Open call for Twin Cities 2024
Looking for valuable support for your city to ramp up its climate action? As part of the EU Cities Mission, the Twinning Learning Programme is open again for applications. It is offering ambitious cities a unique opportunity to join an expert-supported 18-month city-to-city learning programme focused on knowledge sharing to reach their climate goals.
Any city within EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries that is not currently part of the Twinning Learning Programme, the Pilot Cities Programme, or the EU Cities Mission and is committed to reaching climate neutrality before or by 2050 can apply.
Applications for the Twinning Learning Programme are open from 10 September to 31 October 2024 and eligible cities must:
- be in EU countries or associated countries of Horizon Europe;
- already be committed to reaching climate neutrality by 2050;
- and not be part of the EU Cities Mission or a Twin or Pilot City.
Selected Twin Cities will join an 18-month tailored learning programme for knowledge sharing and transfer of good practices between Twin Cities and Pilot Cities.
Those chosen to become ‘Twin Cities’ will work towards their already-stated commitment to climate neutrality by 2050 as they gain insights and practical strategies from counterparts on the Pilot Cities Programme, which supports European cities to test and implement innovative approaches to rapid decarbonisation.
Selected Twin Cities– to be announced in December 2024 – will be paired with specific Pilot Cities from that programme’s Cohort 2 (Oslo, Trondheim, Pecs and Miskolc, Bratislava and Kosice) and Cohort 3 and take part in tailored learning modules and meet online and in person.
For these important in-person exchanges, the travel and expenses of three in-person site visits (two as guests of the Pilot City, and one as a host) will be covered by the programme budget.
And Twin Cities will not only learn from the advanced positions of their partner Pilot city or cities but contribute their own knowledge and experience – a critical component of their future success and the success of their peers.
When repeated across the network, this valuable shared knowledge can accelerate cities’ efforts to decarbonise as they replicate what has worked and avoid what hasn’t.
By the end of the programme, Twin Cities will develop a Twin City Action Plan, which outlines the steps they will take to advance their climate transition efforts.
This will be supported by NetZeroCities, who will oversee the programme and facilitate discussions, provide guidance, and help monitor the programme’s impact in Twin and Pilot Cities.
- Read more about the experience of some current Twin Cities
- Find the guidance