A new call for applications for the ICLEI Action Fund is officially open. Non-profits, civil society organisations, academic institutions and non-profit research institutes in eight ICLEI member cities can apply for up to 1 million EUR to implement data-driven projects. The deadline to submit a proposal is 24 July 2022.
Why data-driven projects?
European cities face daily environmental challenges in different areas. To boost sustainability and make their cities greener, local governments have established goals to reduce pollution and climate impacts in alignment with EU policies (like the EU Green Deal), the Paris Agreement, and the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.
Data related to transport, energy, and air pollution are increasingly available in cities and make-up an invaluable evidence base for action and investment, particularly in fields like sustainable mobility, solar energy, sustainable buildings, and air quality.
Through its Environmental Insights Explorer (EIE) tool, Google.org has estimated building and transport greenhouse gas emissions, as well as solar roof potential, all on a local level. The data in the EIE is anonymous, highly aggregated and, when combined with other data sources, generates environmental insights to help cities reach (and even exceed!) their ambitious environmental goals.
“We believe that getting actionable insights from different data sources is key to accelerate the development of innovative projects, improving local environmental quality and reducing carbon emissions,” explains Wolfgang Teubner, ICLEI’s Regional Director for Europe.
A proven track record
The ICLEI Action Fund first burst onto the scene in Europe back in May 2020. It is an ICLEI-implemented granting scheme that supports data-driven environmental and climate projects. This second call for applications is a response to a highly successful first round, which granted 2.5 million EUR to six organisations in ICLEI Members Copenhagen (Denmark), Berlin and Hamburg (Germany), as well as in Nantes (France), Birmingham and Oldham (UK).
For example, one subgrantee, Miljøpunkt Amager (MPA), used the Action Fund to harness environmental data to implement pilots that reduced local air pollution. MPA Director Dorte Grastrup-Hansen reflected, “We are very pleased with the great interest of the community in our project. In all, nearly 1,000 citizens participated in our surveys, workshops and events, sharing their routines and problems with air quality. We are very proud!”
A second call for applications
This new call for applications, and its 7 million EUR fund, is made possible by Google.org, Google’s philanthropic arm. Funds are available for projects implemented in ICLEI Europe Members Barcelona (Spain), Berlin (Germany), Glasgow (UK), Helsinki (Finland), Malmö (Sweden), Rome (Italy), Rotterdam (The Netherlands) and Stockholm (Sweden). Additional cities are currently being selected.
This second call is open for projects focused on environmental and climate action, with an emphasis on mobility, buildings, solar energy, air quality management, and climate resilience. The Fund welcomes proposals that contribute to cities’ just transitions and climate plans, with the aim to help cities reduce emissions and build resilience to climate change.
“The ICLEI Action Fund seeks to encourage innovative projects that support cities in providing citizens with fair and just access to renewable energy sources, sustainable mobility alternatives, and greener and healthier public spaces. Following the success of the first round of grants, we are optimistic that we will receive high-quality proposals from eligible organisations that use relevant sources of data and green technologies to further smart and sustainable action at the local level,” said Teubner.
Projects must be aligned with the respective city’s sustainability plans and strategies. Municipalities can get involved in local Action Fund projects as supporters, service providers, sponsors or partners, having the opportunity to receive part of the funding in case of the latter.
The big picture
By bridging Google.org’s grant support with ICLEI’s network and technical expertise, the ICLEI Action Fund will continue to help cities and non-profit organisations to implement innovative, data-driven climate action on the ground, and to measure sustainability impacts in the long-term. Furthermore, this new round of applications (“ICLEI Action Fund 2.0”) reinforces both ICLEI Europe and Google.org’s commitments to accelerating climate action to build more sustainable cities through technology and innovation.
In fact, in addition to granting 7 million EUR to European subgrantees, Google.org has also provided 2.8 million EUR to ICLEI USA in this second round. In other words, the ICLEI Action Fund 2.0 will grant almost 10 million EUR in support for data-driven environmental projects.
“Google is committed to helping more than 500 cities reduce one gigaton of carbon emissions annually by 2030 through providing local governments with better access to data and technology. We also want to empower deeper collaboration with civil society, which will play a critical role in achieving this goal. This new open call aims to build on the success of our first ICLEI Action Fund, helping to design, build, and operate more sustainable or regenerative cities,” said Rowan Barnett, Director Google.org, Europe, Middle East & Africa.
For more information on eligibility requirements and to apply (before the 24 July 2022 deadline!), visit: action-fund.iclei-europe.org.