NetZeroCities, managing the Platform of the EU Cities Mission, is announcing a unique opportunity for cities across the EU and affiliated countries. Launching on 16 September 2025, the Online Planning Lab is a free, hands-on online course encapsulated by 6 modules designed to empower city representatives, policymakers, and urban change-makers with the knowledge and tools they need to drive systemic change.

What is the Online Planning Lab?

This isn’t just another online programme. Built on a strong peer-to-peer foundation, the Planning Lab functions as a project-based “Mini-Lab”. If a city has a population above 50,000 inhabitants, this is their chance to:

  • Collaborate with other forward-thinking cities.
  • Exchange experiences and learn from successes and challenges.
  • Co-develop solutions through engaging digital learning modules and interactive live sessions.

We strongly suggest at least two representatives from each municipality participate. This collaborative approach helps foster the systemic innovation crucial for your city’s climate transition.

What You’ll Learn: Our 6 Core Modules

The programme is structured around six comprehensive modules, each featuring a ‘Core’ session and several optional ‘Spotlight’ sessions. These modules are designed to provide a holistic understanding of the climate transition, addressing key challenges and opportunities:

  1. How can NetZeroCities support my city’s climate transition goals?
  2. How can we develop capacity to work on the climate transition, go beyond working in silos and collaborate with city’s stakeholders?
  3. How might we design an effective climate action plan for and within our city?
  4. How might we leverage technical solutions, citizens-led solutions, and partnerships to reduce emissions?
  5. How might we access diverse funding options and unlock investments in the city for climate neutrality?
  6. How might we align local, national, and regional, governance, to develop effective policies that support the climate transition?

In total, participants will benefit from 6 core sessions and 20 optional live interactive spotlight sessions. This flexible structure allows participants to tailor their learning experience to best suit participants and their city’s specific needs.

Key Benefits & Flexibility

  • Certification: Complete all 6 core sessions to earn a certification of completion from the Universidad Politecnica de Madrid. This also unlocks dedicated feedback sessions with NetZeroCities experts. The certificate can be awarded to your city as a whole, or to individual participants who complete all modules.
  • Flexible Participation: While certification requires completing all core sessions, you can choose to take individual modules or sessions if you wish to focus on specific topics.
  • Multilingual Resources: All essential programme materials will be translated into multiple EU languages to ensure accessibility for all participants.

Don’t miss this opportunity to equip your city with the strategies and tools needed to achieve a climate-neutral future. Join the “Design Your City’s Net-Zero Strategy” Online Planning Lab and become a leader in climate action!