In a nutshell
In order to receive funding from the EUCF, you must apply for becoming a beneficiary.
The application process consists of two main steps: 1. the eligibility check and 2. the full application.
Be aware that applications have to be submitted in English language only and that you can download the Annexes needed for sumbission here.
Regional Approach
A total number of four calls for applications with cut off dates will take place. Each call is organized in parallel for three geographic regions within the European Union (incl. UK):
How to apply?
Before applying, watch our explanatory video and get an overview!
| Regions | Countries |
|---|---|
| Central and Eastern Europe | Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovenia and Slovakia. |
| Nordic countries & Western Europe | Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Sweden, United Kingdom. |
| Southern Europe | Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Spain. |
Overall, each call for applications will be open for two months, except for the first cal, for which the application period has been extended due to Covid-19. The following tentative timeline applies for the EUCF calls for applications:
| Call for Applications | Application period |
|---|---|
| 1st call | 25 May 2020 - 2 October 2020 |
| 2nd call | March - April 2021 |
| 3rd call | October - November 2021 |
| 4th call | May - June 2022 |
The exact dates of the calls and any alterations regarding the opening and closing of application periods will be published under Open Calls.
For more information on the Regional Approach, check out Regional Calls.
Be aware that you may benefit only once from the EUCF. However, unsuccessful applications may be revised and therefore re-submitted in a following call for applications.
Evaluation Process
The evaluation of the EUCF applications is conducted after the close of each call for applications by a dedicated evaluation team and it is based on five criteria: investment size, energy savings, governance structure, stakeholder engagement and alignment with EUCF objectives.
If the EUCF receives more than 70 applications per call for a given region, a filtering mechanism will apply to ensure the maintenance of a timely and high quality evaluation process. The submitted applications will be listed according to two of the criteria: investment size and energy savings. A threshold will be set according to the budget available for the given call and region + 20% buffer. All applicants above the threshold as well as applicants with a lower initial result but able to reach the threshold with the points of the remaining criteria will be evaluated in full. Those applications with a lower initial result not able to reach the threshold are evaluated successively when applications above the threshold receive scores below 3.
In case of incomplete documents, the application is rejected and the applicant receives an email notification from the EUCF website user zone. At the end of the evaluation process, each applicant is informed about the final result with corresponding justification through a feedback report. The best scored applications are selected to receive EUCF support. Unsuccessful applications can seek support from the EUCF Helpdesk and are able to participate again in the next call for applications.
For more information on the evaluation process, criteria and filtering mechanism, please have a look at the Guidelines for Applicants.
Timeline
Local authorities undertake a 5 steps journey within the scope of the EUCF, from the pre-application phase towards the implementation of their investment concept.
