ICLEI Member Hamburg (Germany) and the City of Dortmund (Germany) are now eligible to host data-driven projects under the ICLEI Action Fund. Civil society organisations, academic institutions and non-profit research institutes aiming to implement inclusive environmental action in one of these two German cities can apply to receive up to 1 million EUR in funding! The announcement was made on Monday, 27 June, during the World Urban Forum hosted this year by ICLEI Member Katowice (Poland).

These two municipalities complete the final list of ten cities that are eligible to host inclusive, data-driven projects, funded within the 7 million EUR available via the ICLEI Action Fund. The other eight cities, which had already been announced, are: Barcelona (Spain); Berlin (Germany); Glasgow (United Kingdom); Helsinki (Finland); Malmö (Sweden); Rome (Italy); Rotterdam (The Netherlands); and Stockholm (Sweden). These are all ICLEI Member Cities, keen to continue pushing forward data-driven climate action locally. The Fund welcomes proposals that contribute to cities’ just transitions and climate goals.

Apply now! The call is open for projects that use environmental and/or climate data from private or open sources to implement action on sustainable mobility, sustainable buildings, solar energy, air quality management, and climate resilience. In addition, 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 ICLEI Action Fund is a granting scheme implemented by ICLEI with support from Google.org to encourage environmental and climate projects, which use data from private and public sources. Launched in May 2020 in Europe, the ICLEI Action Fund 1.0 granted 2.5 million EUR to six non-profit and academic organisations in Copenhagen (Denmark), Berlin and Hamburg (Germany), Nantes (France), Birmingham and Oldham (UK).

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.

As Wolfgang Teubner, ICLEI’s Regional Director Europe, explains: “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.”

For more information on eligibility requirements and to apply, visit: action-fund.iclei-europe.org.