The second cohort of 19 Twin Cities from across Europe has been selected in September 2024 to join the Twin Cities portfolio and embark upon a learning journey towards climate neutrality.

Discover the Twin Cities

19 Twin Cities

11 Countries

Paired with 19 Pilot Activities

The selected nineteen cities, coming from across Europe, have been matched with a Pilot City or cluster of cities already innovating and piloting decarbonisation activities as part of the Cities Mission. See below the list of Twin Cities and the Pilot Cities they have been paired with.

Tønder

Paired with Ioannina’s CRISP – Creating and monitoring of Climate Neutral Zones

Municipality of Kronoby

Paired with Helsingborg’s COBUILD NETZERO – Co-creating for Climate Neutral Building and Construction in Oceanhamnen

City of Vaasa

Paired with Gävle’s Gävle3C – Mobilising Gävle Climate City Contract Transport Portfolio

Commune de Courcy (Communauté Urbaine du Grand Reims)

Paired with Lisbon- Lx Climate Lab

Chalkida Municipality

Paired with Klagenfurt, Gozo, Vilnius’ CF4Cities – Climate Funding 4 Cities: Turbocharging Citizen Engagement and Climate Actions

Chios Municipality

Paired with Eilat’s TourZero – Accelerated Decarbonisation in the Tourism Industry

Municipality of Szombathely City with County Rights

Paired with Hungary’s MODENT – Modelling energy transitions pathways

Town of Veszprém

Paired with Lappeenranta’s BeyondEE – Integrated Digital Solutions for District Heating optimisation

City of Amersfoort

Paired with Espoo’s COMET – Espoo Climate Community

City of Poznan

Paired with Zagreb’s ABC-S (NEW AGC-CN) – Activating Green Courtyards for Carbon Neutrality

Cascais

Paired with Aarhus’ CO-SHAPE – CO-SHaping Areas in Peri-urban Environments

Fuenlabrada

Paired with Copenhagen’s FLEX4U – Flexumers4Future

Sant Boi de Llobregat City Council

Paired with Marseille’s Mars2030ClimatNowAct – Marseille 2030 Objectif Climat: a just pact to now act

Antalya

Paired with Bucharest District 2’s URBANWISE – Urban Regeneration and Administrative Capacity Building for Sustainable Development and Emissions Reduction

Şişli Municipality

Paired with Riga’s SEED – Doughnut Economics Approach for Sustainable Decarbonisation and Citizen Engagement

Manchester City Council

Paired with Stockholm’s SCALE Stockholm – Stockholm Pilot City for Climate & Health: Building Capacity to Scale

Milton Keynes

Paired with Lyon’s The Climate Hall – The Climate Hall Lyon 2030

Plymouth

Paired with Lund’s CoPilot Lund

TWINNING LEARNING PROGRAMME

This 18-month programme facilitates knowledge sharing and the transfer of best practices between selected Twin Cities and those participating in the Pilot Cities Programme.

Through practical knowledge exchange and peer learning, Pilot Cities share their experiences with Twin Cities, who, in turn, integrate these lessons into their own urban planning through an Action Plan after the learning cycle’s completion.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – Cohort 2 (2024)

GENRAL

The Twinning Learning Programme is a 20-month programme for knowledge sharing and transfer of good practices between selected Cohort 2 Twin Cities, and cities selected to join the NetZeroCities’ Pilot Cities Programme Cohort 2 in January 2024. This structured and expert-facilitated city-to-city learning programme aims to enable a two-way knowledge transfer between Pilot and Twin Cities, focusing on climate-neutrality ambitions and activities tackling multiple emission domains and systemic barriers.

The Twin City Cohort 2 Call was open to cities based within EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries, who are not part of the Cities Mission (i.e. non-Mission City) and not already a Twin or Pilot City, and who have committed to achieve climate neutrality before or by 2050.

The Call was open from 08 April until 31 May (CEST 23:59) (deadling extension to 7 June (CEST 17:00))

No. This Call was open to local authorities based in EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries.

The Twin City call is addressed to individual Twin City applications rather than to a group of cities applying together. One Twin City will be paired with one Pilot Activity to maximise knowledge sharing and learning.

Only one application may be submitted by an eligible local authority, and it should be submitted by a city representative (external consultants are advised to refrain from submitting applications on behalf of the city they work with). If several applications are received by the same local authority, the Twin City Team will select the first one submitted.

The Twinning Learning Programme is designed for cities, as stated in the Twin City Cohort 2 Call Guidelines dated 08 April 2024 (section 4.1 Who Can Apply, page 8): “This Call is open to local authorities based in EU Member states or Horizon Europe Associated Countries”
Therefore, cities are the only beneficiaries for this call and the ones to embed the learnings from the exchanges with the Pilot Activities. However, this will not prevent Twin Cities from being supported by third parties on their own.

The Catalogue of Pilot Cities Cohort 2 can be found here.

There are three eligibility criteria:
– Local authority must based within an EU Member State or an approved Horizon Europe Associated Country, at the point of the submission deadline.
– non-Mission Cities, i.e. cities who are not part of the 100 EU Cities Mission, who are not already part of the Twinning and Pilot Cities Programmes.
– Climate neutrality commitment before or by 2050 (Applicants to provide formalise evidence).

Examples of formalised evidence that applicant cities can provide to demonstrate their commitment to achieve climate neutrality before or by 2050 includes City Council Resolution, Strategy, Action Plan or equivalent adopted by the City Council outlining the city’s climate commitment and/or other initiative they signed up to e.g. Covenant of Mayors 2050 targets.

The Call for Twin Cities Cohort 2 Call Guideline can be found on the NetZeroCities Twinning Learning Programme webpage under the ‘Call documents and submission’ section and here.

The Twinning Learning Programme covers travel costs of selected Twin Cities to their paired Pilot City (for up to two Twin City representatives per selected Twin City to attend a site-visit to respective Pilot City), and hosting costs when hosting the site visits of the Pilot City/ies. Please refer to the Twin Cities Call Guidelines for more information.
The reimbursement of travel and hosting costs is the only area where budget is foreseen for Twin Cities. These site visits enable Twin Cities to gain an in-depth understanding of the pilot activity/es, while enabling the completion of the Twin City Action Plan.

No, it is not necessary to have implementation funding in place already. It is envisioned that cities would be able to identify potential funding instruments and sources, as part of their Twin City Action Plan, to implement the solutions or ideas from the paired Pilot City.

Please submit your Twin City application using the online application form found on the NetZeroCities Twinning Learning Programme webpage under the ‘Call documents and submission’ section. Applications can be submitted until 31 May 2024 (23:59 CEST).

All applications should be submitted in English. Supporting documents that will be uploaded or linked to the application, such as formal council resolutions, city climate plan – could be submitted in one of the official languages spoken in the country.

Twin Cities should ensure adequate human resources and time (a minimum of 12 hours per month) to engage in the 20-months Twinning Learning Programme and assign between 1-2 (recommended) city representatives per Twin City, with at least a proficiency level of B2 English. Twin City representatives should be city practitioners or experts who can use the knowledge gained to institutionalise the learnings within the municipalities in their local contexts. To ensure that Twin City participants gain the most from the in-person exchanges, travel costs will be reimbursed up to a certain amount. Further information will be made available to successfully selected Twin City applicants.

Cities of all sizes can apply as long as they comply with the eligibility criteria.

While completing the Twin City application form, applicant cities are requested to rank up to five pilot activities from Cohort 2, in order of preference, based on their city learning priorities. Please note that your selection will serve NetZeroCities consortium partners as a guidance in the matching process, but this will not guarantee that you will be paired with one of the selected options.

Yes, but the priority is given to international collaboration to maximise the learning potential.
Please refer to the Twin Cities Call Guideline for Twin Cities Cohort 2 which outlines the selection and matching process and considerations.

This Call is for non-Mission Cities only, i.e. cities who are not part of the 100 Mission Cities, and who are not already part of the Twinning and Pilot Cities Programmes.

REIMBURSEMENT

Eligible expenses for representatives are regulated under the Commission Decision C(2023)4928 and are based on unit cost ratios. Covered costs include: 

  • Travel Costs: Calculated based on the distance between the departure city and the site visit city. 
  • Accommodation Costs: Up to three nights, with a fixed amount per night determined by the country where the site visit occurs. 
  • Subsistence Costs: A daily allowance covering meals, local transport, and other incidental expenses. 

The indicative amount of €900 provides a general idea of the reimbursement each participant may receive. However, the exact amount depends on factors such as the departure and arrival points, as well as the country hosting the visit. 

For Twin Cities hosting a site visit, up to €700 is available to cover hosting costs, including meeting rooms, catering, and local transport. These costs are reimbursed based on actual expenses, meaning you must provide invoices and receipts for any payments related to hosting. 

  • Twin Cities: Up to two representatives per site visit. 
  • Pilot Cities: One representative per site visit. 

Additional representatives are welcome to join but will be at the city’s own expense. 

Participants are encouraged to prioritize low-emission transport options, such as trains for journeys under six hours. It’s advisable to calculate the CO₂ emissions of flights using the Transport Impact CO₂ tool. However, the choice of travel method is personal and should align with the city’s budget.

Use the European Commission’s travel cost calculator by entering your departure and destination cities. Reimbursement is based on fixed amounts for return trips, considering the primary mode of transport. 

Reimbursements are limited to a maximum price per night, as determined by European Commission guidelines. It’s recommended to opt for refundable booking options. The total stay should not exceed three nights for a two-day site visit. 

Yes, but you must first request approval from Eurocities. Reimbursement is only possible if the layover is unavoidable, no alternative connection is available, and the airline or transport provider does not offer accommodation. A maximum of one night per journey is covered (up to two nights for a round-trip). 

Subsistence reimbursement is available based on the departure and return times of your trip, as well as the rate of the arrival city/country. However, the maximum number of covered days is 3 full days (2 days for the visit + 1 additional day). For any travel exceeding 3 days, reimbursement will not be extended beyond this limit. 

Please, inform chiara.cecchin(@)eurocities.eu. In principle, you will be reimbursed based on unit costs calculated from the distance between your departure point and the site visit location. As proof of your departure and return home, you must submit your boarding passes for both your outbound and return journeys (even if the airports differ). 

Regarding the DSA calculation, it will be based on the departure time of the outbound flight and the event’s end time. 

  • Completed and signed Expense Claim Form. 
  • Boarding passes (digital or physical). 
  • Hotel invoices. 
  • Screenshots of travel cost calculations. 

Submit an electronic copy of the Expense Claim Form and supporting documents within 10-15 days after the site visit. Original documents may be requested for validation. 

Twin Cities must retain invoices for meeting rooms, catering, and local transport. A detailed spreadsheet of expenses and VAT documentation is required. The reimbursement process follows the submission and validation of expense claims. 

Reimbursements are processed within three months after the validation of claims and receipt of original documents, if applicable. 

  • Agency service fees. 
  • Expenses exceeding the European Commission’s unit cost limits. 
  • Non-sustainable travel by car without justification. 

For any doubts or special requests, please contact the reimbursement coordinators: chiara.cecchin(@)eurocities.eu with meline.gonzalez-piloyan(@)eurocities.eu in cc before confirming travel arrangements. 

Unfortunately, we can reimburse a maximum of two city representatives per Twin City. Regardless of underspending, we cannot cover more than two representatives. In some cases, underspent funds may be used to compensate for overspending by other cities, especially for long-distance travels. 

The European Commission’s rate for travel is based on the distance between two locations and covers round-trip travel. By entering the departure and arrival cities, the calculator provides an amount deemed sufficient for a two-way journey. 

In principle, the two representatives should be those indicated in the TLP Agreement signed by your city. However, if one of these representatives is unable to travel, another person mandated by your city may attend. We will reimburse their costs in such cases. Please note that while more than two representatives can attend, any additional participants will be at your city’s own expense. 

Yes, that’s acceptable. Please inform us how you will reach the airport. If you take a train or bus, provide the ticket. If you use a car, please contact us for further instructions. 

We can reimburse either the traveller or the municipality, depending on the claimant specified in the form. 

Yes, they are considered civil servants. 

The programme reimburses expenses strictly for the duration of the Twinning Learning Programme events. If you choose to extend your stay beyond the official event dates, any additional expenses incurred will be considered personal and will not be covered by the program. For example, if the event lasts for two days, the programme will reimburse up to three nights of accommodation (event days plus one additional night). 

Yes, additional city representatives are welcome to join the visits. However, expenses for these additional participants will not be reimbursed from the Twinning Learning Programme (TLP) budget and should be covered by the city’s own funds. 

No, Pilot Cities’ hosting costs should be covered by the Pilot Cities Programme (PCP) subgrant. These expenses will not be reimbursed through the Twinning Learning Programme. 

Travel by car is generally not reimbursed unless it is the only feasible mode of transportation for a specific location and time. Such cases require prior justification and approval. Please contact us in advance to discuss the specifics. 

First, send all relevant documents via email to chiara.cecchin(@)eurocities.eu  and meline.gonzalez-piloyan(@)eurocities.eu . They will validate the electronic copies and inform you if any original paper documents or hand-signed forms need to be sent by post. Original hard copies are required for certain documents. 

Documents can be signed either by hand or digitally. Please note that any documents signed by hand must be sent to Eurocities’ office in Brussels, as original copies are necessary for our records. 

If your municipality restricts sending original documents, you may send certified copies instead. Ensure that these copies are officially certified to be true copies of the originals. 

If you have any questions about the Twinning Learning Programme, you can reach out to us via email!