CapaCITIES 2.0

CapaCITIES 2.0 is a European initiative designed to strengthen how national and regional authorities support cities on their path to climate neutrality. Responding to the Horizon Europe Call HORIZON MISS 2024 CIT 02 01, the project plays a central role in shaping and amplifying national narratives for the EU Climate Neutral and Smart Cities Mission.

Building on the foundations laid by the first CapaCITIES project—which launched national platforms in 15 EU countries—CapaCITIES 2.0 expands this work across the entire EU. It drives national change processes, matures multi level governance structures, and helps establish or reinforce national networks and platforms dedicated to supporting Mission Cities. By coordinating actions across Europe’s climate neutral initiatives, the project aligns efforts, accelerates progress, and creates a more coherent and supportive environment for urban transitions.

Through targeted assistance, CapaCITIES 2.0 equips public authorities with the enabling conditions, tools and measures needed to help cities achieve climate neutrality. Its work contributes directly to increasing the preparedness and capacity of national, regional and local administrations; improving their ability to address country specific regulatory, financial and governance barriers; and fostering the exchange of best practices through transnational collaboration.
The project also strengthens synergies with research and innovation communities and key European partnerships, including the Driving Urban Transitions Partnership and NetZeroCities, the EU Mission Platform. By connecting these ecosystems, CapaCITIES 2.0 supports a unified European effort to deliver the Climate Neutral and Smart Cities Mission.

CapaCITIES 2.0 brings together a strong consortium of 71 European partners from 27 countries, representing a broad spectrum of expertise and governance levels. The partnership is composed primarily of city authorities, national and regional public administrations, and leading scientific and innovation organisations, complemented by ten universities contributing academic excellence and research capacity.

Bulgaria is represented by a single organisation: the Center for Energy Efficiency EnEffect, serving as the country’s sole partner in the consortium.

Coordinator: Executive Agency for Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation Funding (UEFISCDI), Romania

Project funding: EU Research and Innovation Funding Programme “Horizon Europe”
Period of project implementation: May 2025 – April 2027
More: https://capacities.eu/about-capacities-2-0/