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Strategic Analysis
This Horizon Europe Innovation Action focuses on deploying and scaling innovative urban nature-based solutions to restore urban ecosystems, particularly along transport networks and in the built environment. A winning proposal will demonstrate concrete, replicable approaches for increasing urban green spaces and tree canopy cover, delivering measurable impacts on climate resilience, biodiversity, and human well-being, while actively engaging local communities and ensuring long-term sustainability.
TRL 7 → 8
Develop and test approaches, tools and methods to understand how different patterns of urban green space and tree canopy cover impact on local temperature regulation / heat island effect, biodiversity, water scarcity, stormwater and landslide management, local air quality; and how changing / increasing the distribution / quantity / quality / connectivity of urban green space and tree canopy cover could help build more resilient and biodiverse urban ecosystems.
Identify obstacles and barriers limiting the development of urban green spaces and tree planting / maintenance, including governance aspects, interface issues between green structures and underground infrastructure (underground pipes, etc.) and overall root growth and survival, water scarcity and the shortage of supplies of native tree seedlings. Develop innovative solutions that address such barriers and ensure the sustainability of urban green spaces and trees.
Develop innovative measures and practices to increase urban green space and tree canopy cover, with consideration of what types of trees or other plants are best suited to enhancing local biodiversity, prioritizing native species, supporting climate mitigation and adaptation, reducing air pollution, improving human health and quality of life while ensuring connectivity to avoid isolated or fragmented solutions.
Explore multifunctional solutions, addressing infrastructure and urban planning that can bring co-benefits on aspects such as managing stormwater, enhancing biodiversity, providing recreational spaces, sheltering from extreme weather, reducing inequitable access to nature, improving air quality, reducing noise, improving accessibility.
deploy innovative measures and practices to increase urban green spaces and/or tree canopy cover in at least two pilot sites in two lead cities, including at least one pilot site along an urban transport network or in the built environment.
involve local communities, including disadvantaged groups, and local stakeholders, including public and private land and property owners, in the design and development of these measures and practices
monitor, evaluate and assess the environmental, economic, social and health impacts of the measures taken in the pilot sites [2] .
outline plans for ensuring the sustainability and legacy of the efforts beyond the project's duration.
Development of approaches, tools and methods, on how and where to restore, increase and maintain urban green space and tree canopy cover to achieve the greatest positive impacts - on climate mitigation, adaptation and resilience, biodiversity, soil, air and water quality, quality of life, and human health.
Uptake and deployment of solutions to map, restore, increase and maintain urban green space and tree canopy cover, via pilot sites in lead cities, including along urban transport networks [1] .
Monitoring, evaluation and assessment of the environmental, economic, social and health impacts of the solutions deployed in pilot sites, including co-benefits and trade-offs.
Focus on Critical Infrastructures
Cross-border resilience
Nature Restoration Regulation
highThe Nature Restoration Regulation is a landmark legislative proposal aiming to put in place legally binding targets for nature restoration across a range of ecosystems, from land to sea, throughout the EU. It seeks to reverse biodiversity loss, help mitigate climate change, and enhance the resilience of ecosystems, contributing significantly to the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030.
Evaluators expect proposals to clearly demonstrate how they contribute to the objectives of the Nature Restoration Regulation, particularly by integrating concrete nature restoration measures within urban and peri-urban areas, along transport networks, or within the built environment. This includes detailing the types of ecosystems to be restored, the methods used, and the expected ecological benefits and societal co-benefits, ensuring alignment with the regulation's targets and principles.
July 2023 Communication on EU Missions assessment
mediumThis communication provides an assessment of the first two years of the EU Missions, which are a new instrument under Horizon Europe designed to tackle major societal challenges. It evaluates their progress, identifies successes and challenges, and offers recommendations for their future implementation and impact, aiming to enhance their effectiveness and visibility.
Proposals should demonstrate an understanding of the EU Missions' objectives and how the proposed work contributes to their overarching goals, particularly if related to a specific mission (e.g., '100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities', 'A Soil Deal for Europe'). Evaluators will look for alignment with the mission-oriented approach, focusing on impact, citizen engagement, and cross-sectoral collaboration, as highlighted in the assessment.
1. Admissibility conditions — Proposal page limit and layout described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.
2. Eligible Countries — described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide .
3. Other Eligibility Conditions — The following additional eligibility criteria apply: Entities from at least four cities, each from a different Member State or Associated Country, must participate as beneficiaries. At least one of the four cities must be one of the 112 cities selected for the EU Mission on Climate-neutral and Smart Cities[[ The EU Mission on Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities aims to deliver 100 climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030 and ensure that these cities act as experimentation and innovation hubs to enable all European cities to follow suit by 2050. On 28 April 2022, the Commission announced the 100 EU cities that will participate in the Mission. In addition, 12 cities have been selected from countries associated or expected to be associated the Horizon Europe programme.]] and at least one must be a signatory to the Adaptation Mission Charter [[See the list of Charter Signatories https://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/en/mission/the-mission/regions-and-local-authorities]]. described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
4. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion — described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.
5a. Evaluation and award: Award criteria, scoring and thresholds — described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.
5b. Evaluation and award: Submission and evaluation processes — described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual .
5c. Evaluation and award: Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement — described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.
6. Legal and financial set-up of the grants — Grants awarded under this topic will be linked to the following action(s): Collaboration with the Cities Mission Platform[[Conceived through the Horizon 2020 project NetZeroCities - Accelerating cities' transition to net zero emissions by 2030, Grant Agreement n. 101036519, and scaled up through the topic HORIZON-MISS-2021-CIT-02-03: Framework Partnership Agreement (FPA) for the Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission Platform. ]] and the Mission Adaptation’s Platform[[Initially established by MIP4Adapt and extended under the contract CINEA/2025/OP/0014]] is essential and projects must ensure that appropriate provisions for activities and resources aimed at enforcing this collaboration are included in the work plan of the proposal. The collaboration with the Mission Platform must be formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding to be concluded as soon as possible after the project starting date. described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.
described in the [specific topic of the Work Programme]
Application form templates Please use the application form that you will find in the Submission System. You can find examples of standard application forms in the Reference Documents page . Evaluation form templates — will be used with the necessary adaptations Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA) Guidance HE Programme Guide Model Grant Agreements (MGA) HE MGA Call-specific instructions
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 12. Missions HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 14. Horizontal Activities HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 15. General Annexes HE Framework Programme and Rules for Participation Regulation 2021/695 HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764 EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509 Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement
Evaluators will prioritize proposals that present highly innovative, yet mature (TRL 7-8), solutions with strong potential for real-world impact and replicability across diverse urban contexts. A clear methodology for monitoring and assessing environmental, economic, social, and health co-benefits, alongside a robust plan for community and stakeholder engagement (including disadvantaged groups), is crucial. Alignment with the New European Bauhaus principles and the EU Missions (Climate-Neutral Cities, Adaptation) will be key differentiators, as will explicit plans for sustainability beyond the project duration.
Everything the call asks for, seen from the call's point of view. Each line shows what answers it, and which partner carries it.
This matrix lists everything the call asks for: outcomes, impacts, scope, the requirements buried in the call text, and policy alignment. Sign up free and GrantForge tracks each line against the concept you build.
| Requirement | Covered by | Carried | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope activities | |||
| SC1Develop and test approaches, tools and methods to understand how different patterns of urban green space and tree canopy cover impact on local temperature regulation / heat island effect, biodiversity, water scarcity, stormwater and landslide management, local air quality; and how changing / increasing the distribution / quantity / quality / connectivity of urban green space and tree canopy cover could help build more resilient and biodiverse urban ecosystems. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC2Identify obstacles and barriers limiting the development of urban green spaces and tree planting / maintenance, including governance aspects, interface issues between green structures and underground infrastructure (underground pipes, etc.) and overall root growth and survival, water scarcity and the shortage of supplies of native tree seedlings. Develop innovative solutions that address such barriers and ensure the sustainability of urban green spaces and trees. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC3Develop innovative measures and practices to increase urban green space and tree canopy cover, with consideration of what types of trees or other plants are best suited to enhancing local biodiversity, prioritizing native species, supporting climate mitigation and adaptation, reducing air pollution, improving human health and quality of life while ensuring connectivity to avoid isolated or fragmented solutions. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC4Explore multifunctional solutions, addressing infrastructure and urban planning that can bring co-benefits on aspects such as managing stormwater, enhancing biodiversity, providing recreational spaces, sheltering from extreme weather, reducing inequitable access to nature, improving air quality, reducing noise, improving accessibility. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC5deploy innovative measures and practices to increase urban green spaces and/or tree canopy cover in at least two pilot sites in two lead cities, including at least one pilot site along an urban transport network or in the built environment. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC6involve local communities, including disadvantaged groups, and local stakeholders, including public and private land and property owners, in the design and development of these measures and practices | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC7monitor, evaluate and assess the environmental, economic, social and health impacts of the measures taken in the pilot sites [2] . | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC8outline plans for ensuring the sustainability and legacy of the efforts beyond the project's duration. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected outcomes | |||
| EO1Development of approaches, tools and methods, on how and where to restore, increase and maintain urban green space and tree canopy cover to achieve the greatest positive impacts - on climate mitigation, adaptation and resilience, biodiversity, soil, air and water quality, quality of life, and human health. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO2Uptake and deployment of solutions to map, restore, increase and maintain urban green space and tree canopy cover, via pilot sites in lead cities, including along urban transport networks [1] . | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO3Monitoring, evaluation and assessment of the environmental, economic, social and health impacts of the solutions deployed in pilot sites, including co-benefits and trade-offs. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Other requirements | |||
| No other requirements in this call. | |||
| Expected impacts | |||
| EI1Focus on Critical Infrastructures | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI2Cross-border resilience | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Underlying policies | |||
| POL1nature restoration regulationThe Nature Restoration Regulation is a landmark legislative proposal aiming to put in place legally binding targets for nature restoration across a range of ecosystems, from land to sea, throughout the EU. It seeks to reverse biodiversity loss, help mitigate climate change, and enhance the resilience of ecosystems, contributing significantly to the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. | · | · | Sign up to track |
The binding rules of this call. Items marked auto are verified by GrantForge from the call and the template. The others are yours to confirm.
LMIC entities auto-eligible
Low/middle-income country entities are automatically eligible for funding.
EU space data infrastructures
If the project uses satellite-based Earth observation, positioning, navigation or timing data/services, beneficiaries must use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS. Other sources may be added but not substitute EU infrastructures.
Civil applications only
Horizon Europe funds exclusively civil applications. Research with exclusive military or dual-use application is excluded.
Gender Equality Plan
Having a Gender Equality Plan (GEP) is an eligibility criterion for public bodies, research organisations, and higher education institutions from Member States and Associated Countries.
Open Science
Mandatory open access to peer-reviewed scientific publications and responsible management of research data (FAIR principles, DMP required).
Talk to the Grant Coach to build your concept. The steps below fill in as it takes shape, and your coverage tracks the progress. You can refine everything once your project workspace is created.
Step 1 of 2 · Build your concept
The problems this call frames, and who they affect. Your concept and plan address them.
Current urban planning often lacks integrated approaches, leading to fragmented green spaces and missed opportunities for multifunctional solutions that address climate, biodiversity, and social needs simultaneously.
Cities face numerous obstacles, including governance complexities, conflicts with underground infrastructure, water scarcity, and limited availability of native plant materials, which hinder the widespread implementation and sustainability of urban green spaces and tree planting initiatives.
There is a lack of comprehensive data and robust methods to fully understand and quantify the combined environmental, economic, social, and health impacts of urban nature restoration, making it difficult to justify investments and optimize interventions.
Many urban greening projects fail to adequately involve local communities, including disadvantaged groups, and private stakeholders in their design and implementation, leading to reduced ownership, less effective solutions, and missed opportunities for social co-benefits.
City administrations, urban planning departments, and public works agencies responsible for urban development, infrastructure, and environmental management.
Professionals involved in the design, planning, and development of urban spaces and built environments.
Entities responsible for the planning, construction, and maintenance of urban transport networks.
Owners and managers of land and properties within urban areas, whose involvement is crucial for implementing greening solutions.
Residents of urban areas, including disadvantaged groups, who will participate in the design, implementation, and benefit from the improved urban environment.
Small and medium-sized enterprises specializing in nature-based solutions, green infrastructure development, urban planning technologies, and environmental monitoring.
Academics and researchers in urban ecology, climate science, environmental engineering, social sciences, and public health, benefiting from new data, methods, and case studies.
Officials responsible for developing and implementing environmental, climate, and urban development policies, who will use project outcomes to inform future strategies.
Non-governmental organizations focused on environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable urban development, who can amplify project results and advocate for wider adoption.
Step 2 of 2 · Build your concept
The long-term impacts your project should drive — this shapes the objectives next.
The project will enhance the capacity of urban transport networks and built environments to withstand and adapt to climate-related hazards through integrated green infrastructure, reducing damages and service disruptions.
By integrating green infrastructure along urban transport networks, the project will contribute to mitigating the environmental footprint of urban mobility, including reductions in GHG emissions and air pollution.
The project's solutions and methodologies will be replicable and transferable, leading to a broader adoption of effective climate adaptation strategies in cities throughout Europe, enhancing their overall resilience.
The restoration and increase of urban green spaces, prioritizing native species and connectivity, will lead to a measurable enhancement of urban biodiversity and the provision of vital ecosystem services such as pollination, pest control, and soil health.
By creating more accessible, greener, and healthier urban spaces, the project will contribute to improved physical and mental well-being for urban residents, including reduced heat stress and increased opportunities for recreation.
The strategic deployment of urban green spaces and tree canopy cover will effectively reduce air pollutants, leading to a significant improvement in urban air quality and associated public health benefits.