ICLEI EUROPEAN SECRETARIAT GMBH (ICLEI EUROPASEKRETARIAT GMBH)

Their core work

ICLEI European Secretariat is the European arm of the global network "Local Governments for Sustainability," helping cities and regions implement sustainable development through policy support, capacity building, and procurement innovation. They specialize in translating EU research outcomes into practical tools that municipal governments can adopt — covering energy planning, urban mobility, climate resilience, and circular economy. Their core value lies in bridging the gap between research projects and on-the-ground urban policy implementation, mobilizing a vast network of local authorities across Europe. They are not a research lab but an action-oriented intermediary that ensures research results reach the cities that need them.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early H2020 period (2015–2018), ICLEI focused heavily on urban resilience frameworks, lighthouse smart city demonstrations, energy-saving retrofits, and establishing operational tools for city planners. From 2019 onward, their work shifted decisively toward policy co-creation, just transition, energy communities, circular economy, and participatory planning — reflecting a move from technical demonstration toward inclusive governance and systemic change. The growing emphasis on social innovation and nature-based solutions signals an organization evolving from "how to implement green tech" to "how to make sustainability transitions fair and participatory."

ICLEI is moving toward equity-centered climate governance, combining energy communities, just transition, and participatory methods — making them an ideal partner for projects requiring genuine municipal engagement and citizen inclusion.

How they like to work

ICLEI operates predominantly as an active partner (84 of 94 projects), bringing their city network and policy expertise into large consortia rather than leading the research agenda. With 1,297 unique consortium partners across 61 countries, they function as a massive hub connecting researchers to local governments — rarely repeating the same small group. Their balanced participation across CSA (35), RIA (31), and IA (27) projects shows they contribute equally to coordination support, research, and innovation actions, making them a versatile and well-connected consortium member.

With 1,297 unique consortium partners spanning 61 countries, ICLEI operates one of the largest collaboration networks in the H2020 sustainability space. Their reach extends well beyond the EU into associated countries, reflecting their role as a gateway between European research and global municipal networks.

What sets them apart

ICLEI's defining advantage is direct access to hundreds of European local governments willing to pilot, test, and implement research outcomes — something no university or tech company can offer at this scale. They don't just disseminate results; they embed them into municipal policy through procurement frameworks, mobility plans, and climate action strategies. For any consortium that needs real-world urban testbeds and policy uptake pathways, ICLEI is essentially irreplaceable.

Highlights from their portfolio

• SUMPs-Up
  Coordinated with EUR 783K funding — their largest coordinator role, accelerating sustainable urban mobility plan adoption across European cities.
• RESIN
  EUR 870K for climate-resilient cities and infrastructure — their highest single-project funding as participant, demonstrating deep commitment to urban adaptation.
• Ruggedised
  EUR 773K in a flagship smart city project spanning Rotterdam, Umeå, and Glasgow — showcasing ICLEI's role in large-scale cross-city energy and IoT demonstrations.