Enhances collaboration between governments and stakeholders
- Reduces policy fragmentation across regions
- Supports more effective climate and energy transition planning
- Improves transparency and accountability in reporting systems
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Proposing standalone tools without integration into governance systems
- Weak stakeholder engagement design
- Lack of alignment with NECPs or EU frameworks
- Poor coordination between governance levels
- Overemphasis on technology development instead of governance processes
- Insufficient demonstration of policy impact
Tips for a Strong Application
- Clearly explain how the project improves multilevel governance
- Include structured stakeholder engagement processes
- Demonstrate alignment with NECPs and EU policy frameworks
- Focus on improving existing systems, not creating new isolated tools
- Show how vertical and horizontal coordination will be strengthened
- Provide measurable improvements in reporting and implementation
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the total funding available?
€2 million in total funding.
How long do projects last?
Projects are expected to last up to 36 months.
Who can apply?
Legal entities from EU Member States, EEA countries, OCTs, and LIFE-associated countries.
What is the main goal of the programme?
To improve coordination and governance of climate and energy policies across multiple levels.
Does the programme fund technology development?
Only if it clearly adds value to governance and is scalable.
What is NECP?
National Energy and Climate Plan, a key policy instrument for EU climate and energy targets.
What is required from the coordinating organisation?
It must be based in an eligible country.
Conclusion
The EU multilevel climate and energy governance grant supports stronger coordination, stakeholder engagement, and policy implementation across Europe. By improving how climate and energy strategies are planned, monitored, and executed across governance levels, the programme strengthens the effectiveness and coherence of the EU’s climate transition framework.
For more information, visit European Commission.