Deadline Date: September 16, 2026
The European Commission has launched a funding opportunity to support local and regional authorities in developing actionable and integrated local heating and cooling plans (LHCPs) that accelerate the transition towards clean, secure, and energy-efficient systems across Europe.
The key objectives of this opportunity include delivering actionable and integrated LHCPs aligned with EU and Member State requirements, empowering local and regional authorities through strengthened governance frameworks, and engaging public and private stakeholders to accelerate the decarbonisation of heating and cooling systems at the local level.
This initiative aims to support municipalities and regions in planning efficient, renewable, and resilient heating and cooling systems, which currently account for a significant share of energy use and rely heavily on fossil fuels. By promoting integrated planning approaches, the programme encourages the development of long-term strategies that address infrastructure, buildings, and energy systems while improving energy security and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Proposals are expected to result in the actual delivery of LHCPs that are aligned with national and EU frameworks and developed through participatory processes involving key stakeholders such as citizens, public authorities, energy providers, and businesses. These plans should incorporate detailed data collection, spatial analysis, and tailored decarbonisation measures suited to local conditions. The initiative is supported by an available funding envelope, with an estimated total call budget of EUR 85,500,000 under the LIFE programme and EUR 6,500,000 allocated specifically for this funding opportunity.
The programme places strong emphasis on building technical capacity among policymakers and public officers, enabling them to effectively design, implement, and monitor heating and cooling strategies. It also encourages collaboration across municipalities and regions to pool resources, share expertise, and promote coordinated energy planning at broader territorial levels.
In addition, proposals should identify viable financing mechanisms for implementing LHCP measures, considering both public and private investments, affordability for end users, and the needs of vulnerable populations. Structured stakeholder engagement and streamlined administrative processes are also essential components to ensure successful implementation and long-term impact.
The initiative further aims to establish lasting governance frameworks and institutional structures that will support ongoing planning and implementation of heating and cooling strategies beyond the project duration. Knowledge transfer and replication of LHCP processes in other municipalities are also encouraged to expand the impact across regions.
Projects will be evaluated based on both qualitative and quantitative impacts, including the number of plans developed, stakeholders engaged, governance frameworks established, and measurable energy savings, renewable energy generation, and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
For more information, visit European Commission.
