This call is closed.
Content
- About the call
- Projects
- Events
- Call topics
- How to apply
- Project duration
- Resources
- Time schedule
- FAQ
- Call secretariat
- Participating countries and funding agencies
“Our current crisis is not only about
the environment and the climate,
but also a crisis of the imagination. “
1. About the call
We seem simply not capable of imagining the sustainable societies of tomorrow. We are stuck in current modes of thinking and old solutions, perhaps useful for solving old problems.
There is a potential of bringing change mechanisms by methodology and methods to envision the future. To imagine and create, open up new worlds, futures and imaginaries, and transform our minds, processes and tools in ways to achieve what needs to be achieved for urban transition.
The challenge is to implement these strategies and make change happen. This call focuses on the building of transformation capacities with new perspectives to make the urban transition really happening – by going beyond the usual procedures, and by being more innovative and creative.
Eight funding agencies from Sweden, Latvia, Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, Romania, and Bulgaria had together a budget of approximately 4 million euro for the call. The call followed a one-step evaluation process by an international expert panel.
2. Projects
The projects selected for funding was decided in the autumn of 2023, and you may find out more about the announcement here. You may also learn about the projects here:
3. Events
International events were arranged to inform applicants about the proposal process and further on networking and exchange between projects. For more information, see the time schedule below.
4. Call topics
The applicants could select between three topics when developing their projects. The three topics could be combined when relevant for the projects purpose, aim and methodology.
Topic 1: Experimentation and co-creation for a beautiful and sustainable urban future
A future that is “beautiful for our eyes, minds, and souls”. As such, the arts and creative sectors have an important role to play as boundary spanners for urban transformation. The ambitions for the transformation of our societies are high. To be able to deliver new ways to build sustainable, climate neutral neighbourhoods it is fundamental to use co-creation and radical mobilisation between disciplines, sectors, civil society, bodies of knowledge, etc.
Key elements: Inclusiveness; co-creation; experimentation; (re)design; (re)develop.
Topic 2: Transformation to sustainable cities / urban transformation
In a sustainable city, urban spaces are not loosely connected parts – but the very building blocks for liveable neighbourhoods and communities in the urban context. To anticipate anthropogenic effects, it is as important to integrate issues of design, consumption behaviours, circular economy, energy use, mobility patterns, waste management, and management of existing built environments – as it is to develop and design urban areas, neighbourhoods, streets, squares, etc. that promote more sustainable mobility patterns, renewable energy use and reduced consumption.
Key elements: Residential and public environments; architecture and design; biodiversity; ecological footprint.
Topic 3: Designing Inclusive, Liveable and Green Neighbourhoods
Transforming neighbourhoods while adhering to the needs of different groups of society can potentially lead to conflict-laden decisions and processes. There is a need for more knowledge and new solutions that bring into focus such conflicts, accountability, legitimacy, justice, trust, consequences, and opportunities that come with democracy and participation. To a high degree, public spaces and natural and cultural environments should be designed and used in ways that foster co-creation, social inclusion, and a sense of community.
Key elements: Different interests; democracy and participation; civil society.
5. How to build a consortium and apply
The culture and creative sector, with artists, designers, and/or scientists and practitioners were to be represented in the project. Each consortium submitting a proposal should involve at least two eligible applicants applying for funds in the call, from at least two different countries, whose funders participate in the call. Each main applicant should only participate in a maximum of two proposals, and only once as a main applicant.
In order to build transformation capacities towards climate neutral and sustainable cities by 2030 and rely on aesthetic perspectives and approaches in terms of design, form architecture, art and cultural heritage and new forms of governance and collaboration, as well as by engaging citizens, it was imperative that projects were cross-sectorial.
6. Project duration
The project duration was two years, starting in November 2023, and ending in 2025, including some overlapping during 2026.
7. Timeline
Call opening: 22 February 2023, 14.00 CET
>> Urban lunch talk and information meeting: 27 February 2023, 12.00–13.30 CET
>> Matchmaking event: 6 March 2023, 13.00–13.45 CET
>> Deadline for submission of proposals (via UEFISCDI): 25 April 2023, 14:00 CEST
Eligibility check, evaluation of pre-proposals: May – August 2023
Meeting of Expert panel: September 2023
Funding recommendation by the Call Steering Committee: September 2023
National funding decisions and announcement of results to Main Applicants: October 2023
Granting and start of the projects: November 2023
>> Kick-off event & Agora dialogue, Netherlands (with cofunded call’s mid-term event): 8–10 November 2023
>> Urban lunch talk: New perspectives and approaches – What is needed for policy making? 27 May 2024
>> Mid-term event, Sweden: 14–15 November 2024
>> Urban Living Labs in Action: From Europe to Latin America’s Neighbourhoods and Cities: 5 December 2024
>> Final event, Romania: 17–18 September 2025
>> Urban Lunch Talk: The aftermath – What came out of the ENUTC calls? 27 October 2025
Projects end: 2025
8. More information
>> Article: Announcement about projects
>> Article: Projects met in the Netherlands
>> Newsletter: ENUTC Midterm & Kick-off event for cofunded and BTC projects
>> International training: Reflections on continuation
>> ENUTC BTC Project Result Catalogue 2025
>> Newsletter: ENUTC final event for BTC projects
9. Call secretariat
Formas – A Swedish Research Council for Sustainable Development
Executive Agency for Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation Funding (UEFISCDI)
10. Participating countries and funding agencies
