Subsidies for climate neutral neigborhoods and circular citizen initiatives in Mechelen

In 2012, the city of Mechelen signed the Covenant of Mayors, engaging itself to reduce CO2 emissions by more than 20% by 2020, and 40% by 2030. To warm the citizens up for this target, the city provides a yearly budget to citizen-led initiatives, which contribute to the city’s climate neutrality. Examples of subsidized initiatives are collective vegetable gardens and poultry runs, a shared e-cargobike, or the guidance by a sustainability expert in a co-housing project. For non-profit organisations, the subsidies are seed-money to start or support their activities. All kinds of circular initiatives, such as a library of tools, a library of baby supplies, repair cafes, or a mobile solar energy system for events, have been realised thanks to the subsidies and the citizens’ labour. The subsidies are distributed with a call to action two times a year. At least four citizens need to hand in a completed form and budget proposal, which is screened by a jury existing of staff of the city but from different departments. A long-term initiative can be granted maximally €5000. A one-time climate sensitization initiative, such as a film night or a workshop, may be granted maximally €500.