Deadline Date: December 01, 2026
The European Commission is seeking applications for projects that promote inclusive, climate-resilient, and community-centered approaches to the design and transformation of neighbourhood public spaces through innovative spatial planning and participatory design methods.
The program focuses on inclusive public space design, climate resilience, water resilience, biodiversity, social inclusion, local democracy, civic engagement, community resilience, safety and security, co-creation, accessibility, gender-sensitive planning, cultural and creative collaboration, and sustainable neighbourhood transformation.
The initiative aims to help architects, designers, spatial planners, and neighbourhood decision-makers integrate user perspectives more effectively into the design and transformation of public spaces. Supported projects are expected to deliver positive environmental, social, cultural, and climate impacts while strengthening social cohesion, enhancing civic participation, and fostering a stronger sense of belonging and ownership within communities.
The program recognizes that the design of neighbourhood public spaces shapes not only functionality but also social interactions, power dynamics, mobility, accessibility, and perceptions of safety. Projects are expected to develop and demonstrate innovative approaches that address the diverse needs and experiences of users while accelerating the green transition through participatory and inclusive processes.
Applicants must assess how spatial design influences gendered, age-appropriate, and identity-related patterns of use in public spaces, including mobility, safety, access, and sense of security. Proposed approaches should incorporate innovative methods such as research-by-design, security-by-design, or life-centric design to better understand stakeholder relationships, social values, and community practices linked to neighbourhood public spaces.
Projects are also expected to use co-creation approaches that actively involve inhabitants and integrate perspectives from cultural, creative, and educational sectors. Proposed solutions should address climate resilience, biodiversity, civil security, water resilience, and the overall well-being of users. In addition, projects should evaluate the multisensory perception, beauty, and aesthetics of public spaces while ensuring that the developed approaches are adaptable, scalable, and replicable across different local contexts.
The demonstrated approach must be tested in at least three neighbourhoods located in different EU Member States and/or Associated Countries, covering urban, peri-urban, and rural areas. Projects are also required to develop recommendations and implementation plans that support broader adoption of the demonstrated methods in other green transition areas such as water-resilient planning, procurement, and public service design.
The initiative falls under the European Commission’s broader priorities related to supporting people and communities, protecting democracy and shared values, and advancing Europe’s sustainable prosperity and competitiveness.
The total available funding for the topic is €10,000,000, with individual projects expected to receive around €5,000,000 each.
The opportunity is open to any legal entity regardless of place of establishment, including entities from non-associated third countries and international organizations, provided they meet the eligibility conditions outlined under the Horizon Europe framework. Applicants and affiliated entities must register in the Participant Register and obtain a Participant Identification Code (PIC) before signing the grant agreement.
For more information, visit European Commission.
