LIFE CET 2026 topic presentations
Thirteen topics are open for the 2026 LIFE Clean Energy Transition call.
On this page you will find videos with dedicated presentations covering the specificities of each of the topics and, when relevant, the related policy context.
Each project application under the 2026 LIFE CET call should focus on one of these topics.
We invite you watch the videos on your topics of interest and to carefully read the call documentation available on the EU Funding & Tenders portal.
TOPIC: BETTERRENO (Read more)
Energy renovation solutions – Boosting building renovation through effective markets and instruments
The topic aims to speed up and scale affordable, high-quality building energy renovations to support the EU Renovation Wave and EPBD. It supports market-ready approaches, replicable business models and it also strengthens EPBD information tools (EPCs, Renovation Passports, SRI, Digital Building Logbooks, IEQ) via real-life pilots so data better supports renovation decisions and financing.
TOPIC: BUILDSKILLS (Read more)
National Platforms on energy efficiency skills for the clean energy transition
Following up on previous efforts under the BUILD UP Skills initiative, the topic aims to support further eligible countries in updating their national skills platform and roadmap, while also conducting a large-scale national communication and awareness raising campaign to attract more people to energy efficiency professions.
Video 1: Supporting digitalisation of Distribution System Operators for a smart energy transition - Policy context
The clean energy transition requires a modernised, smart energy system that can manage decentralised and variable power sources, ensure grid stability and security of supply, and improve energy efficiency and overall system efficiency, including through digitalisation-enabled demand flexibility. The digitalisation of electricity Distribution System Operators (DSOs), within the framework of Electricity Market Design and the Digitalisation of Energy Action Plan, enables smarter operation of distribution networks, facilitates active consumer participation and flexibility markets, and supports the EU’s long-term objective of climate neutrality by 2050.
Video 2: Supporting digitalisation of Distribution System Operators for a smart energy transition - Topic presentation
The topic aims to support capacity building for the roll-out of digital technologies and processes in Distribution System Operators, covering data management systems, network observability, and the safe deployment and operation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies.
Video 1: Scaling up smart and clean energy solutions for affordability in EU cities – Policy context
The recently published Citizens Energy Package communication includes an action point aimed at boosting the use of clean and energy efficient technologies that will contribute to improving energy affordability for European citizens, amongst others by facilitating local consumption and production of renewable energy. Many successful solutions have been developed and demonstrated under EU-funded programmes such as Horizon Europe, LIFE Clean Energy Transition, and the Innovation Fund.
Video 2 : Scaling up smart and clean energy solutions for affordability in EU cities - Topic presentation
The topic aims to address the gap between demonstration projects and market ready solutions by setting up an integrated support initiative to support the scale up and roll out of smart energy solutions at local level, based on scale up roadmaps, and thus contributing to improving energy affordability for European citizens.
Video 1: Facilitating cooperation among energy communities – Policy context
Description paragraph: Energy communities have been widely recognised as key actors in the EU energy system for their potential contribution in achieving the Union’s 2030 and 2050 energy and climate targets. As part of the Citizens Energy Package, the European Commission delivered guidance for Member States on measures to unleash the potential energy communities and energy self-consumption and engaged itself to publish an Energy Communities Action Plan.
Video 2: Facilitating cooperation among energy communities – Topic presentation
The topic has two scopes. Scope A aims to support the emergence of new second level communities AND/OR the consolidation and professionalisation of existing second level communities. Scope B aims to facilitate the implementation of energy projects led by energy communities in at least one of the focus areas through peer to peer support and targetted assitance. Focus areas for this second scope include: renewable heating and cooling, energy efficiency measures in buildings, provision of flexibility services (demand response, community energy storage, smart charging, participation in dynamic tariffs, aggregation of member assets, and intra‑ or inter‑community peer‑to‑peer trading) and electromobility services supporting the integration of renewable energy sources.
Video 1: Alleviating household energy poverty in Europe – Policy context
Description paragraph: The European Green Deal sets out to ensure an energy transition that is socially just and inclusive. In accordance with the Fit for 55 package, and in particular the recast Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), Member States shall take appropriate measures to empower and protect energy poor people and implement energy efficiency improvement measures as a priority among people affected by energy poverty, vulnerable customers, people in low-income households and, where applicable, people living in social housing. In addition, the revised EPBD requires Member States to target the least efficient building stock first in line with the “worst first principle” and the EED (recast) underlines the need to address the split incentive dilemma and remove barriers to energy efficiency measures in multi-owner properties. The social dimension of the Energy Union is further strengthened in the Citizens Energy Package through more ambitious commitments to reduce energy poverty and build on the implementation of the Fit for 55 package.
Video 2: Alleviating household energy poverty in Europe – Topic presentation
The topic aims to improve the living conditions and lower the energy expenditure of energy poor households by offering policy and coordination support to public authorities and stakeholders through cross-sectoral coordination structures tackling energy poverty, and by facilitating the energy renovation of multi-apartment buildings.
TOPIC: HEATCOOLPLAN (Read more)
Video 1: Supporting the delivery of actionable, integrated, and comprehensive local heating and cooling plans - Policy context
Local and regional authorities play a critical role in planning an energy efficient, renewable energy based, and resilient heating and cooling sector. The Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) sets a specific objective for local and regional authorities to prepare LHCPs at least in municipalities with a total population higher than 45,000.
Video 2: Supporting the delivery of actionable, integrated, and comprehensive local heating and cooling plans - Topic presentation
The topic supports local and regional authorities to develop and deliver actionable and integrated local heating and cooling plans (LHCPs) as effective instruments for clean and sustainable energy planning and investment at the local and regional level.
Supporting the clean energy transition of European industry and businesses
The topic aims to support the clean energy transition and competitiveness of European industry by bridging the gap between the demand and supply side of clean energy technologies as well as by fostering energy cooperation among companies in proximities including port areas.
Integrated services for clean energy transition in private buildings
The topic supports the creation or replication of One-Stop Shops (OSS) for the clean energy transition in private buildings, in line with the Energy Efficiency Directive, the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, and the Commission Recommendation on one-stop shops.
Project Development Assistance for sustainable energy investments
Significant sustainable energy investments are necessary to achieve the energy and climate targets of the EU together with enhanced energy independence. Project Development Assistance (PDA) provides technical assistance for project promoters to bridge the gap between the basic project idea on the one hand and the actual launch of the related investments on the other hand. It facilitates the preparation of investment pipelines of sustainable energy projects, which are actually launched during the project duration and achieve a minimum leverage effect.
Towards an effective implementation of key legislation in the field of sustainable energy
The topic aims to support the implementation of some of the key pieces of legislation in the field of sustainable energy, notably the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).
Crowding in private finance One-Stop-Shops: Integrated services for clean energy transition in private buildings
The PRIVAFIN topic aims to increase the amount of private finance allocated to energy efficiency and renewable energy sources by establishing dedicated financing schemes.
Strengthening national frameworks for renewable and efficient heating and cooling in existing buildings
This topic aims to strenghten the national regulatory and financial frameworks in support of the uptake of heat pumps and solar thermal in existing buildings. It supports the 2026 EU Heating and Cooling Strategy and Electrification Action Plan.
