SI Methods
Social Innovation Actionable Pathways
ACT
ACCELERATE
PREPARE
PREPARE
ACT
ACCELERATE
1. Public administration capacity building in socialinnovation for climate neutrality
4. Citizens' capacity building in social innovation
8. Incubating and accelerating social innovations
IndicatorsSI8.1.1 Inclusion and collaborationSI8.1.2 SIs funded with PA business seedingSI8.1.3 Sustaining social innovationsSI8.1.4 Participation to social innovationsSI8.1.5 Measuring the impact of SISI8.1.6 Inclusion of minoritiesSI8.1.7 Targeting minorities
8.1 Social innovation incubator
IndicatorsSI4.1.1 Citizens' social Innovation skills developmentSI4.1.2 Social Innovation initiatives created
IndicatorsSI1.1.1 Social Innovation skills development activitiesSI1.1.2 PA Social Innovation skills development
4.1 Social innovation training
1.1 PA skills development
established by the PA which provides training, mentoring, infrastructures (places for co-working) and seeding (start-up funds), with the aim to activate actors to initiate and sustain social innovations for climate sustainability
provided by the city or partners, to citizens, companies, NGOs personnel, schools or other entities
with courses and workshops on social innovation for sustainability
City experiment fund
Positive Energy Districts
Scientific referencesBaer et al. 2021; Diepenmaat et al. 2020; Creutzig et al. 2022; WEF Report (2013)
Cases
Scientific referencesBaer et al. 2021; Diepenmaat et al. 2020; Creutzig et al. 2022; WEF Report, 2013
City experiment fund
Positive Energy Districts
Cases
Scientific referencesBögel et al., 2022; Corubolo & Meroni, 2015; Meroni, 2019; Nicolopoulou et al., 2017; Moore et al., 2015; Murray et al., 2010; Rizzo et al., 2020; Tjahja, 2021; Westley & Antadze, 2010; Westley et al. 2014; World Economic Forum Report, 2013; World Health Organization, 2010
Bristol City Lab
Wiener Klimateam
Mannheim City Lab
Torino
Cases
5. City social innovation mapping/observatory
Indicators SI1.2.1 Number of social Innovation experts
1.2 Network of experts
in social innovation for climate neutrality to which the municipality has access
8.2 Social innovations accelerator
IndicatorsSI8.2.1 SI scaling or mentoring programSI8.2.2 SI initiatives funded for scalingSI8.2.3 Most successful SI initiativesSI8.2.4 Social innovation replication
which provides training, support and funding to scale existing social innovations for climate neutrality
Scientific referencesTerstriep et al., 2020
City-studio (Spain)
Cases
IndicatorsSI4.1.1 Citizens' social Innovation skills developmentSI4.1.2 Social Innovation initiatives created
5.1 Mapping of cities' existing social innovations
and potential partners in a dedicated map or platform (observatory
VeniSIA
Clean Cities ClimAccelerator
Cases
Scientific referencesGabriel, 2014; Haskell et al., 2021; Kern, 2019; Massaro et al., 2022; Moore et al., 2015; Westley & Antadze, 2010; Westley et al., 2014
Florianopolis
Scientific references Andion et al., 2021; Morais da Silva et al., 2016
Cases
2. Social innovation in the Transition Teamand in the city’s action plan
Galway
Cluj-Napoca
Dijon
Pilot City Programme
9. Co-creation and cross-sector partnerships
6. City social innovation policies
2.1 Establishment of Transition Team with social innovation competence
2.1 Establishment of Transition Team with social innovation competence
IndicatorsSI2.1.1 Number of social innovation experts in the Transition Team
9.1 Cross-sector partnerships
Indicators SI9.1.1 Cross-sector partnerships for climate neutralitySI9.1.2 Cross-sector partnerships' contribution to climate neutrality
with cross-departmental members
with cross-departmental members
IndicatorsSI2.2.2 Policies that support social innovation for climate sustainabilitySI6.1.2 Policies co-creation
between PAs, companies, NGOs, universities, governmental organizations, etc., to address climate neutrality (stationary energy, energy generation,mobility & transport, green industry, circular economy, nature-based solutions) and social inclusion
Turku's Climate Team
PentaHelix
6.1 Development of a portfolio of policies
PentaHelix
Cases
Cases
Scientific referencesCeschin & Gaziulusoy, 2016; World Economic Forum Report, 2013
to support social innovation for climate sustainability. Policies can becreated together with citizens and urban stakeholders.
Leuven
Scientific referencesGregg et al., 2020
Scientific referencesHržica et al. 2021; Moore et al., 2015; Ostfeld & Reiner, 2020; Schartinger et al.,2017; Selloni & Manzini, 2016; Terstriep et al., 2020; World Economic Forum Report, 2013
Pilot City Programme
Pentahelix
Bologna
Milan
Malmo
Zagreb
Cases
Cases
Spanish Cities
Pilot City Programme
IndicatorsSI2.2.2 Social innovations in the city strategy
2.2 Embedding social innovation in the city’s CCC and Action Plan
6.2 The municipality actively seeks the procurement / purchase of solutions and goods
9.2 The municipality initiates the co-creation of SI initiatives
Indicators SI9.2.1 Social innovation initiatives co-created by the PA to address climate neutralit
Scientific referencesCastro-Spila et al., 2016; Ceschin & Gaziulusoy, 2016; Hržica et al., 2021; Terstriep et al., 2020; Voß, J. P., & Bornemann 2011; World Health Organization, 2011
IndicatorsSI6.2.1 Percentage of social innovation procurement
Barcelona co-creating a climate plan with citizens (Spain)
Just Transition Listening Platform (Spain)
Cases
that meet the criteria of social innovation (solutions that are social in themeans and in the end)
which provides training, support and funding to scale existing social innovations for climate neutrality
Scientific references Chilvers & Longhurst, 2016
Scientific referencesMačiulytė & Durieux, 2020; World Economic Forum Report, 2013
Oslo Public procurement for innovative nature based solutions
Torino
KLIK
Better Reykjavik
Cases
Cases
IndicatorsSI2.3.1 Media strategy on SI for sustainability
2.3 Development of the city's media strategy
Guimarães
Limassol
Italian Cities
Pilot City Programme
on social innovation for climate neutrality
Scientific referencesCole, 2021; Rosenbloom et al., 2016
7. Co-creation platforms and environmentsestablished by the public administration
10. SI included in systemic innovation
3. Funding for social innovation initiatives
7.1 Co-creation platforms and environments
10.1 PA top-down initiatives to reconfigure the system
Indicators SI10.1.1 Reflexive learning on Systemic change
established by the PA: SI and living lab; SI platform, incubator, accelerator, and dedicated places; networking events
IndicatorsSI7.1.1 Social innovation infrastructure
which provides training, support and funding to scale existing social innovations for climate neutrality
Scientific references Bolwig et al., 2020; Creutzig et al., 2022; Grottera et al., 2020; Hoppe & De Vries,2019; Mukai et al., 2022; Rebaglio et al., 2022; Seppala, 2021; Schanes et al., 2016
Mannheim
Bologna
Nappi Naapuri
Sveta Nedelja
Bristol City Lab
3.1 Sourcing of funding
Scientific referencesAndion et al., 2021; Hržica et al., 2021; Morais da Silva et al. 2016; Puerari et al., 2018; Selloni D., 2017; Terstriep et al., 2020; The Economist Intelligent Unit, 2013
Cases
to finance social innovation initiatives for climate neutrality
Mannheim
Paris 15 minute city
Cases
El dia después
Just transition listening platform
Espoo: A co-creation toolkit
IndicatorsSI3.1.1 Funds for social innovation
Sonnet Bristol City lab
Just Transition Fund
City experiment funds
Cases
10.2 PA deploys co-creation and people-centered design
Liberec
Pilot City Programme
Scientific referencesHržica et al., 2021; Terstriep et al., 2020; World Economic Forum Report, 2013
IndicatorsSI10.2.1 PA deploys people-centered design for systemic change
Mannheim
Participatory Budgeting (Croatia)
Antwerp participatorybudgeting
You decide
to leverage SI for achieving systemic change toward climate neutrality, i.e., in co-creating urban planning and city’s circular economy
Indicators SI7.2.1 City provides open data
7.2 The city shares open data to support citizens'
Budapest
Dutch Cities
Pilot City Programme
Scientific referencesCamocini et al. 2015; Wolfram & Frantzeskaki, 2016
Scientific referencesThe Economist Intelligence Unit, 2013; Wuebben et al., 2020
Pop-up Återbruk
Blok 19 Renewal Program
Vitoria-Gasteiz
Viable Cities
Cases
initiatives development, & involves them in data collection
NetZeroCities Social Innovation Actionable Pathways
PREPARE
3. Funding for social innovation initiatives
2. Social innovation in the Transition Team and in the city’s action plan
1. Public administration capacity building in social
innovation for climate neutrality
1.1 PA skills development
2.1 Establishment of Transition Team with social innovation competence
3.1 Sourcing of funding
with courses and workshops on social innovation for sustainability Cases City experiment fund; Positive Energy Districts
to finance social innovation initiatives for climate neutrality Cases Sonnet Bristol City lab; You decide; Antwerp participatory budgeting; Mannheim; Just Transition Fund; City experiment funds
with cross-departmental members Cases PentaHelix; Turku's Climate Team
Scientific references Baer et al. 2021; Diepenmaat et al. 2020; Creutzig et al. 2022; WEF Report (2013) Indicators SI1.1.1 Social Innovation skills development activities SI1.1.2 PA Social Innovation skills development
Scientific references Ceschin & Gaziulusoy, 2016; World Economic Forum Report, 2013 Indicators SI2.1.1 Number of social innovation experts in the Trantion Team
2.2 Embedding social innovation in the city’s CCC and Action Plan
Scientific references Hržica et al., 2021; Terstriep et al., 2020; World Economic Forum Report, 2013 IndicatorsSI3.1.1 Funds for social innovation
Cases Barcelona co-creating a climate plan with citizens (Spain);Just Transition Listening Platform (Spain)
1.2 Network of experts
in social innovation for climate neutrality to which the municipality has access Cases City-studio (Spain)
Scientific references Castro-Spila et al., 2016; Ceschin & Gaziulusoy, 2016; Hržica et al., 2021;Terstriep et al., 2020; Voß, J. P., & Bornemann 2011; World Health Organization, 2011 Indicators SI2.2.2 Social innovations in the city strategy
Scientific references Terstriep et al., 2020 Indicators SI1.2.1 Number of social Innovation experts
2.3 Development of the city's media strategy
on social innovation for climate neutralityCases Framing the Sun (Canada)
Scientific references Cole, 2021; Rosenbloom et al., 2016IndicatorsSI2.3.1 Media strategy on SI for sustainability
NetZeroCities Social Innovation Actionable Pathways
ACT
7. Co-creation platforms and environmentsestablished by the public administration
4. Citizens' capacity building in social innovation
5. City social innovation mapping/observatory
6. City social innovation policies
7.1 Co-creation platforms and environments
6.1 Development of a portfolio of policies
4.1 Social innovation training
5.1 Mapping of cities' existing social innovations
provided by the city or partners, to citizens, companies, NGOs personnel, schools or other entities. Cases City experiment fund; Positive Energy Districts ; Residents Assemble for Climate
established by the PA: SI and living lab; SI platform, incubator, accelerator, and dedicated places; networking events Cases Bristol City Lab; Mannheim; Nappi Naapuri; Bologna; El dia despues; Just transition listening platform
to support social innovation for climate sustainability. Policies can be created together with citizens and urban stakeholders.Cases Bologna; Milan; Apulia; PentaHelix; Spain food waste policies
and potential partners in a dedicated map or platform (observatory) Cases Florianopolis
Scientific references Baer et al. 2021; Diepenmaat et al. 2020; Creutzig et al. 2022; WEF Report, 2013 IndicatorsSI4.1.1 Citizens' social Innovation skills developmentSI4.1.2 Social Innovation initiatives created
Scientific references Andion et al., 2021; Morais da Silva et al., 2016 IndicatorsSI5.1.1 Presence of a Social innovation observatorySI5.1.2 Number of mapped social innovations
Scientific references Andion et al., 2021; Hržica et al., 2021; Morais da Silva et al. 2016; Puerari et al., 2018; Selloni D., 2017; Terstriep et al., 2020; The Economist Intelligent Unit, 2013IndicatorsSI7.1.1 Social innovation infrastructure
Scientific references Hržica et al. 2021; Moore et al., 2015; Ostfeld & Reiner, 2020; Schartinger et al., 2017; Selloni & Manzini, 2016; Terstriep et al., 2020; World Economic Forum Report, 2013 IndicatorsSI2.2.2 Policies that support social innovation for climate sustainabilitySI6.1.2 Policies co-creation
7.2 The city shares open data to support citizens'
6.2 The municipality actively seeks the procurement / purchase of solutions and goods
initiatives development, & involves them in data collection Cases UK government transparency open data policy
that meet the criteria of social innovation (solutions that are social in the means and in the end) Cases Oslo Public procurement for innovative nature based solutions; Manchester; Wroclaw; Torino
Scientific references The Economist Intelligence Unit, 2013; Wuebben et al., 2020 IndicatorsSI7.2.1 City provides open data
Scientific references Mačiulytė & Durieux, 2020; World Economic Forum Report, 2013 IndicatorsSI6.2.1 Percentage of social innovation procurement
NetZeroCities Social Innovation Actionable Pathways
ACCELERATE
3. Funding for social innovation initiatives
2. Social innovation in the Transition Team and in the city’s action plan
8. Incubating and accelerating social innovations
8.1 Social innovation incubator
9.1 Cross-sector partnerships
10.1 PA top-down initiatives to reconfigure the system
established by the PA which provides training, mentoring, infrastructures (places for co-working) and seeding (start-up funds), with the aim to activate actors to initiate and sustain social innovations for climate sustainabilityCases Impact Hub; Torino; Bristol City Lab; Mannheim City Lab; Wiener Klimateam
between PAs, companies, NGOs, universities, governmental organizations, etc., to address climate neutrality (stationary energy, energy generation, mobility & transport, green industry, circular economy, nature-based solutions) and social inclusion Cases Malmo; Zagreb
to support climate neutrality through a porfolio of social innovationinitiatives (i.e., urban spaces design, circular economy, etc.) Cases Paris 15 minute city; Mannheim
Scientific references Bolwig et al., 2020; Creutzig et al., 2022; Grottera et al., 2020; Hoppe & De Vries, 2019; Mukai et al., 2022; Rebaglio et al., 2022; Seppala, 2021; Schanes et al., 2016IndicatorsSI10.1.1 Reflexive learning on Systemic change
Scientific references Gregg et al., 2020 IndicatorsSI9.1.1 Cross-sector partnerships for climate neutralitySI9.1.2 Cross-sector partnerships' contribution to climate neutrality
Scientific references Bögel et al., 2022; Corubolo & Meroni, 2015; Meroni, 2019; Nicolopoulou et al., 2017; Moore et al., 2015; Murray et al., 2010; Rizzo et al., 2020; Tjahja, 2021; Westley & Antadze, 2010; Westley et al. 2014; World Economic Forum Report, 2013; World Health Organization, 2010IndicatorsSI8.1.1 Inclusion and collaborationSI8.1.2 SIs funded with PA business seedingSI8.1.3 Sustaining social innovationsSI8.1.4 Participation to social innovations
10.2 PA deploys co-creation and people-centered design
SI8.1.5 Measuring the impact of SISI8.1.6 Inclusion of minorities SI8.1.7 Targeting minorities
9.2 The municipality initiates the co-creation of SI initiatives
to leverage SI for achieving systemic change toward climate neutrality,i.e., in co-creating urban planning and city’s circular economy Cases Viable Cities; Blok 19 Renewal Program; Vitoria-Gasteiz; Pop-up Återbruk
for climate neutrality together with citizens, local companies, NGOs orother local organizations, to address climate neutrality (stationary energy,energy generation, mobility & transport, green industry, circular economy,nature-based solutions) and social inclusion Cases Better Reykjavik; KLIK
8.2 Social innovations accelerator
which provides training, support and funding to scale existing social innovations for climate neutrality Cases Clean Cities ClimAccelerator; VeniSIA
Scientific references Camocini et al. 2015; Wolfram & Frantzeskaki, 2016 IndicatorsSI10.2.1 PA deploys people-centered design for systemic change
Scientific references Chilvers & Longhurst, 2016 IndicatorsSI9.2.1 Social innovation initiatives co-created by the PA to address climate neutrality
Scientific references Gabriel, 2014; Haskell et al., 2021; Kern, 2019; Massaro et al., 2022; Moore et al., 2015; Westley & Antadze, 2010; Westley et al., 2014 IndicatorsSI8.2.1 SI scaling or mentoring programSI8.2.2 SI initiatives funded for scaling
SI8.2.3 Most successful SI initiatives SI8.2.4 Social innovation replication
Limasol's Pilot Activity
What is the challenge addressed?
What is the solution?
What is the impact?
Transferability
Urban Heat Island effect and high cooling energy demand due to individual systems.
Limassol implemented smart cooling interventions including NBS, energy-efficient retrofitting, and co-design with citizens to break the unsustainable cycle of urban heat management via individual AC use. The Lemesos Commons experiment introduced new circular governance and financial models.
Demonstrated cooling strategies and NBS, new co-management structures, citizen capacity building, and awareness of climate-neutral practices.
Co-design and co-management methodology, circular financial tools, NBS education strategies, and a playbook for inclusive governance.
Access the Pilot page:
Additional resources
Guimarães' Pilot Activity
What is the challenge addressed?
What is the solution?
What is the impact?
Transferability
District C is a testing ground for zero-emission carbon policies through a citizens' pact and co-creation strategies in energy, mobility, waste, land use, and circular economy. Theseactivities are organized in cooperation with local residents and stakeholders to encourage public engagement and foster sustainable development, tackling behavioural, financial, and regulatory barriers such as electricity consumption and ineficiency in building management.
Revitalization of a deprived neighbourhood. Citizens lack awareness, capacity, and means to act on energy transition.
Increased community engagement and improved local quality of life due to co-creation in energy, mobility, and land use.
The approach can be adapted to other deprived urban areas seeking to regenerate through community-driven initiatives.
Access the Pilot page:
Additional resources
Italian Cities' Pilot Activity
What is the challenge addressed?
What is the solution?
What is the impact?
Transferability
Fragmented energy transition efforts due to governance, data, and financing barriers.
Nine cities collaborate to overcome systemic barriers through multi-level, multi-stakeholder governance, addressing energy transition via: Engagement Cluster (energy alliances and prosumers), Data Cluster (governance through better data-sharing), Finance Cluster (agile financial strategies).
Pilot activities are tested across network, cluster, and city levels to ensure knowledge transfer and scalable impact.
Experimentation with multi-level governance and innovation in engagement, data-sharing, and finance to reduce energy-related emissions.
Engagement cluster methodology, data governance models, financial innovations, and practical toolkits for replication in other city contexts.
Access the Pilot page:
Additional resources
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Click on the different phases of the Actionable Pathways to see each step in detail
PREPARE
ACT
ACCELERATE
Click on the blue rectangles to access related case studies
City experiment fund
Click on the green button to access related Pilot city initiatives
Pilot City: Leuven, Belgium
What is the challenge addressed?
What is the solution?
What is the impact?
Transferability
Accelerating the energy transition in buildings—particularly heating—through integrated governance, financing, and civic engagement.
Leuven is activating governance, financial and participatory tools to support its energy strategy, particularly district heating systems and retrofitting. The approach includes blended finance, civic contracting, and cross-departmental collaboration.
Governance prototypes for integrated planning and accountability, civic contracting frameworks, and new financial instruments for local investment.
Toolbox for cross-department governance, civic contracting methodology, district transition guide, and a municipal investment vehicle prototype.
Access the Pilot page:
Additional resources
Galway's Pilot Activity
What is the challenge addressed?
What is the solution?
What is the impact?
Transferability
Improving energy efficiency in local communities.
Formation of a Community Energy Agency that aims to overcome systemic barriers in the retrofitting chain by engaging stakeholders through training, outreach, and support services. The pilot addresses workforce shortages, high costs, and administrative burdens, supporting Ireland's broader retrofit goals.
Overcome retrofit barriers via citizen engagement, capacity bulding, and a Quadruple Helix governance. Higher energy savings at community level.
Components like the agency model and community coordination methods can be implemented elsewhere.
Access the Pilot page:
Additional resources
Guimarães' Pilot Activity
What is the challenge addressed?
What is the solution?
What is the impact?
Transferability
District C is a testing ground for zero-emission carbon policies through a citizens' pact and co-creation strategies in energy, mobility, waste, land use, and circular economy. Theseactivities are organized in cooperation with local residents and stakeholders to encourage public engagement and foster sustainable development, tackling behavioural, financial, and regulatory barriers such as electricity consumption and ineficiency in building management.
Revitalization of a deprived neighbourhood. Citizens lack awareness, capacity, and means to act on energy transition.
Increased community engagement and improved local quality of life due to co-creation in energy, mobility, and land use.
The approach can be adapted to other deprived urban areas seeking to regenerate through community-driven initiatives.
Access the Pilot page:
Additional resources
The Netherlands' Pilot Activity
What is the challenge addressed?
What is the solution?
What is the impact?
Transferability
Lack of financing models for collective sustainable energy projects.
Establishment of District Investment Platforms to mobilize private capital (e.g. pension funds) for natural gas-free neighbourhoods. These platforms connect residents, municipalities, and investors to collaboratively finance and implement district-wide sustainable energy initiatives, and aim to align fragmented public and private investments for climate infrastructure.
District-level investment platforms engaging unconventional investors to co-create and finance climate investment plans. First positive results after two years; improved collaboration between stakeholders.
Methodology and experience can be shared with other cities developing collaborative investment frameworks.
Access the Pilot page:
Additional resources
Dijon's Pilot Activity
What is the challenge addressed?
What is the solution?
What is the impact?
Transferability
Low rate of building renovation and energy efficiency upgrades. Fragmented governance and systemic barriers in decarbonising mobility and buildings.
The Massification Operator (MO) is a multi-stakeholder governance tool that supports coordination and scaling transition projects in mobility and buildings, targeting the residential sector with integrated packages to facilitate energy retrofitting. This pilot will act as a one-stop-shop with planning, financing, and procurement functions to address systemic barriers.
Structured approach to facilitate planning, financing and scaling up of energy renovations; development of a learning framework.
A learning framework will be defined to ease replication by other cities willing to tackle similar challenges.
Access the Pilot page:
Additional resources
Galway's Pilot Activity
What is the challenge addressed?
What is the solution?
What is the impact?
Transferability
Improving energy efficiency in local communities.
Formation of a Community Energy Agency that aims to overcome systemic barriers in the retrofitting chain by engaging stakeholders through training, outreach, and support services. The pilot addresses workforce shortages, high costs, and administrative burdens, supporting Ireland's broader retrofit goals.
Overcome retrofit barriers via citizen engagement, capacity bulding, and a Quadruple Helix governance. Higher energy savings at community level.
Components like the agency model and community coordination methods can be implemented elsewhere.
Access the Pilot page:
Additional resources
Cluj Napoca's Pilot Activity
What is the challenge addressed?
What is the solution?
What is the impact?
Transferability
Cluj-Napoca focuses on transitioning dense residential areas through multi-level intervention model combining behavioral analysis, urban planning toolkits, public policy innovation, and a Climate Neutrality Digital Twin. A central role is played by the Civic Imagination & Innovation Center (CIIC), which facilitates participatory governance, policy innovation, and neighborhood-level engagement through actions like the Net Zero Caravan and digital storytelling.
Decarbonizing high-density residential neighborhoods with complex stakeholder dynamics and limited citizen readiness.
Strategic masterplans, neighborhood-level designs, new participatory governance models, improved citizen engagement, and capacity building for local ecosystem actors.
Behavioral analysis methodologies, CIIC model, urban planning ToRs, co-design tools, Net Zero Caravan, and guides for participatory processes and adaptation at neighborhood level.
Access the Pilot page:
Additional resources
Pilot city: Budapest, Hungary
What is the challenge addressed?
What is the solution?
What is the impact?
Transferability
Energy poverty and low renovation incentives due to national policy and funding limitations.
The city is creating a Climate Agency in the form of a one-stop-shop model to mobilize financing and implement energy efficient renovations in private buildings. It will partner with banks and the focus is on the development of technical refurbishment plans and energy community solutions for multi-apartment buildings, focusing on social engagement and organizational support.
Increased energy efficiency, resident participation, and establishment of new collective models.
The approach includes modular components, enabling adaptation in other urban cont exts with similar building stocks.
Access the Pilot page:
Additional resources
Spanish Cities' Pilot Activity
What is the challenge addressed?
What is the solution?
What is the impact?
Transferability
Decarbonizing the built environment across cities with diverse socio-climatic profiles.
Seven Spanish cities are jointly piloting actions for building decarbonization, promoting energy rehabilitation, renewables, and low-carbon materials. The cross-context approach aims to generate transferable knowledge.
Shared strategies, retrofit pilots, innovative business models, and a cross-city learning framework. Simultaneous pilots to promote energy efficiency, local materials, and renewable energy across diverse contexts.
Manuals on retrofitting and local materials, stakeholder mapping report, policy and financing models, replicability strategy (After-Plan), and cross-city lessons publication.
Access the Pilot page:
Additional resources
Pilot City: Leuven, Belgium
What is the challenge addressed?
What is the solution?
What is the impact?
Transferability
Accelerating the energy transition in buildings—particularly heating—through integrated governance, financing, and civic engagement.
Leuven is activating governance, financial and participatory tools to support its energy strategy, particularly district heating systems and retrofitting. The approach includes blended finance, civic contracting, and cross-departmental collaboration.
Governance prototypes for integrated planning and accountability, civic contracting frameworks, and new financial instruments for local investment.
Toolbox for cross-department governance, civic contracting methodology, district transition guide, and a municipal investment vehicle prototype.
Access the Pilot page:
Additional resources
Liberec's Pilot Activity
What is the challenge addressed?
What is the solution?
What is the impact?
Transferability
Limited uptake of renewables, e-mobility, and energy communities due to regulatory and communication barriers.
Liberec focus is on building energy communities and developing strategies for electric mobility, supported by public engagement and a university collaboration. The city developed manuals and teaching platforms to align spatial and energy planning. Efforts also emphasize raising awareness, stakeholder cooperation, and adapting the new national legislation.
Plans for energy communities, a roadmap for EV infrastructure, improved citizen awareness, and stakeholder collaboration strategies.
Manual for integrating urban and energy planning, teaching platform connecting city and university, communication tools, stakeholder mapping approach, and community energy guidelines.
Access the Pilot page:
Additional resources
Italian Cities' Pilot Activity
What is the challenge addressed?
What is the solution?
What is the impact?
Transferability
Fragmented energy transition efforts due to governance, data, and financing barriers.
Nine cities collaborate to overcome systemic barriers through multi-level, multi-stakeholder governance, addressing energy transition via: Engagement Cluster (energy alliances and prosumers), Data Cluster (governance through better data-sharing), Finance Cluster (agile financial strategies).
Pilot activities are tested across network, cluster, and city levels to ensure knowledge transfer and scalable impact.
Experimentation with multi-level governance and innovation in engagement, data-sharing, and finance to reduce energy-related emissions.
Engagement cluster methodology, data governance models, financial innovations, and practical toolkits for replication in other city contexts.
Access the Pilot page:
Additional resources
The Netherlands' Pilot Activity
What is the challenge addressed?
What is the solution?
What is the impact?
Transferability
Lack of financing models for collective sustainable energy projects.
Establishment of District Investment Platforms to mobilize private capital (e.g. pension funds) for natural gas-free neighbourhoods. These platforms connect residents, municipalities, and investors to collaboratively finance and implement district-wide sustainable energy initiatives, and aim to align fragmented public and private investments for climate infrastructure.
District-level investment platforms engaging unconventional investors to co-create and finance climate investment plans. First positive results after two years; improved collaboration between stakeholders.
Methodology and experience can be shared with other cities developing collaborative investment frameworks.
Access the Pilot page:
Additional resources
Spanish Cities' Pilot Activity
What is the challenge addressed?
What is the solution?
What is the impact?
Transferability
Decarbonizing the built environment across cities with diverse socio-climatic profiles.
Seven Spanish cities are jointly piloting actions for building decarbonization, promoting energy rehabilitation, renewables, and low-carbon materials. The cross-context approach aims to generate transferable knowledge.
Shared strategies, retrofit pilots, innovative business models, and a cross-city learning framework. Simultaneous pilots to promote energy efficiency, local materials, and renewable energy across diverse contexts.
Manuals on retrofitting and local materials, stakeholder mapping report, policy and financing models, replicability strategy (After-Plan), and cross-city lessons publication.
Access the Pilot page:
Additional resources
Cluj Napoca's Pilot Activity
What is the challenge addressed?
What is the solution?
What is the impact?
Transferability
Cluj-Napoca focuses on transitioning dense residential areas through multi-level intervention model combining behavioral analysis, urban planning toolkits, public policy innovation, and a Climate Neutrality Digital Twin. A central role is played by the Civic Imagination & Innovation Center (CIIC), which facilitates participatory governance, policy innovation, and neighborhood-level engagement through actions like the Net Zero Caravan and digital storytelling.
Decarbonizing high-density residential neighborhoods with complex stakeholder dynamics and limited citizen readiness.
Strategic masterplans, neighborhood-level designs, new participatory governance models, improved citizen engagement, and capacity building for local ecosystem actors.
Behavioral analysis methodologies, CIIC model, urban planning ToRs, co-design tools, Net Zero Caravan, and guides for participatory processes and adaptation at neighborhood level.
Access the Pilot page:
Additional resources
Limassol's Pilot Activity
What is the challenge addressed?
What is the solution?
What is the impact?
Transferability
Urban Heat Island effect and high cooling energy demand due to individual systems.
Limassol implemented smart cooling interventions including NBS, energy-efficient retrofitting, and co-design with citizens to break the unsustainable cycle of urban heat management via individual AC use. The Lemesos Commons experiment introduced new circular governance and financial models.
Demonstrated cooling strategies and NBS, new co-management structures, citizen capacity building, and awareness of climate-neutral practices.
Co-design and co-management methodology, circular financial tools, NBS education strategies, and a playbook for inclusive governance.
Access the Pilot page:
Additional resources
Dijon's Pilot Activity
What is the challenge addressed?
What is the solution?
What is the impact?
Transferability
Low rate of building renovation and energy efficiency upgrades. Fragmented governance and systemic barriers in decarbonising mobility and buildings.
The Massification Operator (MO) is a multi-stakeholder governance tool that supports coordination and scaling transition projects in mobility and buildings, targeting the residential sector with integrated packages to facilitate energy retrofitting. This pilot will act as a one-stop-shop with planning, financing, and procurement functions to address systemic barriers.
Structured approach to facilitate planning, financing and scaling up of energy renovations; development of a learning framework.
A learning framework will be defined to ease replication by other cities willing to tackle similar challenges.
Access the Pilot page:
Additional resources
Liberec's Pilot Activity
What is the challenge addressed?
What is the solution?
What is the impact?
Transferability
Limited uptake of renewables, e-mobility, and energy communities due to regulatory and communication barriers.
Liberec focus is on building energy communities and developing strategies for electric mobility, supported by public engagement and a university collaboration. The city developed manuals and teaching platforms to align spatial and energy planning. Efforts also emphasize raising awareness, stakeholder cooperation, and adapting the new national legislation.
Plans for energy communities, a roadmap for EV infrastructure, improved citizen awareness, and stakeholder collaboration strategies.
Manual for integrating urban and energy planning, teaching platform connecting city and university, communication tools, stakeholder mapping approach, and community energy guidelines.
Access the Pilot page:
Additional resources
Pilot city: Budapest, Hungary
What is the challenge addressed?
What is the solution?
What is the impact?
Transferability
Energy poverty and low renovation incentives due to national policy and funding limitations.
The city is creating a Climate Agency in the form of a one-stop-shop model to mobilize financing and implement energy efficient renovations in private buildings. It will partner with banks and the focus is on the development of technical refurbishment plans and energy community solutions for multi-apartment buildings, focusing on social engagement and organizational support.
Increased energy efficiency, resident participation, and establishment of new collective models.
The approach includes modular components, enabling adaptation in other urban cont exts with similar building stocks.
Access the Pilot page:
Additional resources
Social Innovation Actionable Pathways
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Transcript
SI Methods
Social Innovation Actionable Pathways
ACT
ACCELERATE
PREPARE
PREPARE
ACT
ACCELERATE
1. Public administration capacity building in socialinnovation for climate neutrality
4. Citizens' capacity building in social innovation
8. Incubating and accelerating social innovations
IndicatorsSI8.1.1 Inclusion and collaborationSI8.1.2 SIs funded with PA business seedingSI8.1.3 Sustaining social innovationsSI8.1.4 Participation to social innovationsSI8.1.5 Measuring the impact of SISI8.1.6 Inclusion of minoritiesSI8.1.7 Targeting minorities
8.1 Social innovation incubator
IndicatorsSI4.1.1 Citizens' social Innovation skills developmentSI4.1.2 Social Innovation initiatives created
IndicatorsSI1.1.1 Social Innovation skills development activitiesSI1.1.2 PA Social Innovation skills development
4.1 Social innovation training
1.1 PA skills development
established by the PA which provides training, mentoring, infrastructures (places for co-working) and seeding (start-up funds), with the aim to activate actors to initiate and sustain social innovations for climate sustainability
provided by the city or partners, to citizens, companies, NGOs personnel, schools or other entities
with courses and workshops on social innovation for sustainability
City experiment fund
Positive Energy Districts
Scientific referencesBaer et al. 2021; Diepenmaat et al. 2020; Creutzig et al. 2022; WEF Report (2013)
Cases
Scientific referencesBaer et al. 2021; Diepenmaat et al. 2020; Creutzig et al. 2022; WEF Report, 2013
City experiment fund
Positive Energy Districts
Cases
Scientific referencesBögel et al., 2022; Corubolo & Meroni, 2015; Meroni, 2019; Nicolopoulou et al., 2017; Moore et al., 2015; Murray et al., 2010; Rizzo et al., 2020; Tjahja, 2021; Westley & Antadze, 2010; Westley et al. 2014; World Economic Forum Report, 2013; World Health Organization, 2010
Bristol City Lab
Wiener Klimateam
Mannheim City Lab
Torino
Cases
5. City social innovation mapping/observatory
Indicators SI1.2.1 Number of social Innovation experts
1.2 Network of experts
in social innovation for climate neutrality to which the municipality has access
8.2 Social innovations accelerator
IndicatorsSI8.2.1 SI scaling or mentoring programSI8.2.2 SI initiatives funded for scalingSI8.2.3 Most successful SI initiativesSI8.2.4 Social innovation replication
which provides training, support and funding to scale existing social innovations for climate neutrality
Scientific referencesTerstriep et al., 2020
City-studio (Spain)
Cases
IndicatorsSI4.1.1 Citizens' social Innovation skills developmentSI4.1.2 Social Innovation initiatives created
5.1 Mapping of cities' existing social innovations
and potential partners in a dedicated map or platform (observatory
VeniSIA
Clean Cities ClimAccelerator
Cases
Scientific referencesGabriel, 2014; Haskell et al., 2021; Kern, 2019; Massaro et al., 2022; Moore et al., 2015; Westley & Antadze, 2010; Westley et al., 2014
Florianopolis
Scientific references Andion et al., 2021; Morais da Silva et al., 2016
Cases
2. Social innovation in the Transition Teamand in the city’s action plan
Galway
Cluj-Napoca
Dijon
Pilot City Programme
9. Co-creation and cross-sector partnerships
6. City social innovation policies
2.1 Establishment of Transition Team with social innovation competence
2.1 Establishment of Transition Team with social innovation competence
IndicatorsSI2.1.1 Number of social innovation experts in the Transition Team
9.1 Cross-sector partnerships
Indicators SI9.1.1 Cross-sector partnerships for climate neutralitySI9.1.2 Cross-sector partnerships' contribution to climate neutrality
with cross-departmental members
with cross-departmental members
IndicatorsSI2.2.2 Policies that support social innovation for climate sustainabilitySI6.1.2 Policies co-creation
between PAs, companies, NGOs, universities, governmental organizations, etc., to address climate neutrality (stationary energy, energy generation,mobility & transport, green industry, circular economy, nature-based solutions) and social inclusion
Turku's Climate Team
PentaHelix
6.1 Development of a portfolio of policies
PentaHelix
Cases
Cases
Scientific referencesCeschin & Gaziulusoy, 2016; World Economic Forum Report, 2013
to support social innovation for climate sustainability. Policies can becreated together with citizens and urban stakeholders.
Leuven
Scientific referencesGregg et al., 2020
Scientific referencesHržica et al. 2021; Moore et al., 2015; Ostfeld & Reiner, 2020; Schartinger et al.,2017; Selloni & Manzini, 2016; Terstriep et al., 2020; World Economic Forum Report, 2013
Pilot City Programme
Pentahelix
Bologna
Milan
Malmo
Zagreb
Cases
Cases
Spanish Cities
Pilot City Programme
IndicatorsSI2.2.2 Social innovations in the city strategy
2.2 Embedding social innovation in the city’s CCC and Action Plan
6.2 The municipality actively seeks the procurement / purchase of solutions and goods
9.2 The municipality initiates the co-creation of SI initiatives
Indicators SI9.2.1 Social innovation initiatives co-created by the PA to address climate neutralit
Scientific referencesCastro-Spila et al., 2016; Ceschin & Gaziulusoy, 2016; Hržica et al., 2021; Terstriep et al., 2020; Voß, J. P., & Bornemann 2011; World Health Organization, 2011
IndicatorsSI6.2.1 Percentage of social innovation procurement
Barcelona co-creating a climate plan with citizens (Spain)
Just Transition Listening Platform (Spain)
Cases
that meet the criteria of social innovation (solutions that are social in themeans and in the end)
which provides training, support and funding to scale existing social innovations for climate neutrality
Scientific references Chilvers & Longhurst, 2016
Scientific referencesMačiulytė & Durieux, 2020; World Economic Forum Report, 2013
Oslo Public procurement for innovative nature based solutions
Torino
KLIK
Better Reykjavik
Cases
Cases
IndicatorsSI2.3.1 Media strategy on SI for sustainability
2.3 Development of the city's media strategy
Guimarães
Limassol
Italian Cities
Pilot City Programme
on social innovation for climate neutrality
Scientific referencesCole, 2021; Rosenbloom et al., 2016
7. Co-creation platforms and environmentsestablished by the public administration
10. SI included in systemic innovation
3. Funding for social innovation initiatives
7.1 Co-creation platforms and environments
10.1 PA top-down initiatives to reconfigure the system
Indicators SI10.1.1 Reflexive learning on Systemic change
established by the PA: SI and living lab; SI platform, incubator, accelerator, and dedicated places; networking events
IndicatorsSI7.1.1 Social innovation infrastructure
which provides training, support and funding to scale existing social innovations for climate neutrality
Scientific references Bolwig et al., 2020; Creutzig et al., 2022; Grottera et al., 2020; Hoppe & De Vries,2019; Mukai et al., 2022; Rebaglio et al., 2022; Seppala, 2021; Schanes et al., 2016
Mannheim
Bologna
Nappi Naapuri
Sveta Nedelja
Bristol City Lab
3.1 Sourcing of funding
Scientific referencesAndion et al., 2021; Hržica et al., 2021; Morais da Silva et al. 2016; Puerari et al., 2018; Selloni D., 2017; Terstriep et al., 2020; The Economist Intelligent Unit, 2013
Cases
to finance social innovation initiatives for climate neutrality
Mannheim
Paris 15 minute city
Cases
El dia después
Just transition listening platform
Espoo: A co-creation toolkit
IndicatorsSI3.1.1 Funds for social innovation
Sonnet Bristol City lab
Just Transition Fund
City experiment funds
Cases
10.2 PA deploys co-creation and people-centered design
Liberec
Pilot City Programme
Scientific referencesHržica et al., 2021; Terstriep et al., 2020; World Economic Forum Report, 2013
IndicatorsSI10.2.1 PA deploys people-centered design for systemic change
Mannheim
Participatory Budgeting (Croatia)
Antwerp participatorybudgeting
You decide
to leverage SI for achieving systemic change toward climate neutrality, i.e., in co-creating urban planning and city’s circular economy
Indicators SI7.2.1 City provides open data
7.2 The city shares open data to support citizens'
Budapest
Dutch Cities
Pilot City Programme
Scientific referencesCamocini et al. 2015; Wolfram & Frantzeskaki, 2016
Scientific referencesThe Economist Intelligence Unit, 2013; Wuebben et al., 2020
Pop-up Återbruk
Blok 19 Renewal Program
Vitoria-Gasteiz
Viable Cities
Cases
initiatives development, & involves them in data collection
NetZeroCities Social Innovation Actionable Pathways
PREPARE
3. Funding for social innovation initiatives
2. Social innovation in the Transition Team and in the city’s action plan
1. Public administration capacity building in social innovation for climate neutrality
1.1 PA skills development
2.1 Establishment of Transition Team with social innovation competence
3.1 Sourcing of funding
with courses and workshops on social innovation for sustainability Cases City experiment fund; Positive Energy Districts
to finance social innovation initiatives for climate neutrality Cases Sonnet Bristol City lab; You decide; Antwerp participatory budgeting; Mannheim; Just Transition Fund; City experiment funds
with cross-departmental members Cases PentaHelix; Turku's Climate Team
Scientific references Baer et al. 2021; Diepenmaat et al. 2020; Creutzig et al. 2022; WEF Report (2013) Indicators SI1.1.1 Social Innovation skills development activities SI1.1.2 PA Social Innovation skills development
Scientific references Ceschin & Gaziulusoy, 2016; World Economic Forum Report, 2013 Indicators SI2.1.1 Number of social innovation experts in the Trantion Team
2.2 Embedding social innovation in the city’s CCC and Action Plan
Scientific references Hržica et al., 2021; Terstriep et al., 2020; World Economic Forum Report, 2013 IndicatorsSI3.1.1 Funds for social innovation
Cases Barcelona co-creating a climate plan with citizens (Spain);Just Transition Listening Platform (Spain)
1.2 Network of experts
in social innovation for climate neutrality to which the municipality has access Cases City-studio (Spain)
Scientific references Castro-Spila et al., 2016; Ceschin & Gaziulusoy, 2016; Hržica et al., 2021;Terstriep et al., 2020; Voß, J. P., & Bornemann 2011; World Health Organization, 2011 Indicators SI2.2.2 Social innovations in the city strategy
Scientific references Terstriep et al., 2020 Indicators SI1.2.1 Number of social Innovation experts
2.3 Development of the city's media strategy
on social innovation for climate neutralityCases Framing the Sun (Canada)
Scientific references Cole, 2021; Rosenbloom et al., 2016IndicatorsSI2.3.1 Media strategy on SI for sustainability
NetZeroCities Social Innovation Actionable Pathways
ACT
7. Co-creation platforms and environmentsestablished by the public administration
4. Citizens' capacity building in social innovation
5. City social innovation mapping/observatory
6. City social innovation policies
7.1 Co-creation platforms and environments
6.1 Development of a portfolio of policies
4.1 Social innovation training
5.1 Mapping of cities' existing social innovations
provided by the city or partners, to citizens, companies, NGOs personnel, schools or other entities. Cases City experiment fund; Positive Energy Districts ; Residents Assemble for Climate
established by the PA: SI and living lab; SI platform, incubator, accelerator, and dedicated places; networking events Cases Bristol City Lab; Mannheim; Nappi Naapuri; Bologna; El dia despues; Just transition listening platform
to support social innovation for climate sustainability. Policies can be created together with citizens and urban stakeholders.Cases Bologna; Milan; Apulia; PentaHelix; Spain food waste policies
and potential partners in a dedicated map or platform (observatory) Cases Florianopolis
Scientific references Baer et al. 2021; Diepenmaat et al. 2020; Creutzig et al. 2022; WEF Report, 2013 IndicatorsSI4.1.1 Citizens' social Innovation skills developmentSI4.1.2 Social Innovation initiatives created
Scientific references Andion et al., 2021; Morais da Silva et al., 2016 IndicatorsSI5.1.1 Presence of a Social innovation observatorySI5.1.2 Number of mapped social innovations
Scientific references Andion et al., 2021; Hržica et al., 2021; Morais da Silva et al. 2016; Puerari et al., 2018; Selloni D., 2017; Terstriep et al., 2020; The Economist Intelligent Unit, 2013IndicatorsSI7.1.1 Social innovation infrastructure
Scientific references Hržica et al. 2021; Moore et al., 2015; Ostfeld & Reiner, 2020; Schartinger et al., 2017; Selloni & Manzini, 2016; Terstriep et al., 2020; World Economic Forum Report, 2013 IndicatorsSI2.2.2 Policies that support social innovation for climate sustainabilitySI6.1.2 Policies co-creation
7.2 The city shares open data to support citizens'
6.2 The municipality actively seeks the procurement / purchase of solutions and goods
initiatives development, & involves them in data collection Cases UK government transparency open data policy
that meet the criteria of social innovation (solutions that are social in the means and in the end) Cases Oslo Public procurement for innovative nature based solutions; Manchester; Wroclaw; Torino
Scientific references The Economist Intelligence Unit, 2013; Wuebben et al., 2020 IndicatorsSI7.2.1 City provides open data
Scientific references Mačiulytė & Durieux, 2020; World Economic Forum Report, 2013 IndicatorsSI6.2.1 Percentage of social innovation procurement
NetZeroCities Social Innovation Actionable Pathways
ACCELERATE
3. Funding for social innovation initiatives
2. Social innovation in the Transition Team and in the city’s action plan
8. Incubating and accelerating social innovations
8.1 Social innovation incubator
9.1 Cross-sector partnerships
10.1 PA top-down initiatives to reconfigure the system
established by the PA which provides training, mentoring, infrastructures (places for co-working) and seeding (start-up funds), with the aim to activate actors to initiate and sustain social innovations for climate sustainabilityCases Impact Hub; Torino; Bristol City Lab; Mannheim City Lab; Wiener Klimateam
between PAs, companies, NGOs, universities, governmental organizations, etc., to address climate neutrality (stationary energy, energy generation, mobility & transport, green industry, circular economy, nature-based solutions) and social inclusion Cases Malmo; Zagreb
to support climate neutrality through a porfolio of social innovationinitiatives (i.e., urban spaces design, circular economy, etc.) Cases Paris 15 minute city; Mannheim
Scientific references Bolwig et al., 2020; Creutzig et al., 2022; Grottera et al., 2020; Hoppe & De Vries, 2019; Mukai et al., 2022; Rebaglio et al., 2022; Seppala, 2021; Schanes et al., 2016IndicatorsSI10.1.1 Reflexive learning on Systemic change
Scientific references Gregg et al., 2020 IndicatorsSI9.1.1 Cross-sector partnerships for climate neutralitySI9.1.2 Cross-sector partnerships' contribution to climate neutrality
Scientific references Bögel et al., 2022; Corubolo & Meroni, 2015; Meroni, 2019; Nicolopoulou et al., 2017; Moore et al., 2015; Murray et al., 2010; Rizzo et al., 2020; Tjahja, 2021; Westley & Antadze, 2010; Westley et al. 2014; World Economic Forum Report, 2013; World Health Organization, 2010IndicatorsSI8.1.1 Inclusion and collaborationSI8.1.2 SIs funded with PA business seedingSI8.1.3 Sustaining social innovationsSI8.1.4 Participation to social innovations
10.2 PA deploys co-creation and people-centered design
SI8.1.5 Measuring the impact of SISI8.1.6 Inclusion of minorities SI8.1.7 Targeting minorities
9.2 The municipality initiates the co-creation of SI initiatives
to leverage SI for achieving systemic change toward climate neutrality,i.e., in co-creating urban planning and city’s circular economy Cases Viable Cities; Blok 19 Renewal Program; Vitoria-Gasteiz; Pop-up Återbruk
for climate neutrality together with citizens, local companies, NGOs orother local organizations, to address climate neutrality (stationary energy,energy generation, mobility & transport, green industry, circular economy,nature-based solutions) and social inclusion Cases Better Reykjavik; KLIK
8.2 Social innovations accelerator
which provides training, support and funding to scale existing social innovations for climate neutrality Cases Clean Cities ClimAccelerator; VeniSIA
Scientific references Camocini et al. 2015; Wolfram & Frantzeskaki, 2016 IndicatorsSI10.2.1 PA deploys people-centered design for systemic change
Scientific references Chilvers & Longhurst, 2016 IndicatorsSI9.2.1 Social innovation initiatives co-created by the PA to address climate neutrality
Scientific references Gabriel, 2014; Haskell et al., 2021; Kern, 2019; Massaro et al., 2022; Moore et al., 2015; Westley & Antadze, 2010; Westley et al., 2014 IndicatorsSI8.2.1 SI scaling or mentoring programSI8.2.2 SI initiatives funded for scaling
SI8.2.3 Most successful SI initiatives SI8.2.4 Social innovation replication
Limasol's Pilot Activity
What is the challenge addressed?
What is the solution?
What is the impact?
Transferability
Urban Heat Island effect and high cooling energy demand due to individual systems.
Limassol implemented smart cooling interventions including NBS, energy-efficient retrofitting, and co-design with citizens to break the unsustainable cycle of urban heat management via individual AC use. The Lemesos Commons experiment introduced new circular governance and financial models.
Demonstrated cooling strategies and NBS, new co-management structures, citizen capacity building, and awareness of climate-neutral practices.
Co-design and co-management methodology, circular financial tools, NBS education strategies, and a playbook for inclusive governance.
Access the Pilot page:
Additional resources
Guimarães' Pilot Activity
What is the challenge addressed?
What is the solution?
What is the impact?
Transferability
District C is a testing ground for zero-emission carbon policies through a citizens' pact and co-creation strategies in energy, mobility, waste, land use, and circular economy. Theseactivities are organized in cooperation with local residents and stakeholders to encourage public engagement and foster sustainable development, tackling behavioural, financial, and regulatory barriers such as electricity consumption and ineficiency in building management.
Revitalization of a deprived neighbourhood. Citizens lack awareness, capacity, and means to act on energy transition.
Increased community engagement and improved local quality of life due to co-creation in energy, mobility, and land use.
The approach can be adapted to other deprived urban areas seeking to regenerate through community-driven initiatives.
Access the Pilot page:
Additional resources
Italian Cities' Pilot Activity
What is the challenge addressed?
What is the solution?
What is the impact?
Transferability
Fragmented energy transition efforts due to governance, data, and financing barriers.
Nine cities collaborate to overcome systemic barriers through multi-level, multi-stakeholder governance, addressing energy transition via: Engagement Cluster (energy alliances and prosumers), Data Cluster (governance through better data-sharing), Finance Cluster (agile financial strategies). Pilot activities are tested across network, cluster, and city levels to ensure knowledge transfer and scalable impact.
Experimentation with multi-level governance and innovation in engagement, data-sharing, and finance to reduce energy-related emissions.
Engagement cluster methodology, data governance models, financial innovations, and practical toolkits for replication in other city contexts.
Access the Pilot page:
Additional resources
Navigation
Click on the different phases of the Actionable Pathways to see each step in detail
PREPARE
ACT
ACCELERATE
Click on the blue rectangles to access related case studies
City experiment fund
Click on the green button to access related Pilot city initiatives
Pilot City: Leuven, Belgium
What is the challenge addressed?
What is the solution?
What is the impact?
Transferability
Accelerating the energy transition in buildings—particularly heating—through integrated governance, financing, and civic engagement.
Leuven is activating governance, financial and participatory tools to support its energy strategy, particularly district heating systems and retrofitting. The approach includes blended finance, civic contracting, and cross-departmental collaboration.
Governance prototypes for integrated planning and accountability, civic contracting frameworks, and new financial instruments for local investment.
Toolbox for cross-department governance, civic contracting methodology, district transition guide, and a municipal investment vehicle prototype.
Access the Pilot page:
Additional resources
Galway's Pilot Activity
What is the challenge addressed?
What is the solution?
What is the impact?
Transferability
Improving energy efficiency in local communities.
Formation of a Community Energy Agency that aims to overcome systemic barriers in the retrofitting chain by engaging stakeholders through training, outreach, and support services. The pilot addresses workforce shortages, high costs, and administrative burdens, supporting Ireland's broader retrofit goals.
Overcome retrofit barriers via citizen engagement, capacity bulding, and a Quadruple Helix governance. Higher energy savings at community level.
Components like the agency model and community coordination methods can be implemented elsewhere.
Access the Pilot page:
Additional resources
Guimarães' Pilot Activity
What is the challenge addressed?
What is the solution?
What is the impact?
Transferability
District C is a testing ground for zero-emission carbon policies through a citizens' pact and co-creation strategies in energy, mobility, waste, land use, and circular economy. Theseactivities are organized in cooperation with local residents and stakeholders to encourage public engagement and foster sustainable development, tackling behavioural, financial, and regulatory barriers such as electricity consumption and ineficiency in building management.
Revitalization of a deprived neighbourhood. Citizens lack awareness, capacity, and means to act on energy transition.
Increased community engagement and improved local quality of life due to co-creation in energy, mobility, and land use.
The approach can be adapted to other deprived urban areas seeking to regenerate through community-driven initiatives.
Access the Pilot page:
Additional resources
The Netherlands' Pilot Activity
What is the challenge addressed?
What is the solution?
What is the impact?
Transferability
Lack of financing models for collective sustainable energy projects.
Establishment of District Investment Platforms to mobilize private capital (e.g. pension funds) for natural gas-free neighbourhoods. These platforms connect residents, municipalities, and investors to collaboratively finance and implement district-wide sustainable energy initiatives, and aim to align fragmented public and private investments for climate infrastructure.
District-level investment platforms engaging unconventional investors to co-create and finance climate investment plans. First positive results after two years; improved collaboration between stakeholders.
Methodology and experience can be shared with other cities developing collaborative investment frameworks.
Access the Pilot page:
Additional resources
Dijon's Pilot Activity
What is the challenge addressed?
What is the solution?
What is the impact?
Transferability
Low rate of building renovation and energy efficiency upgrades. Fragmented governance and systemic barriers in decarbonising mobility and buildings.
The Massification Operator (MO) is a multi-stakeholder governance tool that supports coordination and scaling transition projects in mobility and buildings, targeting the residential sector with integrated packages to facilitate energy retrofitting. This pilot will act as a one-stop-shop with planning, financing, and procurement functions to address systemic barriers.
Structured approach to facilitate planning, financing and scaling up of energy renovations; development of a learning framework.
A learning framework will be defined to ease replication by other cities willing to tackle similar challenges.
Access the Pilot page:
Additional resources
Galway's Pilot Activity
What is the challenge addressed?
What is the solution?
What is the impact?
Transferability
Improving energy efficiency in local communities.
Formation of a Community Energy Agency that aims to overcome systemic barriers in the retrofitting chain by engaging stakeholders through training, outreach, and support services. The pilot addresses workforce shortages, high costs, and administrative burdens, supporting Ireland's broader retrofit goals.
Overcome retrofit barriers via citizen engagement, capacity bulding, and a Quadruple Helix governance. Higher energy savings at community level.
Components like the agency model and community coordination methods can be implemented elsewhere.
Access the Pilot page:
Additional resources
Cluj Napoca's Pilot Activity
What is the challenge addressed?
What is the solution?
What is the impact?
Transferability
Cluj-Napoca focuses on transitioning dense residential areas through multi-level intervention model combining behavioral analysis, urban planning toolkits, public policy innovation, and a Climate Neutrality Digital Twin. A central role is played by the Civic Imagination & Innovation Center (CIIC), which facilitates participatory governance, policy innovation, and neighborhood-level engagement through actions like the Net Zero Caravan and digital storytelling.
Decarbonizing high-density residential neighborhoods with complex stakeholder dynamics and limited citizen readiness.
Strategic masterplans, neighborhood-level designs, new participatory governance models, improved citizen engagement, and capacity building for local ecosystem actors.
Behavioral analysis methodologies, CIIC model, urban planning ToRs, co-design tools, Net Zero Caravan, and guides for participatory processes and adaptation at neighborhood level.
Access the Pilot page:
Additional resources
Pilot city: Budapest, Hungary
What is the challenge addressed?
What is the solution?
What is the impact?
Transferability
Energy poverty and low renovation incentives due to national policy and funding limitations.
The city is creating a Climate Agency in the form of a one-stop-shop model to mobilize financing and implement energy efficient renovations in private buildings. It will partner with banks and the focus is on the development of technical refurbishment plans and energy community solutions for multi-apartment buildings, focusing on social engagement and organizational support.
Increased energy efficiency, resident participation, and establishment of new collective models.
The approach includes modular components, enabling adaptation in other urban cont exts with similar building stocks.
Access the Pilot page:
Additional resources
Spanish Cities' Pilot Activity
What is the challenge addressed?
What is the solution?
What is the impact?
Transferability
Decarbonizing the built environment across cities with diverse socio-climatic profiles.
Seven Spanish cities are jointly piloting actions for building decarbonization, promoting energy rehabilitation, renewables, and low-carbon materials. The cross-context approach aims to generate transferable knowledge.
Shared strategies, retrofit pilots, innovative business models, and a cross-city learning framework. Simultaneous pilots to promote energy efficiency, local materials, and renewable energy across diverse contexts.
Manuals on retrofitting and local materials, stakeholder mapping report, policy and financing models, replicability strategy (After-Plan), and cross-city lessons publication.
Access the Pilot page:
Additional resources
Pilot City: Leuven, Belgium
What is the challenge addressed?
What is the solution?
What is the impact?
Transferability
Accelerating the energy transition in buildings—particularly heating—through integrated governance, financing, and civic engagement.
Leuven is activating governance, financial and participatory tools to support its energy strategy, particularly district heating systems and retrofitting. The approach includes blended finance, civic contracting, and cross-departmental collaboration.
Governance prototypes for integrated planning and accountability, civic contracting frameworks, and new financial instruments for local investment.
Toolbox for cross-department governance, civic contracting methodology, district transition guide, and a municipal investment vehicle prototype.
Access the Pilot page:
Additional resources
Liberec's Pilot Activity
What is the challenge addressed?
What is the solution?
What is the impact?
Transferability
Limited uptake of renewables, e-mobility, and energy communities due to regulatory and communication barriers.
Liberec focus is on building energy communities and developing strategies for electric mobility, supported by public engagement and a university collaboration. The city developed manuals and teaching platforms to align spatial and energy planning. Efforts also emphasize raising awareness, stakeholder cooperation, and adapting the new national legislation.
Plans for energy communities, a roadmap for EV infrastructure, improved citizen awareness, and stakeholder collaboration strategies.
Manual for integrating urban and energy planning, teaching platform connecting city and university, communication tools, stakeholder mapping approach, and community energy guidelines.
Access the Pilot page:
Additional resources
Italian Cities' Pilot Activity
What is the challenge addressed?
What is the solution?
What is the impact?
Transferability
Fragmented energy transition efforts due to governance, data, and financing barriers.
Nine cities collaborate to overcome systemic barriers through multi-level, multi-stakeholder governance, addressing energy transition via: Engagement Cluster (energy alliances and prosumers), Data Cluster (governance through better data-sharing), Finance Cluster (agile financial strategies). Pilot activities are tested across network, cluster, and city levels to ensure knowledge transfer and scalable impact.
Experimentation with multi-level governance and innovation in engagement, data-sharing, and finance to reduce energy-related emissions.
Engagement cluster methodology, data governance models, financial innovations, and practical toolkits for replication in other city contexts.
Access the Pilot page:
Additional resources
The Netherlands' Pilot Activity
What is the challenge addressed?
What is the solution?
What is the impact?
Transferability
Lack of financing models for collective sustainable energy projects.
Establishment of District Investment Platforms to mobilize private capital (e.g. pension funds) for natural gas-free neighbourhoods. These platforms connect residents, municipalities, and investors to collaboratively finance and implement district-wide sustainable energy initiatives, and aim to align fragmented public and private investments for climate infrastructure.
District-level investment platforms engaging unconventional investors to co-create and finance climate investment plans. First positive results after two years; improved collaboration between stakeholders.
Methodology and experience can be shared with other cities developing collaborative investment frameworks.
Access the Pilot page:
Additional resources
Spanish Cities' Pilot Activity
What is the challenge addressed?
What is the solution?
What is the impact?
Transferability
Decarbonizing the built environment across cities with diverse socio-climatic profiles.
Seven Spanish cities are jointly piloting actions for building decarbonization, promoting energy rehabilitation, renewables, and low-carbon materials. The cross-context approach aims to generate transferable knowledge.
Shared strategies, retrofit pilots, innovative business models, and a cross-city learning framework. Simultaneous pilots to promote energy efficiency, local materials, and renewable energy across diverse contexts.
Manuals on retrofitting and local materials, stakeholder mapping report, policy and financing models, replicability strategy (After-Plan), and cross-city lessons publication.
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Cluj Napoca's Pilot Activity
What is the challenge addressed?
What is the solution?
What is the impact?
Transferability
Cluj-Napoca focuses on transitioning dense residential areas through multi-level intervention model combining behavioral analysis, urban planning toolkits, public policy innovation, and a Climate Neutrality Digital Twin. A central role is played by the Civic Imagination & Innovation Center (CIIC), which facilitates participatory governance, policy innovation, and neighborhood-level engagement through actions like the Net Zero Caravan and digital storytelling.
Decarbonizing high-density residential neighborhoods with complex stakeholder dynamics and limited citizen readiness.
Strategic masterplans, neighborhood-level designs, new participatory governance models, improved citizen engagement, and capacity building for local ecosystem actors.
Behavioral analysis methodologies, CIIC model, urban planning ToRs, co-design tools, Net Zero Caravan, and guides for participatory processes and adaptation at neighborhood level.
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Limassol's Pilot Activity
What is the challenge addressed?
What is the solution?
What is the impact?
Transferability
Urban Heat Island effect and high cooling energy demand due to individual systems.
Limassol implemented smart cooling interventions including NBS, energy-efficient retrofitting, and co-design with citizens to break the unsustainable cycle of urban heat management via individual AC use. The Lemesos Commons experiment introduced new circular governance and financial models.
Demonstrated cooling strategies and NBS, new co-management structures, citizen capacity building, and awareness of climate-neutral practices.
Co-design and co-management methodology, circular financial tools, NBS education strategies, and a playbook for inclusive governance.
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Dijon's Pilot Activity
What is the challenge addressed?
What is the solution?
What is the impact?
Transferability
Low rate of building renovation and energy efficiency upgrades. Fragmented governance and systemic barriers in decarbonising mobility and buildings.
The Massification Operator (MO) is a multi-stakeholder governance tool that supports coordination and scaling transition projects in mobility and buildings, targeting the residential sector with integrated packages to facilitate energy retrofitting. This pilot will act as a one-stop-shop with planning, financing, and procurement functions to address systemic barriers.
Structured approach to facilitate planning, financing and scaling up of energy renovations; development of a learning framework.
A learning framework will be defined to ease replication by other cities willing to tackle similar challenges.
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Liberec's Pilot Activity
What is the challenge addressed?
What is the solution?
What is the impact?
Transferability
Limited uptake of renewables, e-mobility, and energy communities due to regulatory and communication barriers.
Liberec focus is on building energy communities and developing strategies for electric mobility, supported by public engagement and a university collaboration. The city developed manuals and teaching platforms to align spatial and energy planning. Efforts also emphasize raising awareness, stakeholder cooperation, and adapting the new national legislation.
Plans for energy communities, a roadmap for EV infrastructure, improved citizen awareness, and stakeholder collaboration strategies.
Manual for integrating urban and energy planning, teaching platform connecting city and university, communication tools, stakeholder mapping approach, and community energy guidelines.
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Pilot city: Budapest, Hungary
What is the challenge addressed?
What is the solution?
What is the impact?
Transferability
Energy poverty and low renovation incentives due to national policy and funding limitations.
The city is creating a Climate Agency in the form of a one-stop-shop model to mobilize financing and implement energy efficient renovations in private buildings. It will partner with banks and the focus is on the development of technical refurbishment plans and energy community solutions for multi-apartment buildings, focusing on social engagement and organizational support.
Increased energy efficiency, resident participation, and establishment of new collective models.
The approach includes modular components, enabling adaptation in other urban cont exts with similar building stocks.
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