ICLEI - LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FOR SUSTAINABILITY EV

Their core work

ICLEI is a global network of local and regional governments committed to sustainable urban development. In H2020 projects, they bring the perspective of cities and municipalities — helping translate research into practical urban policies around climate action, energy transitions, mobility, and food systems. Their core contribution is bridging the gap between technical research outputs and real-world implementation at the local government level, ensuring solutions are designed with and for the communities that will adopt them.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

ICLEI's early H2020 work (2018–2020) centred on urban demonstration projects — nature-based city solutions (CLEVER Cities) and electric mobility deployment (SOLUTIONSplus), with a strong emphasis on international cooperation. From 2021 onward, the focus shifted decisively toward integrated assessment tools, behavioural change modelling, and cross-sectoral planning platforms (RethinkAction, SESA), alongside an emerging interest in food systems and public health (SchoolFood4Change). The trajectory shows a clear move from implementing discrete urban solutions to building decision-support frameworks that connect climate, energy, land use, and food policy.

ICLEI is moving from hands-on urban pilot projects toward integrated planning platforms that help local governments evaluate trade-offs across climate, energy, food, and land use — making them an increasingly strategic partner for systems-level research.

How they like to work

ICLEI consistently participates as a partner rather than a coordinator, contributing local government networks and policy implementation expertise to large consortia. With 158 unique partners across 39 countries in just 5 projects, they operate in very large, internationally diverse consortia — typical for an organization whose value lies in mobilizing city networks and ensuring research reaches municipal decision-makers. This makes them an accessible, well-connected partner but not a project driver.

With 158 consortium partners spanning 39 countries from only 5 projects, ICLEI operates in exceptionally large, globally diverse consortia. Their network extends well beyond Europe into Africa and developing regions, reflecting their role as a global local government network.

What sets them apart

ICLEI occupies a rare position as the bridge between EU-funded research and local government implementation worldwide. Unlike universities or research institutes, they bring a ready-made network of cities willing to test, pilot, and adopt project results. For any consortium that needs real-world urban deployment or policy uptake as an outcome, ICLEI provides the municipal access and governance expertise that purely technical partners cannot.

Highlights from their portfolio

• RethinkAction
  Largest single budget (EUR 512,375) and most technically ambitious — building a cross-sectoral planning platform integrating land use, behavioural change, and climate action.
• SOLUTIONSplus
  Directly tied to Paris Agreement implementation with a focus on integrated electric mobility in cities across multiple continents.
• SchoolFood4Change
  Signals a new direction into food systems and public health — unusual for a sustainability governance organization, suggesting strategic diversification.