With this first of a series of calls on the topic of Positive Energy Districts and Neighbourhoods (PED/PEN), JPI Urban Europe invites transdisciplinary and cross-sectoral communities of researchers and practitioners to create projects with focus on:

  • Smaller-scale joint R&I projects (duration 1-2 years) on PED/PEN implementation;
  • Providing transnational alignment, comparison and exchange of experiences between ongoing (European) projects in different PED implementation phases;
  • Their integration in general urban strategies, stakeholder involvement strategies and the role of geographical/climatic conditions.

The results from projects granted in this call should help to facilitate knowledge transfer and learning from different European contexts, cities and countries to create greater engagement and understanding in PED implementation processes.

Participating countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic and Sweden

All details on the call and how to apply

Call Topics

The project proposal should at least address one of the following topics:

A: Contributing to the climate-neutral city: Holistic approaches for PED implementation

In order to be successful on a large scale, the implementation of PEDs must meet general goals of sustainable urban development and urban qualities. Therefore, PED implementation needs to be integrated in holistic approaches, which imposes challenges on strategy development, planning, monitoring and evaluation. From an urbanistic view, it is an imperative to not view energy goals separately or as a matter of priority, but to involve them in systemic strategies aiming at creating sustainable, liveable, inclusive neighbourhoods fit to meet the challenges of our generations. In the end, PED implementation must contribute to creating high quality urban environments in line with climate, energy and sustainability goals.

B: Embeddedness in local contexts: Applied approaches for integrating PEDs in different urban contexts and the legal framework

The PED Programme aims at developing a framework suitable for different urban contexts. Different pre-conditions require applied approaches both regarding strategies and technological solutions and might lead to considering wider urban/regional/national contexts in order to achieve a positive energy balance. PEDs need to be adapted to different urban contexts and the redevelopment of existing urban structures towards sustainability.

• C: Engagement and governance: Urban governance, stakeholder involvement concepts and business models

Holistic approaches for PED implementation require cross-sectoral approaches and innovative stakeholder involvement concepts in planning, implementation and operation respectively. This poses challenges for governance structures on regional, city and local (neighbourhood) levels and a re-consideration of the integration of top-down and bottom-up approaches. Identification and adequate involvement of relevant stakeholders and therefore the development of applied strategies in the PED implementation process from the beginning can be seen as a key factor for implementation success.

Timeline

Call opening: 16 April 2020
Proposal deadline: 24 September 2020, 12:00 a.m. CEST
Eligibility Check: September – October 2020
Meeting of Expert Panel to assess proposals: November 2020
Funding recommendation by the Steering Committee: November 2020
National funding decisions and announcement of results: November – December 2020
Start of the projects: December 2020 – February 2021
Kick-off meeting: 2021
Final Projects Event: 2022

Events in this call

Both events and webinars for this call are planned but dates are not yet fixed, check the call page or follow us on Twitter to stay updated!

LinkedIn group
In addition to events and webinars, we wish to welcome interested actors to the LinkedIn group “Networking in Positive Energy Districts and Neighbourhoods” for self-organised networking and matchmaking. This is a group where you can continue to explore the possibilities for developing and submitting a joint call proposal together with more stakeholders or find possible future partners before the matchmaking event. Join the group here.
Please keep an eye on your national Funding Agencies webpages for national call related activites.

Further information

If you are interested in applying, we recommend that you are in touch with your national contact point for the call. If you have questions on the general call process and proposal submission, please contact the call secretariat:

Johannes Bockstefl (also contact for questions related to the electronic submission system)
Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG)
Telephone: +43 5 7755 5042
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


Patrik Rydén
Viable Cities Programme Sweden
Telephone: +46 733 99 86 19
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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