Municipalities around the world are ramping up efforts to combat climate change. Against this backdrop, it is crucial that subsidy programmes promoting climate action are designed to be fair and accessible for all residents, particularly addressing disadvantaged communities. That’s why ICLEI is excited to announce the release of the Climate Equity Toolbox: A How-to Guide for Making Municipal Subsidy Programs More Socially Just.

Based on the experiences of five German cities collaborating in the INCLU:DE project, this toolkit provides local government officials with a practical four-step approach to designing climate-focused subsidy programmes that prioritise social justice. It guides cities on how to:

• Define inclusive goals for their subsidy programs.
• Develop equitable funding structures and eligibility criteria.
• Ensure clear and accessible communication with diverse communities.
• Monitor and assess equity outcomes for continuous improvement.

By addressing common participation barriers—such as upfront financial costs and complicated bureaucratic processes—the toolkit helps cities create subsidy programmes that enable broad and equitable access to sustainable technologies, including renewable energy and sustainable mobility options.

Through case studies from the ICLEI Members Ludwigsburg and Dortmund, this toolkit showcases how cities have successfully integrated social justice principles into their programmes, working towards the empowerment of disadvantaged communities in the transition to a greener future.

Explore the toolkit and download your copy in English and German.