BRUSSELS: A mid-term assessment published by the European Commission on September 14 concluded that the five Horizon Europe EU Missions - spanning cities, climate adaptation, health, oceans and soil - are driving systemic change. The Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission continues to support more than 100 cities toward climate neutrality by 2030.
The verdict comes with money attached: the Mission's 2026-27 funding cycle puts €220 million on the table for the 112 Mission Cities, with the current call closing October 8 - one of the largest dedicated urban-climate funding windows in the world. City halls across the bloc are racing the deadline. Call details, Page 8.
