NetZeroCities is a four-year EU-funded project under the Horizon 2020 program, launched on October 1, 2021, to support European cities in achieving climate neutrality by 2030.125 Coordinated by EIT Climate-KIC, it involves 33-34 partners from 13 countries, including city networks, research organizations, universities, and consultancies, to deliver tailored expertise in systemic change, citizen engagement, financial structuring, and social innovation.125
The project's mission aligns with the EU Green Deal and the “100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030” initiative, helping cities overcome structural, institutional, and cultural barriers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.235 Key activities include operating a one-stop-shop platform aggregating tools, resources, and good practices; providing one-on-one technical and financial support for developing Climate City Contracts (politically binding commitments to climate neutrality); running pilot projects in up to 30 cities for rapid learning and replication; and facilitating a twinning program for peer-to-peer exchange.35 Additional efforts encompass online courses, such as a project-based lab launching September 16, 2025, to guide cities in creating net-zero strategies based on experiences from 112 European cities.4
Geographically, NetZeroCities operates across Europe, targeting EU and affiliated countries to scale activities to 100 cities and support broader replication by 2050.123 Its impact on housing integrates into city-wide climate action, addressing urban energy use (over 65% of global totals) and emissions (over 70% of CO2) through systemic transformations that promote low-carbon building practices, resilient infrastructure, and inclusive retrofitting, though specific housing pilots emphasize broader urban sustainability rather than isolated programs.3