Twinning Learning Programme

A call for Twin Cities will select a third Cohort of cities that are not already engaged with the Cities Mission or with Pilot Cities, fostering collaboration and driving systemic change towards climate neutrality.

The Call for Twin Cities is open to any city within EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries who are not part of the Twinning Learning Programme, Pilot Cities Programme, or the Cities Mission and are committed to reaching climate neutrality before or by 2050.

Applications will be accepted until 31 October. Successful Twin Cities will be announced in early December, with the learning programme set to commence by December 2024.

Following Twin Cities Cohort 1, the second Cohort of Twin Cities will pair selected Twin Cities with Pilot Cities from Cohort 2 to embark on a learning journey. Selected cities will be announced in September 2024.

The Call for Twin Cities was open to any city within EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries who were not part of the Twinning Learning Programme, Pilot Cities Programme, or the Cities Mission and were committed to reaching climate neutrality before or by 2050.

Pilot Cities and Twin Cities matching is based on finding similar challenges and common interests in the different emissions domains and levers of change, allowing innovative actions through systemic transformation. A range of activities, such as tailored online meetings, workshops and inspiring site visits, are organised to advance learning, experience sharing and co-creation of solutions on the road to climate neutrality.

Twin Cities receive hands-on support from NetZeroCities partners to advance their objectives, and have access to the set of tools and resources provided by the NetZeroCities portal.

In September 2023, the first Cohort of Twin Cities was selected. Forty cities, coming from across Europe, were matched with a Pilot City or cluster of cities already innovating and piloting decarbonisation activities as part of the Cities Mission.