All Things Urban

The City Finance Lab calls on urban leaders to help build back better Organised by sustainability expert South Pole, the competition for the most innovative financing solutions for city climate action is open and will run until 21 October 2020. Pitches for the City Finance Lab’s 2020 call for proposals can be submitted here. Cities can lead the way in championing a green recovery, and in shaping our societies into ones that are sustainable, resilient, and inclusive. They have the most to gain from channelling finance into urban climate action – and the most to lose for failing to do so. This is why the City Finance Lab is launching its 2020 call for proposals to help increase investments in projects that turn pressing urban challenges into low-carbon opportunities. The City Finance Lab is Europe’s first dedicated platform focused on supporting innovative financing solutions for green urban projects. It is a joint initiative by South Pole and EIT Climate-KIC that aims to drive investment into climate-resilient, low-carbon and green urban projects for sustainable cities. The City Finance Lab catalyses climate action in cities by removing barriers to climate finance The City Finance Lab is at the forefront of developing, scaling and replicating innovative financing solutions to accelerate the shift of much-needed capital in cities towards low-carbon and climate-resilient initiatives. As part of its mission, the City Finance Lab has opened its 2020 call for ideas for cutting edge climate finance solutions for cities that will run until 21 October 2020. Proponents of selected ideas receive in-kind support to develop their proposals through technical advisory from city finance experts at leading public, private and philanthropic organisations. They will also have the opportunity to showcase their plans to potential partners and investors, and learn from peers within the growing City Finance Lab community. Previously selected initiatives have included an Energy Performance Contracting (EPC) scheme – a method of financing energy efficiency improvements and renewable projects that lack the funds to do so – for deep retrofitting of buildings in Poland, a climate risk self-assessment tool for cities in Norway and a reward card for citizens who invest in solar energy and energy efficiency measures in Aradippou, Cyprus. Submit your pitch for innovative financing solutions for cities There has never been a more pressing need for innovative solutions for climate finance in cities. European cities, city networks, utilities, financial institutions, and any other municipal finance practitioners can join City Finance Lab’s mission by: - Submitting 600-word proposal pitches here by 21 October 2020. - Registering for a dedicated webinar on 3 September 2020, at 15:00-16:00 CEST to find out more about how to apply and the type of solutions the City Finance Lab is looking for. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to submit a full proposal after the 21 October deadline and finalists will be announced by 14 December 2020.

EIT Climate-KIC is the EU’s largest public private partnership addressing climate change through innovation to build a zero carbon economy. We address climate change across four priority themes: urban areas, land use, production systems, climate metrics and finance. Education is at the heart of these themes to inspire and empower the next generation of climate leaders.