ENUTC Launches Second Call for Proposals Focusing on Building Transformation Capacity Through Arts and Design

A total of €4 million is available for five to eight proposals focusing on art and design as a means for urban change.

The ERA-NET Cofund Urban Transformation Capacities (ENUTC) aims to support urban transformation capacities toward a sustainable transformation of cities.

ENUTC has launched a second call for proposals focusing on art and design as a means for urban change. The call’s scope is to emphasise the importance of imagination, creativity and the cultural sector.

Eight funding agencies from Belgium, Bulgaria, Latvia, Netherlands, Poland, Romania and Sweden are participating in the call, which has a total budget of approximately €4 million to support between five and eight proposals.

Projects should focus on impact creation and implementation that Build Urban Transformation capacities inspired by the new perspectives, methodologies and approaches connected to the EU initiatives: the New European Bauhaus and the EU Mission: Climate Neutral and Smart Cities.

The aim of the call is to fund projects that are building transformation capacities towards climate neutral and sustainable cities by 2030 and that 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.

Projects will focus on the following three topics, which can be combined when relevant for the project’s purpose, aim and methodology:

• Topic 1: Experimentation and co-creation for a beautiful and sustainable urban future.
• Topic 2: Transformation to sustainable cities/urban transformation.
• Topic 3: Designing inclusive, liveable and green neighbourhoods.

Projects may focus on basic research or/and applied research or/and innovation, depending on the project’s aim, purpose and selected methodology.

Consortia must involve at least two eligible applicants from at least two different participating countries. No applicant may represent more than 60% of the total budget of the project. Each PI is only allowed to participate in a maximum of two proposals, and only once as the PI or a main applicant.

Projects must be cross-sectorial. The consortium must include at least one applicant from the culture and creative sector, and preferably at least one representative from citizens inhabitants (neighbourhoods) or a community organisation. The extent of involvement of other project members may vary according to the context of the study proposed and national regulations of participating funding organisations.

Applicants from different disciplines, organisations (eg citizens organisations or grassroot organisations) and municipalities as well as from science, practice and innovation are welcome to apply.

Eligibility requirements, national/regional topics of interest, eligible costs and funding provisions may vary according to the respective funding organisation’s regulations. Project partners must therefore refer and adhere to their own regional/national regulations and scientific remits, as detailed in the relevant regional/national announcements.

An Urban lunch talk and call information meeting for those interested in obtaining further details about the call took place on 27 February 2023. In addition, a Matchmaking event is to be held on 6 March 2023 (13:00-13:45 CET) to enable potential applicants to find suitable partners.

There are no fixed minimum or maximum limits for a project size. Projects should start in November 2023 and last for no longer than 24 months.

Proposals should be submitted by the 25 April 2023 (14:00 CEST) deadline.

(This report was the subject of a ResearchConnect Newsflash.)