Local governments are increasingly faced with limited human, financial, and natural resources. ICLEI assists public authorities in developing, piloting and implementing sustainable economy initiatives, from community-owned renewable energy to public service contracts which galvanise the local social economy.

Through membership of expert and advisory groups on Circular Economy Finance and Green Public Procurement, ICLEI works directly with European Union institutions to ensure that project financing is formulated to address sustainability challenges, and be accessible to cities, regions and public authorities.

As a founding member of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy and as an active partner of the Cities Climate Finance Leadership Alliance (CCFLA), helping local governments to access investment from national and international funding instruments is a priority of ICLEI's European Secretariat.