Standalone projects

Di cosa tratta questo bando?

The topic provides lump-sum EU grants, combined with a loan from the European Investment Bank or its financial intermediaries, for public-sector investments that ease the social, economic and environmental effects of the climate transition. It targets public bodies and private bodies with a public service mission in EU Member States, for territories covered by approved Territorial Just Transition Plans.

Cosa finanzia questo bando?

What the call supports

The topic funds the grant component of blended support (an EU grant plus a loan) for standalone projects that address the social, economic and environmental challenges of the transition towards the EU's 2030 climate and energy targets and its 2050 climate neutrality objective, for the benefit of territories identified in Territorial Just Transition Plans. The projects must also qualify for a loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB) or one of its financial intermediaries; the loan is applied for separately.

Scope

Projects related to a wide range of sustainable investments may be funded, such as:

• renewable energy and green and sustainable mobility, including the promotion of green hydrogen
• efficient district heating networks, public research and digitalisation
• environmental infrastructure for smart waste and water management
• sustainable energy, energy efficiency and integration measures, including renovations and conversions of buildings
• urban renewal and regeneration, the transition to a circular economy, land and ecosystem restoration and decontamination (taking into account the 'polluter pays' principle) and biodiversity
• up-skilling and re-skilling, training, and social infrastructure such as care facilities and social housing

Infrastructure development may also cover cross-border projects and solutions that improve resilience to ecological disasters, in particular those made worse by climate change. A comprehensive investment approach should be favoured, in particular for territories with important transition needs. Investments in other sectors may also be supported if they are consistent with the approved Territorial Just Transition Plans. Project activities must benefit a territory covered by an approved Territorial Just Transition Plan and be consistent with that plan.

Excluded sectors

• decommissioning or construction of nuclear power stations
• manufacturing, processing and marketing of tobacco and tobacco products
• help to undertakings in difficulty, unless authorised under temporary State aid rules for exceptional circumstances or under de minimis aid supporting investments that reduce energy costs in the energy transition
• investments related to the production, processing, transport, distribution, storage or combustion of fossil fuel

Expected outcomes

Proposals must describe how the project will achieve a measurable impact on the social, economic and environmental challenges of the transition towards the EU's 2030 climate and energy targets and the 2050 climate neutrality objective. Where relevant, indicators on greenhouse gas emission reductions, job creation per gender and number of people reached are to be provided. Applicants are recommended to use the EIB Project Carbon Footprint Methodologies and the toolkit on gender in just transition regions.

Funding

The estimated available call budget, covering this topic and the Framework Loans topic, is €630,000,000 for the two-year period of the call. The grant is a lump sum fixed at 15% of the loan component, or 25% for projects in less developed regions. Loans requested directly from the EIB should be at least €12,500,000; as the EIB usually covers up to 50% of total project costs, these should normally be at least €25,000,000. Loans requested through EIB financial intermediaries should be at least €1,000,000.

Quando scade il bando?

22 settembre 2027 (321 giorni)

The call has two cut-off dates: 27 January 2026, 17:00 CET (Brussels) and 22 September 2027, 17:00 CET (Brussels).