EU Horizon Europe Green Deal Call: Climate-Neutral and Resilient Urban Water and Sanitation Systems

The EU Horizon Europe Green Deal Call for Climate-Neutral and Resilient Urban Water and Sanitation Systems is a highly competitive funding opportunity under the Horizon Europe framework, specifically aligned with the European Green Deal's climate goals. The call seeks to transform urban water and sanitation infrastructure into climate-neutral and resilient systems capable of withstanding climate change impacts like droughts and floods. It invites consortia to propose innovative solutions that integrate digital technologies, nature-based approaches, and circular economy principles to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance water efficiency, and improve public health. Projects are expected to be large-scale demonstrations with clear replication potential across Europe. The budget per project is estimated between €10 and €15 million, with a 100% co-funding rate for eligible entities (such as research organizations and public bodies), though private sector partners must typically co-finance. The call has a deadline of September 30, 2026, and proposals must be submitted via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Successful proposals will demonstrate a strong consortium with expertise in water engineering, digitalization, social sciences, and governance. They must emphasize stakeholder engagement, including citizens, local authorities, and utilities. Additionally, projects should align with the EU Water Framework Directive and other relevant regulations. This call is a strategic opportunity for organizations to position themselves at the forefront of the sustainable water transition, with significant policy and market impact. GSLI's training in WASH, Project Management, and Proposal Writing can help applicants build competitive proposals and manage projects effectively. The call's overarching goal is to accelerate the transition to climate-neutral urban water cycles. This involves reducing energy consumption in water supply and treatment, minimizing water losses, and enabling water reuse. Specific technical areas include: (1) energy-positive wastewater treatment (e.g., anaerobic digestion with energy recovery); (2) digital twins for real-time optimization of water networks; (3) advanced sensors for contaminant monitoring (e.g., microplastics, pharmaceuticals); (4) nature-based solutions for stormwater management and urban cooling; (5) resource recovery from wastewater (e.g., phosphorus, bioplastics). The call also emphasizes social innovation, such as behavioral change campaigns to reduce water consumption and increase acceptance of water reuse. Projects must demonstrate a clear theory of change, measurable KPIs, and a plan for dissemination and exploitation. For example, a project might deploy smart water meters in a district, linked to a cloud-based analytics platform that identifies leaks and predicts failures, reducing water loss by 20% and energy by 30%. Another project could convert a conventional wastewater plant into a water resource recovery facility, producing biogas, clean water for irrigation, and fertilizer. The call requires that solutions be co-designed with end-users and tailored to local contexts. Therefore, consortia should include social scientists and communication experts alongside engineers. GSLI's Public Health & Epidemiology course can help design health impact assessments to ensure water safety. Overall, this call represents a transformative opportunity for European water systems, with GSLI providing essential capacity building to maximize success. From a financial and strategic perspective, this call is part of Horizon Europe's Cluster 6 (Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment) and is expected to fund around 5-10 projects. The evaluation criteria are standard for Horizon Europe: Excellence (50%), Impact (30%), and Quality and Efficiency of Implementation (20%). Proposals must demonstrate breakthrough innovation, a clear pathway to impact (e.g., policy, market, societal), and a feasible management structure. Budget must be justified with detailed cost estimates. The call also requires robust data management plans and open access to research outputs. For NGOs, especially from countries with less experience in EU framework programs, the application process can be daunting. GSLI's Grants Management course demystifies Horizon Europe rules, covering ethics, financial reporting, and audit procedures. Additionally, GSLI's Fundraising & Resource Mobilization course helps plan for co-financing if needed. The call's urgency is marked as NORMAL, but with a deadline in two years, there is ample time to build a strong consortium and prepare a high-quality proposal. Early preparation is key to addressing the call's complexity. GSLI recommends commencing consortium building in 2024, with proposal writing in 2025, and submission well before the deadline to avoid technical issues. By integrating GSLI training, applicants can significantly enhance their competitiveness and readiness for this landmark funding opportunity.

Strategic Overview

The EU Horizon Europe Green Deal Call for Climate-Neutral and Resilient Urban Water and Sanitation Systems is a highly competitive funding opportunity under the Horizon Europe framework, specifically aligned with the European Green Deal's climate goals. The call seeks to transform urban water and sanitation infrastructure into climate-neutral and resilient systems capable of withstanding climate change impacts like droughts and floods. It invites consortia to propose innovative solutions that integrate digital technologies, nature-based approaches, and circular economy principles to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance water efficiency, and improve public health. Projects are expected to be large-scale demonstrations with clear replication potential across Europe. The budget per project is estimated between €10 and €15 million, with a 100% co-funding rate for eligible entities (such as research organizations and public bodies), though private sector partners must typically co-finance. The call has a deadline of September 30, 2026, and proposals must be submitted via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Successful proposals will demonstrate a strong consortium with expertise in water engineering, digitalization, social sciences, and governance. They must emphasize stakeholder engagement, including citizens, local authorities, and utilities. Additionally, projects should align with the EU Water Framework Directive and other relevant regulations. This call is a strategic opportunity for organizations to position themselves at the forefront of the sustainable water transition, with significant policy and market impact. GSLI's training in WASH, Project Management, and Proposal Writing can help applicants build competitive proposals and manage projects effectively. The call's overarching goal is to accelerate the transition to climate-neutral urban water cycles. This involves reducing energy consumption in water supply and treatment, minimizing water losses, and enabling water reuse. Specific technical areas include: (1) energy-positive wastewater treatment (e.g., anaerobic digestion with energy recovery); (2) digital twins for real-time optimization of water networks; (3) advanced sensors for contaminant monitoring (e.g., microplastics, pharmaceuticals); (4) nature-based solutions for stormwater management and urban cooling; (5) resource recovery from wastewater (e.g., phosphorus, bioplastics). The call also emphasizes social innovation, such as behavioral change campaigns to reduce water consumption and increase acceptance of water reuse. Projects must demonstrate a clear theory of change, measurable KPIs, and a plan for dissemination and exploitation. For example, a project might deploy smart water meters in a district, linked to a cloud-based analytics platform that identifies leaks and predicts failures, reducing water loss by 20% and energy by 30%. Another project could convert a conventional wastewater plant into a water resource recovery facility, producing biogas, clean water for irrigation, and fertilizer. The call requires that solutions be co-designed with end-users and tailored to local contexts. Therefore, consortia should include social scientists and communication experts alongside engineers. GSLI's Public Health & Epidemiology course can help design health impact assessments to ensure water safety. Overall, this call represents a transformative opportunity for European water systems, with GSLI providing essential capacity building to maximize success. From a financial and strategic perspective, this call is part of Horizon Europe's Cluster 6 (Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment) and is expected to fund around 5-10 projects. The evaluation criteria are standard for Horizon Europe: Excellence (50%), Impact (30%), and Quality and Efficiency of Implementation (20%). Proposals must demonstrate breakthrough innovation, a clear pathway to impact (e.g., policy, market, societal), and a feasible management structure. Budget must be justified with detailed cost estimates. The call also requires robust data management plans and open access to research outputs. For NGOs, especially from countries with less experience in EU framework programs, the application process can be daunting. GSLI's Grants Management course demystifies Horizon Europe rules, covering ethics, financial reporting, and audit procedures. Additionally, GSLI's Fundraising & Resource Mobilization course helps plan for co-financing if needed. The call's urgency is marked as NORMAL, but with a deadline in two years, there is ample time to build a strong consortium and prepare a high-quality proposal. Early preparation is key to addressing the call's complexity. GSLI recommends commencing consortium building in 2024, with proposal writing in 2025, and submission well before the deadline to avoid technical issues. By integrating GSLI training, applicants can significantly enhance their competitiveness and readiness for this landmark funding opportunity.

Who is it For?

This call is open to a wide range of legal entities established in EU Member States, including but not limited to: higher education institutions, research institutes, public authorities (municipalities, regional water boards), private enterprises (SMEs, large corporations), non-governmental organizations, and international organizations (if specific conditions are met). Consortia must include at least three independent entities from different EU Member States or associated countries. Entities from third countries may participate under certain conditions, but funding is typically reserved for EU-based partners. The call targets interdisciplinary teams with expertise in water engineering, environmental science, digital technologies, social sciences, public health, and governance. Specifically, water utilities and municipalities are encouraged to lead or co-lead projects to ensure real-world applicability. For NGOs and development organizations, eligibility requires a demonstrated track record in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) projects, preferably with experience in EU-funded research. GSLI courses on WASH and Public Health & Epidemiology can help these organizations strengthen their technical background. Private sector entities must show commitment to open access and dissemination of results. The call also emphasizes gender equality and inclusiveness in project teams. It is essential to review the specific eligibility criteria in the topic description, including financial viability checks and legal status documentation.

Priorities

The donor's global priorities under this call are deeply intertwined with the European Green Deal's objective of making Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. Specifically, the call prioritizes: (1) development and demonstration of integrated water management solutions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions from urban water systems (e.g., energy-efficient wastewater treatment, methane capture, sludge-to-energy); (2) enhancing resilience to climate change through adaptive infrastructure, such as permeable pavements, green roofs, and rainwater harvesting, combined with digital early warning systems; (3) promoting circular economy by recovering resources (water, nutrients, energy) from wastewater, reducing water leakage, and minimizing waste; (4) improving water quality and public health through advanced monitoring of contaminants of emerging concern (e.g., microplastics, pharmaceuticals); (5) fostering digitalization via AI, IoT sensors, and digital twins for predictive maintenance and optimized operations; (6) engaging citizens and stakeholders through co-creation and behavioral change initiatives. Key performance indicators include quantified reductions in energy consumption (e.g., 30% reduction per m³ treated), water loss (e.g., 20% reduction), and increased reuse rates (e.g., 50% of treated wastewater reused). Projects must also demonstrate scalability and replicability across different European regions. GSLI's course on Monitoring & Evaluation equips teams to design robust KPIs and data collection frameworks aligned with donor expectations.

Eligibility

Comprehensive eligibility requires careful financial, spatial, and legal auditing. Financially, each consortium member must provide audited statements for the last two years demonstrating sufficient liquidity to co-fund (unless 100% funding applies), and must not be under bankruptcy proceedings. Spatially, projects must be implemented within EU Member States or associated countries, though pilot sites may include selected regions across different climatic zones. Legal eligibility demands that entities have legal personality and be registered in the EU. Consortia must sign a consortium agreement detailing IP rights, decision-making, and financial provisions. Additionally, the topic may require that the coordinator be from an EU Member State. For NGOs, special clauses apply regarding non-profit status and independence. It is vital to check for any security-related restrictions (e.g., dual-use technology). GSLI's Grants Management course provides step-by-step guidance on navigating Horizon Europe eligibility rules, including beneficiary registration in the Participant Register and completion of the Declaration of Honour. The call may also require a detailed financial capacity assessment for coordinators requesting large EU contributions. Any deviation could lead to disqualification; thus, rigorous pre-submission legal review is essential.

Path to Success

A strategic roadmap to secure funding involves the following steps, integrated with GSLI training: Step 1: Consortium Building and Capacity Assessment (Months 1-2). Identify potential partners from across the EU, including water utilities, research institutes, technology SMEs, and NGOs. Use GSLI's Project Management for Development course to create a structured partnership agreement, define roles, and perform a gap analysis in technical and management skills. Step 2: Proposal Co-Design and Alignment (Months 3-5). Host a co-creation workshop to align objectives with the call's priorities. Leverage GSLI's Writing Winning Proposals course to develop a compelling narrative, including a clear theory of change, work breakdown structure, and budget. Use the Financial Management for NGOs course to plan cost categories and ensure compliance with Horizon Europe cost eligibility rules (e.g., personnel, equipment, subcontracting). Step 3: Submission and Evaluation Preparation (Month 6). Prepare all administrative documents (e.g., partnership declarations, CVs, ethics self-assessment) and submit via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. GSLI's Grants Management course offers a checklist for final review. After submission, prepare for potential interviews or clarifications. Step 4: Project Kick-off and Implementation (Months 7 onward). If funded, use GSLI's Monitoring & Evaluation course to set up a performance monitoring framework. The Procurement & Supply Chain course helps manage procurement of equipment or services. GSLI's Fundraising & Resource Mobilization course can plan for co-financing or scaling up. Throughout, the WASH and Public Health courses ensure technical robustness in water safety and health impact assessments. This integrated GSLI approach maximizes competitiveness and readiness.

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Deadline: 2026-09-30

Persona: General

Urgency: Normal