How Call 9 Projects Will Drive the Green Transition

With their focus on cross-border cooperation, the EUKI-funded projects support the European ideal. They bring together partners from 21 European countries, with the highest rate of participation from Bulgaria (8 projects), Hungary (7), Germany (6) and Romania (6). Spain, Austria, the Netherlands, Italy, Portugal, Montenegro and Lithuania are also taking part, with one project each.

Key focus areas: energy transition and climate-neutral buildings

Energy transition and climate-neutral buildings are the priority topics (9 projects) with a wide range of issues being addressed, including buildings, energy communities, energy efficiency, energy poverty, energy transition and renewables.

While some initiatives disseminate tried and tested solutions, others venture into uncharted territory. The Transforming Invisible Buildings project addresses the reactivation potential of vacant buildings in Greece and North Macedonia with the additional ambition to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by promoting renovations instead of demolition.

The Green Pre-Incubators for Just Transition project deals with the issue of a fair and equitable transformation. In coal-dependent regions of Greece and North Macedonia, it establishes a structured pre-incubation and early-stage support programme for green entrepreneurship. It also raises awareness of climate-oriented business opportunities and helps young people, aspiring entrepreneurs and unemployed individuals to develop viable low-carbon business solutions.

The Peatlands Future: Carbon Farming & Conservation project, involves nine countries and strengthens peatland strategies and carbon farming readiness. It assists governments to develop national peatland strategies, and tests practical solutions in Bulgaria, Slovakia and Slovenia. The broad range of participants ensures that a wealth of experience and expertise can be unlocked and accessed.

Descriptions of all Call 9 projects can be found here.

The EUKI Community welcomes new members

EUKI project funding includes more than financial support. Project implementers become part of the EUKI Community and new members were recently officially welcomed by the EUKI Secretariat. The community offers a unique opportunity for pan-European peer learning and an exchange of information, experience and expertise, supported by the EUKI Academy. Dr Reinhart Schwaiberger, Managing Director of the Technology Centre at Landshut University of Applied Sciences, emphasises the community’s peer learning potential with reference to the recently launched AGRIC – Advancing Photovoltaics in Agriculture project. He says:“We want to help make agri-photovoltaics a genuine option for many farming regions to achieve more climate protection, stable incomes and resilient agriculture.”

Strong interest in EUKI funding

Since 2017, 514 organisations from 31 European countries have collaborated on 246 EUKI-funded projects, with subsidies ranging between 120,000 and 1 million euros.

The first in-person meeting of the new EUKI funded projects will take place at EUKICON26 in Berlin from 19–21 May. Under the motto ‘Doubling Down on Climate Action’, the conference will also bring the EUKI Community together with key players in European climate action.