District heating and cooling: Enabling modernisation and fuel switch through support for investment plans and skills development

Last updated: 15.7.2025
Grant

This program, part of the LIFE Clean Energy Transition, focuses on accelerating the decarbonisation of heating and cooling in Europe. It provides crucial support for district heating operators and public authorities to develop investment plans for modernisation and fuel switch, alongside comprehensive skills development initiatives, aiming to reduce fossil fuel dependency and achieve carbon neutrality.

Who is Funded by LIFE-2023-CET-DHC

This section outlines the eligibility criteria for the LIFE-2023-CET-DHC program, specifying the types of organizations and individuals who can apply, the geographical areas where projects must be implemented, and the overarching goals the program seeks to achieve in modernising district heating and cooling systems.

What is Funded for District Heating and Cooling Projects

The LIFE-2023-CET-DHC program supports projects focused on modernising and decarbonising district heating and cooling systems across Europe. Funding is available for initiatives that facilitate investment planning for fuel switching and integration of renewable energy sources, as well as for developing the necessary skills among professionals and public authorities to implement these changes effectively.

Type and Scope of LIFE-2023-CET-DHC Funding

The LIFE-2023-CET-DHC program provides financial support in the form of grants, with specific maximum contributions depending on the project's scope. Projects under this program can receive a high co-financing rate, aiming to enable significant advancements in sustainable energy infrastructure and capacity building.

Conditions and Requirements for LIFE-2023-CET-DHC Applicants

Applicants for the LIFE-2023-CET-DHC program must adhere to specific conditions, including consortium formation rules and general financial and operational capacity requirements. These provisions ensure that projects are well-structured, collaborative, and capable of delivering substantial impact towards the program's objectives.

Application Procedure for LIFE-2023-CET-DHC

The application process for the LIFE-2023-CET-DHC program involves specific submission steps and adherence to detailed guidelines. Proposals are evaluated based on defined criteria, and successful applicants receive grant agreements to implement their projects.

The LIFE-2023-CET-DHC funding program operates under a robust legal framework established by EU regulations and work programmes. These foundational documents authorize the program, govern its operations, and ensure alignment with broader European energy and climate policy objectives.

Similar Programs

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Funding Overview

Funding Status

Funding Status:

Closed

Maximum Amount

Maximum Amount:

1,750,000 EUR (Scope A), 1,500,000 EUR (Scope B)

Allocated Budget

Allocated Budget:

6,500,000 EUR

Open Until

Open Until:

Ongoing

Award Channel

Award Channel:

Framework Programme Call

Region

Region:

European Union (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden), Multi-Country (Iceland, Ukraine, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republic of Moldova, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and countries currently negotiating association agreements to the LIFE Programme).

Sectors

Sectors:

Energy Production and Supply, Renewable Energy, Environmental and Climate Protection

Beneficiaries

Beneficiaries:

District heating operators, professionals in district heating and cooling, civil servants in national, regional, and local authorities.

Application Type

Application Type:

Consortium Required

Funding Stages

Funding Stages:

Planning, Implementation, Capacity Building, Policy Development

Funding Provider

Program Level:

European Union

Funding Body:

European Commission

Managed By:

CINEA

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