Non-Thematic development actions by SMEs
Coordinators European Defence Fund
- All sectors
PEDs in urban heating and cooling strategies
- All sectors
- EU Open Calls
- Coordinators: Driving Urban Transition – Positive Energy Districts
- Allocated budget: Most projects are expected to have a total budget request of around €1–2 million.
- End of applications: 23 April 2026
- Project duration: 36 months
- Project submitted on: Open calls
Objective
Explore the role of PEDs in decarbonising urban heating and cooling through integrated, inclusive, and efficient multi-energy systems, enhancing sustainability, equity, and climate resilience across diverse urban contexts.
Priorities
➡️ Optimise PED-based district heating/cooling by leveraging surplus renewable energy, waste heat recovery, passive/active systems, and shared infrastructure to enhance system efficiency, emissions reduction, and resilience.
➡️ Deploy inclusive, low-carbon technologies (e.g. heat pumps, geothermal, solar thermal) to deliver accessible, cost-effective heating and cooling in PEDs, preventing energy poverty and ensuring social equity.
➡️ Enable scalability and replication through adaptable models, policy alignment, and regulatory frameworks that support decentralised/centralised systems integration and public-private cooperation in diverse urban contexts
Eligibility
Legal entities such as (but not limited to):
- research organisations (higher education institutions including universities, university colleges; research institutes or other entities with research undertakings),
- companies and commercial organisations,
- urban government authorities (such as local and regional government institutions, municipalities and municipal organisations, city authorities, urban public administrations, infrastructure and service providers),
- consumers and civil society representatives (e.g. local and community organisations, non-governmental organisations, not-for-profit organisations, advocacy and activist groups, citizens’ representatives, neighbourhood initiatives, social innovators, social entrepreneurs, etc.).
- From the culture and creative sectors (e.g. artists and designers).
Each proposal must be submitted by a consortium consisting of at least three eligible Applicants from at least three different participating countries (Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, The Netherlands, Poland, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden (funding agencies Formas and SWEA have confirmed their participation and will publish their National Annexes at a later date), Switzerland, Tunisia More confirmed countries will be added continuously up until the call opens on 1 September.)
At least two of the eligible Applicants must be from different EU Member States (MS) or Associated Country (AC).
Eligible activities
➡️ Technical solutions and models for optimising district heating and cooling networks within PEDs, incorporating energy efficiency and passive design solutions, surplus renewable energy, waste heat recovery, and shared infrastructure.
➡️ Demonstration projects or pilot cases showcasing the integration of renewable and low-carbon technologies in urban heating and cooling strategies.
➡️ Guidelines and best practices for ensuring fair and inclusive access to heating and cooling, addressing affordability, renovation support, and cost distribution strategies.
➡️ Scalability and replicability frameworks that outline adaptable PED heating and cooling models for different urban contexts (centralised vs. decentralised systems).
➡️ Policy recommendations and regulatory frameworks to support PED-based heating and cooling, including public-private partnership models and incentive structures.
➡️ Socio-economic impact assessments evaluating the effects of PED-based heating and cooling solutions on energy poverty, community well-being, and urban sustainability.
