Climate Adaptation.Communities.NRW
Call for proposals to strengthen municipal climate resilience in North Rhine-Westphalia: Investment and low-threshold climate adaptation measures for cities, municipalities, and districts. Current submission round until 29.01.2026 (Procedure 1) or 31.12.2026 (Procedure 2).
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Funding of measures to adapt to the negative impacts of climate change at the municipal level: protection against heat, drought, flooding, and extreme weather events through de-sealing, greening, rainwater retention, sponge city elements, shading measures, climate-adapted redesigns of public spaces, as well as participation of vulnerable groups.
Eligible expenses
- Construction and infrastructure measures
- Unsealing and greening
- Rainwater management
- Climate control systems
- Planning services
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Eligible to apply
- Public Institutions
- Educational Institutions
- Foundations
Funding requirements
- Registered office or establishment in NRW
- Thematically, temporally, and financially delimited project
- Proof of own funds and financing
- Eligibility only for enrolling target groups
- No double funding
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Documents required for application
- Project outline
- Proof of climate resilience
- Financing plan and liquidity proof
- Participation concept
Evaluation criteria
- Conceptual approach, quality and plausibility of the implementation strategy
- Appropriateness of resource use, model character and transferability
- Contribution to gender equality and non-discrimination as well as ecological, economic and social sustainability
- Contribution to the quality of life of people
- Effectiveness in adapting to climate impacts
- Affectedness and vulnerability of the target groups or the area
Description
The call for municipal climate adaptation in North Rhine-Westphalia supports investment and low-threshold measures that make cities, municipalities, and districts more resilient to heat, drought, heavy rainfall, and extreme weather events. The goal is to increase local climate resilience through de-sealing, greening, rainwater storage, sponge city elements, shading and drinking water provisions, as well as climate-adapted redesigns of public spaces. Eligible for funding are municipalities, districts, and special-purpose associations, as well as research and educational institutions, chambers, associations, and foundations based in NRW. The program is granted as a subsidy, with funding rates from 50% to 90%, providing a total of approximately 33–37 million euros. Applications for larger projects from €200,000 (net) must be submitted in a two-stage process by January 29, 2026 (procedure 1); for projects up to €200,000 (net), the deadline is December 31, 2026 (procedure 2). The project duration must not exceed 30 months.
Funded are construction and infrastructure measures such as green roofs and façades, retention roofs, infiltration trenches, swales, or retention cisterns, as well as shading systems, climate-adapted school and daycare grounds, and facilities for free drinking water provision. In addition, planning services, participation processes, and non-investive activities up to 10% of the total costs can be integrated. Submission is made online via the EFRE.NRW.Online portal, accompanied by a project outline, proof of financing, and a participation concept for vulnerable groups. Applications are evaluated using a scoring procedure based on implementation strategy, use of funds, sustainability contribution, adaptation effect, and impact. Qualified advice is offered by Innovationsförderagentur.NRW and the district governments.
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