Energy efficient urban and sub-urban public transport, complemented by shared mobility

The funding program aims to increase the energy efficiency and attractiveness of public transport in urban and suburban areas, as well as the complementary integration of shared mobility services. Within a consortium of at least three lead cities from different EU Member States or associated countries, along with three follower cities, innovative solutions are explored, tested, and scaled. Participants benefit from a grant covering up to 70% of eligible costs (personnel, material and travel expenses, external services, and subcontractor costs) and receive project funding of up to €10 million per initiative. The planned pilot projects focus on the electrification of urban and suburban transport, the optimization of multimodal mobility chains, and the analysis of mobility data using digital solutions and AI. Based on a comprehensive inventory, guidelines for policymakers, operators, and local administrations are developed, and recommendations for action are adopted.

Submissions are made via the EU funding portal from 4 February 2026 to 8 October 2026 in a single-stage procedure. Evaluation is based on the criteria of “Excellence,” “Impact,” and “Quality and efficiency of the implementation,” with the quality and viability of the consortium as well as the scalability of the solutions being key factors. Projects conducted in close collaboration with the Cities Mission Platform and enabling the exchange of best practices among participating cities are supported. Accompanying dissemination and communication measures, as well as activities for the propagation and replication of project results, are planned. The outcomes are intended to directly contribute to achieving climate neutrality goals, reducing emissions, and creating better, connected mobility options for citizens across Europe.