Deadline Date: September 16, 2026
The European Commission is inviting applications to support energy communities through the creation and reinforcement of second-level communities and the implementation of community-led energy projects in emerging areas across eligible countries.
The programme focuses on mutualising services for member communities, supporting the development and implementation of new energy community projects, strengthening governance and democratic participation, renewable heating and cooling, energy efficiency measures in buildings, provision of flexibility services including demand response and smart charging, electromobility services supporting renewable energy integration, peer-to-peer learning, access to finance, project incubation, capacity building, and inclusive community approaches.
Proposals under both scopes are expected to demonstrate concrete qualitative and quantitative impacts. Expected outcomes include the operationalisation of new mutualised services, measurable progress in project implementation, increased stakeholder skills, and support for new energy community projects. Applicants should quantify impacts related to the number of energy community projects triggered, the number of communities benefiting from support, stakeholder capacity development, renewable energy generation, greenhouse gas emission reductions, energy savings, and sustainable energy investments.
The total funding available for the call is €7,000,000 under the LIFE Project Grants programme. Eligible applicants must be legal entities, either public or private bodies, established in EU Member States, eligible EEA countries, or countries associated with the LIFE Programme. The coordinator must be established in an eligible country. International organisations are also eligible, while natural persons are generally not eligible except for self-employed sole traders without separate legal personality. Applicants and affiliated entities must register in the Participant Register and complete validation procedures before proposal submission.
For more information, visit European Commission.
