Strategic Integrated Projects “Climate Action” Programme

Deadline: 04-Sep-2025

The European Commission (EC) has launched the Strategic Integrated Projects “Climate Action” Programme.

Objectives

• Applicants should target the implementation of one or more of the following plans/strategies:
  • Final National Energy and Climate Plans (NECP) and Long-Term Strategies (LTS) pursuant to Regulation on the governance of the energy union and climate action (EU) 2018/1999. 2)
  • National adaptation strategies and plans pursuant to Article 5 of the Regulation 2021/1119 (‘European Climate Law’), or regional adaptation strategies or action plans.
  • Urban or community-based action plans pioneering the transition to a climate neutral and/or climate resilient society, including climate-neutral cities plans and actions, for instance in the context of the EU Mission ‘Climate neutral and smart cities and Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans.
  • National, regional or industry-/sector-specific greenhouse gas mitigation strategies or roadmaps contributing to climate neutrality.

Funding Information

• The estimated available call budget is EUR 158 000 000.
• Topic budget: EUR 30 million.
• Indicative range of project budgets: EUR 10-25 million.

Duration

• 60 – 120 months

Eligible Activities

• Scope — Activities that can be funded by Climate change adaptation SIPs:
  • In order to substantially contribute to the implementation of this strategy or plan, SIPs should specify:
    • additional, complementary adaptation actions, which are to be funded by other EU, national or private funding sources;
    • how the project will mobilise complementary funds that can finance activities beyond the scope and timeframe of what is funded by LIFE, like measures to integrate climate adaptation objectives in private investment decisions;
    • auxiliary actions that facilitate the implementation of the overall strategy or plan, such as capacity-building;
    • how the project ensures the involvement and coordination of all relevant levels of government.
• Scope – Activities that can be funded by Urban climate change mitigation and/or adaptation SIPs:
  • SIPs under this category shall support the implementation of urban action plans pioneering the transition to a climate neutral and/or climate resilient society. Projects are encouraged to address the following themes:
    • The implementation of urban adaptation and/or mitigation strategies and action plans, such as those linked to the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy;
    • The development and deployment of innovative climate solutions for adaptation (CSFA) in urban areas, including in the water, energy and construction sectors, promoting and developing blue and green infrastructure, contributing to nature conservation and biodiversity objectives in urban areas; and implementing public-private partnerships on climate change resilience;
    • The implementation of urban and/or rural low-carbon, low-emission strategies, including transport and mobility, renewable energy generation, storage and use (electric power and/or heat) within the urban area, district heating, energy efficiency and decarbonisation of public and private buildings, low-emission city lighting, carbon removals in nature-based solutions and bio-based carbon storage products.
• Scope – Activities that can be funded by Climate change mitigation SIPs: 
  • SIPs falling under the area of climate change mitigation shall support the implementation of greenhouse gas mitigation strategies, action plans or roadmaps contributing to climate neutrality.
  • specific municipalities or regions (e.g. as indicated by the Global Covenant of Mayors);
  • industrial sectors;
  • agriculture, forestry and other land uses (e.g. setting out public programmes to reward land managers for nature-based solutions -such as peatland rewetting based on the Carbon Removal and Carbon Farming (CRCF) Regulation framework);
  • other economic sectors (e.g. maritime transport, aviation, finance) by promoting and implementing sustainable technologies and services.

Expected Impact

• By the end of the project: at least substantial contribution to the implementation of the targeted plan/strategy, and mechanisms established to ensure full implementation of the plan/strategy.
• After the project (3-5 years after): catalysing full implementation of the targeted plan(s)/strategy(ies)/action plan(s).

Eligibility Criteria

• In order to be eligible, the applicants (beneficiaries and affiliated entities) must:
  • be legal entities (public or private bodies)
  • be established in one of the eligible countries, i.e.:
    • EU Member States (including overseas countries and territories (OCTs))
    • non-EU countries:
      • listed EEA countries and countries associated to the LIFE Programme
    • the coordinator must be established in an eligible country.

For more information, visit EC.