Boosting the transformation towards climate-neutral cities, the net-zero economy and open strategic autonomy through Pre-Commercial Procurement (PCP)

The call “Boosting the transformation towards climate-neutral cities, the net-zero economy and open strategic autonomy through Pre-Commercial Procurement (PCP)” targets European consortia of public procurers who pre-commercially procure and validate innovative climate protection solutions. R&D procurement activities are funded with up to 100% PCP funding rate (50% for PPI), including personnel and subcontractor costs, procurement expenses, as well as costs for open market consultations. At the core is a multi-phase, competitive process in which at least three independent legal entities from EU Member States or associated countries collaborate to develop novel energy efficiency and emission reduction technologies and test them in real urban environments. Project results must demonstrate approaches to improving urban mobility, building technologies, or renewable energy and contribute to open strategic autonomy. Consortia are expected to work closely with the Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission Platform and, if necessary, provide financial incentives to third parties to accelerate market uptake.

The EU-wide call allows individual applications until 7 October 2027 at 17:00 Brussels time, with the earliest project start on 9 February 2027. Eligible applicants are municipalities, central purchasing bodies, and public institutions advancing the sustainable development of climate-neutral cities. Evaluation criteria include the level of innovation, sustainability aspects, relevance to the target group, and the competitive advantage through open strategic autonomy. An open market consultation prior to the call, the involvement of end-user-oriented stakeholders, and the broadest possible dissemination of results ensure transfer into practice. The measure contributes to the EU Mission “Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities” and promotes European technological leadership on the path to net zero by 2050.