Background
The City of Turin is advancing the implementation of its Climate City Contract (CCC) and has developed a structured labelling process to formalize and expand alliances with local stakeholders, including public companies, large corporations, SMEs, startups, trade associations, non-profits, academic institutions, and research centers. The aim of the labelling initiative is to recognize organizations that contribute to emissions reductions within the city.
While the city has successfully engaged startups and youth-driven initiatives, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) remain underrepresented in local climate governance. These stakeholders have traditionally been more difficult to engage due to a lack of direct relationships and because support to SMEs is typically managed at the regional level.
The labelling process recognizes organizations that contribute, directly or indirectly, to emissions reductions within the city’s boundaries. It distinguishes two levels of commitment based on the type and measurability of actions undertaken by stakeholders:
- The MEMBER level is awarded to all organizations that have implemented (since 2019), are implementing and/or are committed to implementing by 2030 actions aimed at reducing climate-changing emissions, the impact of which is not directly quantified or quantifiable according to accounting methods based on national or international regulations. These actions nonetheless contribute to Turin’s collective pursuit of climate neutrality under its Climate City Contract (CCC) and within the framework of the EU Mission on Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities.
- The PARTNER Level is awarded to all entities that have implemented (since 2019), are implementing and/or are committed to implementing by 2030 actions aimed at reducing climate-changing emissions, the impact of which has been quantified using methodologies based on national or international regulations already adopted, or can be quantified, following the provision of all data necessary for the assessment, through methods to be identified by the City in collaboration with the partners identified for this purpose. Partner organizations are recognized as active contributors to Turin’s CCC and as Mission-aligned stakeholders supporting the city’s climate neutrality ambition.
The city now seeks expert support to activate and engage private companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Past engagement efforts focused on startups and youth-driven initiatives, areas where the City already has strong networks. However, SMEs typically operate outside these ecosystems, and the City lacks established relationships with them.
The support requested is therefore critical to broaden ownership of the city’s climate neutrality ambition and bring private actors not currently involved in the Climate City Contract (CCC), particularly those who may not immediately perceive a tangible benefit from participating in climate action. To reach these stakeholders, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, the city needs a well-crafted communication and outreach strategy, capable of clearly conveying the advantages of the labelling initiative in ways that resonate with their interests and concerns.
The assignment will be carried out in close collaboration with relevant departments of the City of Turin. Key external stakeholders include potential intermediary organizations such as trade associations (e.g. Unione degli Industriali) and early adopters of the labelling such as IREN, Politecnico di Torino, and the University of Turin. The work is time-sensitive, as the labelling process has just been officially launched in September 2025, following a soft launch conducted in July 2025.
About the request
The City Expert Support Facility (CESF), through NetZeroCities / Climate-KIC is requesting a quotation for expert services to support the City of Turin in engaging small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the initial implementation phase of its labelling framework.
The selected provider will support the city in building trust-based relationships with SMEs, developing tailored communications and engagement tools, and facilitating direct dialogue with stakeholders. The supplier is expected to work closely with the city team to refine the outreach and positioning of the labelling process.
The proposal should consider the following:
- Local understanding of Turin’s economic and stakeholder landscape;
- Experience in communicating the non-financial benefits of climate action to SMEs;
- Close collaboration with the municipality and key intermediaries;
- Alignment with Turin’s internal timeline to test the labelling process and present initial results;
- Clear acknowledgement of Turin’s role as a Mission City and integration of outreach activities into the broader objectives of the EU Cities Mission and the implementation of the CCC.
Delivery Timeline: Start in November 2025, final delivery by June 2026
Please find all further relevant information including context, delivery timeline, key tasks, full detailed scope, out of scope, milestones, and all related information below.
Timeline and additional information
Interested parties are invited to submit their proposals by 24 October 2025 to Luisa Carretti [CESF@netzerocities.eu]. Proposals should include and address all specific requirements related to the request which can be found below.
