We’re excited to share three new online and in-person peer-learning opportunities! These opportunities are part of the EU Cities Mission, and are facilitated by the Mission Platform, currently managed by NetZeroCities.

These peer-learning programmes are open to all cities from the EU and Horizon Europe  associated countries aiming for climate neutrality by 2050 or earlier, and that embrace the Cities Mission mindset.

They have been designed for cities to share learnings, tackle challenges collaboratively, and benefit from the experience of over 100 ambitious Mission Cities–scaling climate action and empowering all cities on their journey to climate-neutrality.

New call for the Cities Mission Twinning Learning Programme

Apply until 12 September 2025 – 17:00 CEST

The Twinning Learning Programme is a 12-month peer-learning journey, starting November 2025, will pair selected Twin Cities with a Mission cities Aachen, Bristol, 2nd District of Bucharest Municipality, Dunkirk, Eindhoven & Helmond, Elbasan, Gabrovo, Guimarães, Ioannina, Kozani, Liberec, Padova, Reykjavík, Sarajevo, Sofia, Stockholm, Torino, Umeå, and Warsaw.

The programme will help cities to develop practical solutions, deepen their climate knowledge, accelerate systemic change, and build meaningful partnerships with other ambitious cities already advancing toward climate neutrality.

Selected Twin Cities will benefit from support for onsite visits, experts’ facilitation, targeted feedback, structured partnership and access to practical tools.

Join the information sessions to explore what the programme offers and get your questions answered:

Cohort 1 Twinning Learning Programme Site Visit to Belfast (Twin City) with Galway (Pilot City) Oct. 2024

Online Discussion Groups (Cohort 2)

Cities can express their interest until 15 September 23:00 CEST

Join the community of cities accelerating actions for climate neutrality. Learn directly from Mission Cities, plan new climate actions, access tailored 1-1 expert support for your projects, join study visits at Mission Cities, and get portal access and tools.

Over a six-month period, cities can join as many thematic webinars as they find relevant to their local context and climate priorities. The programme will run between September 2025 to February 2026. Cities will get the chance to explore innovative climate-neutral solutions with Mission Cities – on key themes such as:

  • Innovative financing – (with Florence & Malmö)
  • Decarbonising the energy sector and district heating – (with Pécs, Lund & Espoo)
  • Built environment, including circular construction and building renovation – (with Helsinki & Oslo)
  • Citizen engagement and behavioural change (with Helsingborg & Grenoble-Alpes Métropole)

Read highlights from Cohort 1, which brought together 180 participants, here!

Learn more on the timeline >>

NetZeroCities’ first online course for all cities ! “Design your City’s Net Zero Strategy: Online Planning Lab”

Launching on 16 September – registrations currently open!

The online course is free and available to all cities in the EU and Horizon-associated countries with a population of 50,000+ that are committed to climate neutrality.

This programme is designed for city representatives, policy makers and urban change-makers who are ready to accelerate climate-action.

  • Engage in a comprehensive, collaborative, and project-based training, with six core modules and spotlight sessions to tackle systemic change.
  • Gain practical tools and expert knowledge to drive systemic transformation towards climate-neutrality.
  • Participants will be granted certification upon completion of the programme.

Learn more >>

We look forward to seeing many cities joining these programmes in September to boost climate action and strengthen collaboration!