In 2020, ICLEI Europe launched the ICLEI Action Fund, a granting scheme supported by Google.org. Grants from the fund support non-profits and academic institutions in Europe leveraging data and technology to drive environmental and climate action. At its core, the ICLEI Action Fund fosters collaborative efforts aimed at addressing critical sustainability challenges such as energy poverty, building renewable energy communities, air pollution mitigation, smart energy solutions, and sustainable mobility. Since its launch, the fund has financed 16 projects, disbursing a total grant amount of over 10 million euros.
A recent increase in instances of wildfires and floods has prompted Greece to intensify its climate adaptation efforts with several Greek cities part of the EU Mission for Climate Neutral and Smart Cities or signatories to the EU Mission for Adaptation to Climate Change. In response to these challenges and to foster concrete solutions, ICLEI Europe launched the ICLEI Action Fund Greece in 2024. With grants of up to 275,000 euros allocated to projects in Athens, Thessaloniki, and Larissa, these initiatives aim to combat energy poverty, enhance wildfire prediction, and promote sustainable mobility. Rooted in data and technology, they seek to drive climate action through both mitigation and adaptation strategies.
Launched in 2023, the ICLEI Action Fund 2.0 encompasses seven projects spread across six European cities. With grants of 7 million euros, the fund supports initiatives led by academic institutions and non-governmental organisations dedicated to environmental and climate action at the grassroots level. Collaborating closely with their respective cities, these projects employ data and technology to catalyse tangible action on the ground. Read more about the projects here.
Launched in 2020, the ICLEI Action Fund 1.0 encompasses six projects spread across six European cities. With grants of 2,5 million euros, the fund supported initiatives led by academic institutions and non-governmental organisations dedicated to environmental and climate action at the grassroots level.
The six selected projects were featured in an ICLEI podcast miniseries found here. During this miniseries, each of the six Action Fund Projects reflected on the innovative, data-driven solutions they used to foster environmental and climate action in their respective cities. Read more about the projects below.
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
Organisation: Miljøpunkt Amager
Topic: Air Quality
Time frame: Nov. 2020 - Dec. 2021
Thrive Zone Amager investigated whether it is possible to design urban spaces where citizens can thrive in protection from harmful air pollution. Three pilot locations were installed to monitor air quality and test this theory.
Location: Birmingham, UK
Organisation: Centre for Sustainable Energy
Topic: Sustainable Energy, CO2 and Buildings
Time frame: Nov. 2020 - Nov. 2022
Project 3D established an open-source, city-wide energy dataset to deliver carbon reduction initiatives and help the largest metropolitan borough in England to reach its targets for decarbonisation.
Location: Berlin, Germany
Organisation: Deutsche Umwelthilfe
Topic: Sustainable Mobility
Time frame: Nov. 2020 - Nov. 2022
Pop-up Republic collected, processed and analysed environmental data in order to objectify discussions about sustainable mobility and traffic transition. Nine measures were implemented in eight areas of the city.
Location: Nantes, France
Organisation: Air Pays de la Loire
Topic: Air Quality and Sustainable Mobility
Time frame: Nov. 2020 - Nov. 2022
AIREAL identified and tested solutions to reduce residents' exposure to air pollution. The app NOANAIR was developed to support pedestrians and bikers who need to commute or wish to stroll or relax outdoors.
Location: Oldham, UK
Organisation: Carbon Co-op
Topic: Sustainable Energy
Time frame: Nov. 2020 - Nov. 2022
Oldham Energy Futures developed a new approach for local authorities and other energy system stakeholders to develop local area energy plans in collaboration with communities. The result was Community-Led Energy Planning (CLEP).
Location: Hamburg, Germany
Organisation: Hafencity
Topic: Sustainable Energy Planning and Urban Data Platforms
Time frame: Nov. 2020 - Nov. 2022
ANN (A New Normal) RADAR created a prototype of a decision-support system to identify urban test beds for climate mitigation action. The ANN RADAR Playbook was developed as a contextual introduction of the tool.
Thank you for your interest in the ICLEI Action Fund. For interviews and media work, contact:
Nidhi Misra
Officer, Communications & Member Relations
nidhi.misra@iclei.org
Action Fund Secretariat
Phone: +49 761 36 89 2-0
Fax: +49 761 36 89 2-19
Email: actionfund@iclei.org
