Urban nature: supporting restoration of urban ecosystems, along urban transport networks and in the built environment 

Horizon Europe Innovation Action call HORIZON-MISS funds demonstration and deployment of urban nature solutions to restore, increase and maintain urban green spaces and tree canopy, including along urban transport networks and in the built environment. Total indicative budget €40 million, around €10 million per project, four projects anticipated, opening 9 February 2027 and single-stage deadline 22 September 2027 at 17:00 Brussels time. Consortia must include entities from at least four cities in different EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries, include at least one Cities Mission city and one Adaptation Mission Charter signatory, deliver pilots in at least two lead cities, and provide robust monitoring, replication and operational links with Mission Platforms and the New European Bauhaus hub.

Urban nature: supporting restoration of urban ecosystems, along urban transport networks and in the built environment

Call at a glance

Essential facts

Programme: Horizon Europe (Joint Call between the Climate‑Neutral and Smart Cities Mission and the Adaptation to Climate Change Mission). Type of action: HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA). Deadline: 22 September 2027 (17:00 Brussels time). Planned opening: 9 February 2027.

What it funds:Pilot demonstration, deployment and validation of approaches, tools and measures to restore, increase and maintain urban green spaces and tree canopy (including along urban transport networks and in the built environment); monitoring and assessment of environmental, social, economic and health impacts; solutions to governance and technical barriers; and measures to ensure legacy and replication.

Who can apply:Consortia of legal entities from EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries. Each proposal must involve beneficiaries from at least four cities in four different Member States or Associated Countries; at least one participating city must be among the 112 Climate‑Neutral and Smart Cities Mission cities and at least one must be a signatory of the Adaptation Mission Charter. Lead cities must host at least two pilot sites and engage at least two follower cities.

1. 1Minimum technical scope: deploy innovative measures in at least two pilot sites across two lead cities, including at least one site along an urban transport network or in the built environment.
2. 2Obligations: involve local communities (including disadvantaged groups), public/private stakeholders; monitor environmental, economic, social and health impacts; plan sustainability and replication.
3. 3TRL target: activities should reach TRL 7–8 by project end.
4. 4Mandatory collaboration: establish operational links with the Climate‑Neutral Smart Cities Mission platform, the Adaptation Mission Implementation Platform and the New European Bauhaus hub ¹.

Selection and eligibility follow Horizon Europe rules (page limits and templates in the Submission System). Proposals should review and build on relevant Horizon and LIFE projects to avoid overlaps and include resources for formalised cooperation with Mission platforms and clustering activities.

Footnotes

1. 1Projects must include mechanisms and resources to establish operational collaboration with the Climate‑Neutral Smart Cities Mission platform and the Adaptation Mission Implementation Platform (e.g. MIP4Adapt) and the New European Bauhaus hub; allocate budget and work‑plan tasks to formalise that cooperation early in the project.

Urban nature: supporting restoration of urban ecosystems, along urban transport networks and in the built environment

Programme: Horizon Europe. Call: Joint Call between the Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission and the Adaptation to Climate Change Mission (HORIZON-MISS-2027-07). Topic ID: HORIZON-MISS. Type of action: HORIZON-IA Innovation Action. Grant model: HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based [HORIZON-AG]. Opening date: 09 February 2027. Deadline: 22 September 2027, 17:00:00 Brussels time. Submission: single-stage through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal Topic page.

Purpose and expected outcomes

This Innovation Action funds large-scale, city-led pilots that restore, increase and maintain urban green space and tree canopy cover, including along urban transport networks and in the built environment. Projects must deploy solutions in at least two pilot sites across two lead cities and achieve TRL 7–8 by project end. Expected outcomes include: 1) robust approaches, tools and methods to optimise distribution, quantity, quality and connectivity of urban green infrastructure for climate mitigation, adaptation and resilience, biodiversity, soil, air and water quality, and human health; 2) deployment and uptake of mapping, restoration and greening solutions via lead city pilot sites, including at least one along an urban transport network or within the built environment; 3) comprehensive monitoring, evaluation and assessment of environmental, economic, social and health impacts, highlighting co-benefits and trade-offs; and 4) dissemination to follower cities and broader target groups to enable replication.

Scope and mandatory activities

• Develop and test approaches, tools and methods to understand local impacts of different urban green space and canopy patterns on urban heat island mitigation, biodiversity, water scarcity, stormwater and landslide risk management, and local air quality; and assess how increasing or changing quantity, quality, distribution, and connectivity of green and canopy cover could build more resilient and biodiverse urban ecosystems.
• Identify governance, technical and supply barriers to urban greening and tree planting/maintenance, including conflicts with underground infrastructure and constraints on root growth and survival, water scarcity, and shortage of native seedlings; develop innovative, sustainable solutions to overcome these barriers.
• Design and implement innovative measures and practices to increase urban green space and canopy cover, prioritising native species and plant types that enhance biodiversity, support climate mitigation and adaptation, reduce air pollution and noise, improve human health and quality of life, and ensure ecological connectivity.
• Explore multifunctional solutions in infrastructure and urban planning delivering co-benefits such as stormwater management, biodiversity enhancement, recreation, shelter from extreme weather, reduced inequitable access to nature, air and noise pollution reduction, and improved accessibility.
• Deploy innovative greening measures in at least two pilot sites located in two lead cities, with at least one pilot site along an urban transport network or in the built environment. Urban transport networks may include streets, roads, car parks, public transport systems, pavements, waterways, and non-motorised transport infrastructure.
• Co-design measures with local communities, including disadvantaged groups, and involve stakeholders such as public and private land and property owners.
• Monitor, evaluate and assess impacts in pilot sites. Environmental impacts must include at least air-water-soil quality, ambient temperature, biodiversity, and noise. Economic impacts must include at least energy costs, maintenance costs, impacts on local businesses, and job creation. Social impacts must include at least citizen perception, impacts on disadvantaged groups, public health, and personal safety.
• Provide plans for sustainability and legacy of efforts beyond the project duration.
• Create pilot sites in at least two lead cities and engage at least two follower cities through structured knowledge sharing for replication and scale-up.

Participation architecture and collaboration

Each funded project must involve entities from at least four cities, each city established in a different EU Member State or a Horizon Europe Associated Country. Among these, at least one city must be one of the 112 cities selected for the EU Mission on Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities, and at least one city must be a signatory to the Adaptation Mission Charter Adaptation Mission Charter signatories. Pilot implementation must occur in at least two lead cities, with at least two follower cities engaged for replication. Proposals must review and connect to relevant Horizon Europe, Horizon 2020 and LIFE projects to avoid overlaps and conflicting conclusions, including initiatives such as Urban greening and renaturing for urban regeneration, LIFE VEG-GAP and LIFE SIRIUS.

Proposals must embed resources and mechanisms for operational collaboration with: 1) the Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission Platform; 2) the Adaptation Mission Implementation Platform (MIP4Adapt); and 3) the New European Bauhaus hub for results and impact. Collaboration is essential and must be operationalised in the work plan, with the Cities Mission Platform collaboration to be formalised via a Memorandum of Understanding shortly after project start. Projects will participate in clustering activities with other relevant projects supported under the Cities and Adaptation Missions and the New European Bauhaus Facility, and should pursue synergies with initiatives such as the Green City Accord, European Green Capital/Leaf Awards, LIFE programme projects, the European Urban Initiative, and the Covenant of Mayors.

Budget, funding rate and timeline

Innovation Actions under Horizon Europe typically fund 70% of eligible costs for for-profit entities and up to 100% for non-profit legal entities, as set in the Model Grant Agreement and General Annex G. Standard Horizon Europe cost eligibility, reporting, and payment rules apply under the HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based model.

Technology readiness and project maturity

Activities are expected to reach TRL 7–8 by project end. The action therefore targets demonstration, validation in operational environments, pre-deployment and near-to-market integration of solutions for urban nature restoration and greening along transport networks and within the built environment.

Detailed categorisation and structured information

Eligible Applicant Types:Eligible beneficiaries are legal entities established in EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries, including: municipalities and city authorities; regional or metropolitan authorities; public agencies and competent authorities for environment, transport, planning or housing; public and private research organisations; universities; nonprofits and NGOs; SMEs and startups; large enterprises; utilities and infrastructure operators; public transport operators; urban development and planning entities; architecture, landscape architecture and engineering firms; public-private partnerships. Citizen groups and individuals are not expected as beneficiaries but must be involved in co-design and engagement activities. Entities from non-associated third countries may participate under Horizon Europe rules, typically without EU funding unless specific provisions apply, as per General Annex B.

Funding Type:Grant funding under Horizon Europe Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA) with a budget-based HORIZON Action Grant (HORIZON-AG).

Consortium Requirement:Consortium. Mandatory composition includes entities from at least four cities, each city established in a different EU Member State or Associated Country. At least one city must be among the 112 Cities Mission cities and at least one must be a signatory to the Adaptation Mission Charter. Pilot sites must be implemented in at least two lead cities and at least two follower cities must be engaged for replication. Collaboration with the Mission Platforms and NEB hub is compulsory and must be resourced in the proposal; collaboration with the Cities Mission Platform must be formalised through an MoU soon after project start.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries are eligible for funding. Participation of non-associated third countries may be possible without EU funding unless otherwise provided. General Annex B conditions apply, including specific restrictions on certain entities as stipulated therein.

Target Sector:Environment and climate adaptation; climate mitigation; biodiversity and nature restoration; urban planning and design; transport and mobility corridors; built environment and construction; public health and quality of life; air, water and soil quality; noise reduction; ecosystem services; New European Bauhaus (design, culture, aesthetics). Cross-cutting with data, monitoring and evaluation.

Mentioned Countries:No specific countries are named. The opportunity references EU Member States and Associated Countries generally, and requires cities from different Member States or Associated Countries. It references the EU Mission on Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities and the Adaptation Mission Charter signatories list.

Project Stage:Demonstration and pre-deployment. By project end, solutions should be demonstrated in operational urban contexts at TRL 7–8, with robust monitoring frameworks and replication pathways for follower cities.

Funding Amount:Per project: around €10,000,000. Total topic budget: €40,000,000. Indicative number of funded projects: 4.

Application Type:Open call, single-stage submission via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Standard Horizon Europe admissibility and eligibility rules apply. Proposal page limits and layout are in Part B of the Application Form.

Nature of Support:Financial support as grant funding. Non-financial requirements include mandatory collaboration with Mission Platforms and participation in clustering activities.

Application Stages:1 stage (single-stage submission and evaluation) as per the call conditions.

Success Rates:Not specified. The budget overview indicates around four grants expected to be awarded from a total budget of €40,000,000; actual success rates depend on the number and quality of proposals submitted.

Co-funding Requirement:Innovation Actions under Horizon Europe typically reimburse 70% of eligible costs for for-profit entities and up to 100% for non-profit legal entities. Applicants should plan co-funding accordingly for for-profit beneficiaries. Exact funding rates and conditions are defined in the Model Grant Agreement and General Annex G.

Technical, scientific and implementation requirements

• Pilot site composition: at least two pilot sites in two lead cities, with at least one pilot along an urban transport network or within the built environment.
• Community engagement: structured co-design with local communities, explicitly including disadvantaged groups; active involvement of stakeholders such as landowners and property managers.
• Biological considerations: prioritise native species; enhance biodiversity; ensure ecological connectivity; avoid isolated or fragmented greening.
• Multifunctionality: integrate greening with stormwater management, heat risk mitigation, shading and shelter, noise reduction, recreation, accessibility, and equitable access to nature.
• Barrier mitigation: address governance fragmentation, conflicts with underground utilities, root survival challenges, water scarcity and nursery supply shortages; propose innovative technical and governance solutions.
• Monitoring and evaluation: design and implement a comprehensive impact framework covering environmental (air, water, soil quality; ambient temperature; biodiversity; noise), economic (energy and maintenance costs; impacts on local businesses; job creation), social and health (citizen perception; disadvantaged groups; public health; personal safety) indicators; capture co-benefits and trade-offs; plan legacy monitoring beyond project duration.
• Replication and scaling: formal structured engagement with at least two follower cities; develop replication packages and guidance; align with Mission Platforms and the New European Bauhaus hub to accelerate uptake.
• Synergies and clustering: connect with relevant Horizon Europe, Horizon 2020 and LIFE projects to prevent duplication and leverage evidence; participate in Mission clustering; explore synergies with the Green City Accord, European Green Capital/Leaf Awards, LIFE projects, European Urban Initiative, Covenant of Mayors.
• Governance and coordination: resource and operationalise collaboration with the Cities Mission Platform and Adaptation Mission Implementation Platform (MIP4Adapt) and the New European Bauhaus hub; conclude a Memorandum of Understanding with the Cities Mission Platform shortly after project start.
• Regulatory and policy context: support the Nature Restoration Regulation implementation and follow-up to the July 2023 Communication on EU Missions assessment; align with city climate neutrality and climate resilience strategies.
• Knowledge management: review state-of-the-art from relevant EU projects and platforms; ensure open and reusable outputs where appropriate; align monitoring with Mission needs.

Evaluation, award and grant setup

Award criteria, scoring and thresholds follow Horizon Europe General Annex D. Submission and evaluation processes and indicative timelines follow General Annex F. Financial and operational capacity checks and exclusion criteria follow Annex C. Legal and financial setup follows Annex G, including the requirement to formalise collaboration with the Cities Mission Platform via a Memorandum of Understanding shortly after project start. Admissibility conditions and page limits are described in Annex A and the Part B application form; eligible countries follow Annex B.

Templates and how the application looks

Applicants must use the official application forms provided in the Submission System. Standard evaluation forms for HE RIA/IA will be applied with necessary adaptations. Model Grant Agreement and Annotated Grant Agreement apply. Reference documents include the HE Programme Guide and General Annexes. Call-specific instructions are provided on the topic page.

Recommended proposal structure (outline):1) Excellence: context, objectives linked to expected outcomes; state-of-the-art; clear innovation in greening approaches, barrier mitigation and multifunctional design; TRL at start and end; cities’ profiles and selection; underpinning science of ecosystem services and urban microclimate. 2) Impact: pathway to environmental, economic, social and health impacts; quantified KPIs and monitoring plan covering required dimensions; co-benefit and trade-off analysis; replication and scaling strategy for follower cities; links to Nature Restoration Regulation and Missions; risk assessment including governance and supply constraints; communication, dissemination and exploitation plan with City and Adaptation Mission Platforms and the New European Bauhaus hub; clustering plan. 3) Implementation: work plan and WPs for pilot co-design and deployment, barrier solutions, monitoring and evaluation, community engagement, replication and scaling, platform coordination and clustering, project management and ethics; clear roles for city authorities, operators, research partners, SMEs; Gantt and PERT; risk management and contingency, including for permitting and procurement; data management plan (monitoring datasets, privacy, FAIR where applicable); gender and inclusion strategy with focus on disadvantaged groups. 4) Consortium: compliance with the mandatory four-city rule across different Member States or Associated Countries; identification of at least one Cities Mission city and at least one Adaptation Mission Charter signatory; confirmation of at least two lead cities and two follower cities; letters of commitment. 5) Resources and budget: justification of costs for pilot deployment, monitoring, engagement, replication support, and platform collaboration; allocation for concluding the required MoU; provisions for clustering and synergies. 6) Ethics and security: measures for public space interventions, citizen data, environmental protections and biosecurity; safeguards for vulnerable groups. 7) Annexes: city maps and pilot site descriptions, transport network or built environment integration, stakeholder engagement plans, risk registers, MoU planning, synergies mapping to relevant Horizon/LIFE projects.

Operational links and resources

• Topic page and submission: EU Funding & Tenders Portal HORIZON-MISS-2027-07-CLIMA-CIT-NEB-01
• Work Programme reference: Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026–2027, Part 12 Missions (section HORIZON-MISS-2027-07) Work Programme Missions 2026–2027
• Adaptation Mission Implementation Platform (MIP4Adapt) overview MIP4Adapt
• Adaptation Mission Charter signatories List of signatories

What to prepare for monitoring, evaluation and legacy

1. 1Baseline diagnostics: pre-intervention mapping of canopy cover, green space typologies, connectivity indices, heat island intensity, stormwater runoff coefficients, biodiversity indicators, local air quality, noise and soil/water quality; socio-economic baselines including exposure of disadvantaged groups.
2. 2Intervention design dossiers: species selection rationale prioritising native species; planting and maintenance protocols under water scarcity; design methods to avoid conflicts with utilities and ensure root survival; multifunctional design specifications; permitting packets.
3. 3Monitoring framework: indicator definitions, measurement methods, sensor networks and citizen science where relevant; frequency and duration; data governance and quality assurance; evaluation plan addressing co-benefits and trade-offs.
4. 4Economic analysis: lifecycle cost and maintenance models; impact on energy costs, local businesses and jobs; financing plans for post-project maintenance and scale-up.
5. 5Social and health evaluation: citizen perception surveys; accessibility and equity audits; safety assessments; health-related proxies or outcomes as feasible.
6. 6Replication packages: technical guides, governance playbooks, procurement templates, and capacity-building modules for follower cities; language accessibility.
7. 7Legacy and sustainability plan: ownership and O&M responsibilities; funding sources for continued maintenance; alignment with city strategies and regulatory frameworks; integration with Mission Platforms and NEB hub for long-term visibility and uptake.

Compliance and key eligibility checkpoints

• Consortium includes entities from at least four cities in four different EU Member States or Associated Countries.
• At least one city is among the 112 Cities Mission cities; at least one city is an Adaptation Mission Charter signatory.
• At least two pilot sites located in two lead cities; at least one pilot along an urban transport network or in the built environment.
• Structured engagement with at least two follower cities is embedded.
• Comprehensive impact monitoring across environmental, economic, social and health dimensions is planned.
• Operational collaboration and resources for Mission Platforms and NEB hub are included, with the Cities Mission Platform MoU to be concluded shortly after project start.
• Activities target TRL 7–8 by project end.
• Proposals build on and connect to relevant Horizon and LIFE projects to avoid overlaps.

General summary

This Horizon Europe Innovation Action funds city-led, cross-country consortia to demonstrate, monitor and scale urban nature-based solutions that restore and expand urban ecosystems, particularly along transport networks and within the built environment. Each project must unite at least four cities across four different EU or Associated Countries, including one city from the EU Cities Mission and one Adaptation Mission Charter signatory. At least two lead cities must implement pilot sites, with at least one site embedded in transport corridors or built settings, and at least two follower cities must be engaged for replication. Projects co-design measures with communities, including disadvantaged groups; address governance and technical barriers such as conflicts with underground utilities, root survival, water scarcity, and native seedling supply; and explicitly design for multifunctional co-benefits such as stormwater management, biodiversity, cooling, air and noise pollution reduction, access to nature, and resilience to extreme weather. A robust monitoring framework must cover environmental (air, water, soil, temperature, biodiversity, noise), economic (energy and maintenance costs, local business impacts, jobs), and social and health outcomes (citizen perception, impacts on disadvantaged groups, public health, personal safety), including trade-offs. By project end, solutions should reach TRL 7–8, backed by replication packages and legacy plans for maintenance and scale-up. Proposals must operationalise collaboration with the Cities Mission Platform, the Adaptation Mission Implementation Platform (MIP4Adapt), and the New European Bauhaus hub, with formalisation through a Memorandum of Understanding with the Cities Mission Platform soon after grant start. With around €10 million per project and four projects expected, this call aims to turn evidence-based urban greening into deployable, scalable solutions that deliver climate mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity gains, improved environmental quality, enhanced quality of life and health, and equitable access to nature across European cities.

Urban Nature: Supporting Restoration of Urban Ecosystems Opportunity Analysis

Opportunity Overview

This Horizon Europe Innovation Action call HORIZON-MISS is a joint initiative between the Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission and the Adaptation to Climate Change Mission, with contributions from the New European Bauhaus. It focuses on developing and deploying solutions to restore, increase, and maintain urban green spaces and tree canopy cover, particularly along urban transport networks and in the built environment, to enhance climate mitigation, adaptation, biodiversity, and quality of life.

Expected outcomes include tools for optimal green space placement, pilot deployments in lead cities, impact monitoring, and dissemination to follower cities. The call supports the Nature Restoration Regulation and EU Missions assessment follow-up.

Key Dates and Budget

Planned opening:9 February 2027

Deadline:22 September 2027 at 17:00 Brussels time (single-stage submission)

Total indicative budget:€40 million

Expected EU contribution per project:Around €10 million

Indicative number of projects:4 projects

Eligibility and Consortium Requirements

Proposals must involve entities from at least four cities, each from a different EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country. At least one city must be among the 112 selected for the EU Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission, and at least one must be a signatory to the Adaptation Mission Charter. Link Title

• Pilot sites required in at least two lead cities, with at least one along an urban transport network or in the built environment.
• Structured engagement with at least two follower cities for best practice sharing.
• Entities may include competent authorities for environment, transport, planning, or housing.
• Standard Horizon Europe eligibility rules apply: consortia of at least three independent legal entities from different Member States or Associated Countries.

Scope and Required Activities

Projects must address all scope elements, deploying measures in at least two pilot sites per lead city. Activities target TRL 7-8 by project end and include at least three impacts per pilot site such as temperature regulation, biodiversity, water management, and air quality.

• Develop/test tools for green space impacts on heat islands, biodiversity, water scarcity, air quality.
• Identify barriers (governance, infrastructure conflicts, water scarcity, native seedlings) and innovative solutions.
• Innovative measures for green space/tree canopy increase, prioritizing native species and connectivity.
• Multifunctional solutions for stormwater, recreation, extreme weather protection, equitable access.
• Involve local communities (including disadvantaged groups) and stakeholders in design.
• Monitor environmental (air/water/soil quality, temperature, biodiversity, noise), economic (costs, jobs), social (health, safety) impacts.
• Sustainability plans beyond project duration.

Mandatory Collaborations and Synergies

Proposals must include resources for operational links with the Climate-Neutral Smart Cities Mission Platform, Adaptation Mission Implementation Platform, and New European Bauhaus hub. Formalize via Memorandum of Understanding. Engage in clustering with related projects and synergies with Green City Accord, LIFE projects, etc. Review/build on prior projects like HORIZON-MISS-2023-CLIMA-CITIES-01-01, LIFE VEG-GAP, LIFE SIRIUS.

Funding and Evaluation

HORIZON-IA grants (budget-based). Evaluation per General Annexes D/F. Admissibility per Annex A (proposal page limits/layout). Financial/operational capacity per Annex C. Legal/financial set-up per Annex G.

Application Guidance

Submit via EU Funding & Tenders Portal: EU Funding Portal. Consult HE Work Programme 2026-2027 (Missions, General Annexes). Contact National Contact Points or Mission Platforms for support. Partner search available on portal.

Proposals must avoid overlaps with prior projects and demonstrate clear EU added value through multi-city collaboration and impact scaling.

Footnotes

1. 1Primary source: EU Funding & Tenders Portal topic page and HE Work Programme 2026-2027 Part 12 (Missions).