The "Innovative Actions" 2026 Call – An Opportunity for the Development of Romanian Cities

The context of the initiative and its importance for Romanian cities

The European Urban Initiative (EUI) is launching its "Innovative Actions" 2026 funding call for the fourth year running, an important instrument dedicated to supporting cities in testing and implementing innovative solutions to complex urban challenges. In Romania, rapid urbanisation, traffic management, air quality, social inclusion and infrastructure development are pressing issues that require new solutions adapted to local specificities. The EUI call offers valuable funding for urban authorities that want to experiment with such solutions, contributing not only to improving quality of life, but also to the economic competitiveness and social inclusion of cities.

Who can apply and the essential eligibility conditions

According to the call criteria, eligible applicants are urban authorities in Europe with more than 25,000 inhabitants, including those in Romania, which can apply individually or together in consortia made up of several cities. This allows an integrated approach to shared problems, as well as the transfer of good practice between urban units. Other types of entities may be involved in projects, but the lead applicant must be an eligible urban authority. Clear representation of the local communities involved in implementation is expected, as well as proof of the technical and administrative capacity to carry out the project.

What types of projects can be funded and what the call aims to achieve

The "Innovative Actions" call focuses on supporting the testing of ideas and solutions in key areas such as sustainable urban mobility, climate change, social inclusion, circular economy development, digitalisation of public services and urban regeneration. The funding is intended to facilitate the piloting of experimental projects to assess their impact and scalability, with a strong emphasis on knowledge exchange between European urban authorities. Projects can cover a period of several years and can help cities become more resilient and innovative in the face of 21st-century challenges.

What to prepare for a strong funding application

Consultancy firms, and above all the local entities that want to access this call, must pay attention to a few essential aspects. First, you need to complete a clear plan that argues the local need and shows how the proposed solution is innovative and responds to concrete challenges. Technical documentation, preliminary studies or urban diagnostics and already validated partnerships are competitive advantages. It is also essential to prepare a monitoring and evaluation methodology that makes it possible to measure the impact of the innovative action. Last but not least, you must have available all administrative documents on the legal status, financial capacity and implementation capacity of the partners involved.

Practical aspects for entrepreneurs and local authorities

Entrepreneurs in the urban sector, real estate developers, technology companies and consultants can find in these projects an opportunity to get involved and collaborate with local authorities, directly influencing public strategies and projects. For local authorities, accessing EUI funds requires both good strategic planning and the mobilisation of local human and financial resources. We recommend starting the process early, setting up multidisciplinary working groups and ensuring good communication with citizens to increase the chances of success. Implementing an innovative action is an important step in strengthening local administrative and technical capacity, which will open doors to future funding.

Want to find out what non-refundable funding you can access?

The Todos Company team helps you with the whole process: from checking eligibility and calculating your score, to preparing the application file and submitting the project.

Fill in the Contact Form