The European City Facility (EUCF) will launch its eighth call for applications on 26 October 2026, with a total budget of 3.72 million euros to support the preparation of local investments in energy efficiency and clean energy. Local authorities in Romania can apply for grants of 60,000 euros, while the Alba Local Energy Agency (ALEA), acting as the National EUCF Hub, will organise an information webinar for potential applicants on the same day.
Funded through the European Union’s LIFE Programme, the call will support up to 62 beneficiaries across Europe, each receiving a lump-sum grant of 60,000 euros to develop an investment concept.
The funding is intended for project preparation rather than the direct financing of construction or implementation works. The grants can cover the technical and financial services needed to turn local energy and climate plans into viable investment projects capable of subsequently attracting public or private financing.
Eligible applicants include municipalities, local authorities, groups of local authorities and local public entities bringing together several municipalities. Proposed investments may cover energy efficiency, clean energy generation and use, heating and cooling systems, or combinations of these areas.
A new feature of Call 8 is the acceptance of local heating and cooling plans as strategic documents demonstrating local authorities’ commitment to energy-related objectives. Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans (SECAPs) and equivalent strategies remain eligible.
The call is open to applicants from all European Union Member States, as well as Iceland, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Montenegro and North Macedonia. The latter three countries are participating in the EUCF mechanism for the first time.
The deadline for submitting applications is 21 December 2026, at 17:00 Brussels time (18:00 Romanian time).
ALEA to host a national webinar presenting the call
To support Romanian local authorities in preparing their applications, the Alba Local Energy Agency (ALEA), acting as the National EUCF Hub, will organise an online information webinar on Monday, 26 October 2026, starting at 10:00 Romanian time.
The session will present the funding opportunity and the conditions for accessing EUCF support. At national level, ALEA is responsible for promoting the calls, informing potential applicants and providing guidance to local authorities interested in developing energy investment projects.
Registration for the webinar is required by 23 October 2026.
Register for the national EUCF Call 8 webinar
For further information, interested local authorities can contact the national EUCF support team at [email protected].
Details about the call, eligibility requirements and application procedure are available on the official European City Facility website.