Knowledge Institutions Catalysing Local Action for Net Zero
The CATALYSE project aims to accelerate the transition towards climate-neutral cities in Europe. While many cities are already experimenting with new approaches to reduce emissions and foster sustainability, these efforts often remain fragmented, small in scale, and disconnected from long-term strategies. CATALYSE moves beyond this limited experimentation and focuses on embedding mission-oriented policies that are firmly grounded in local realities.
At the heart of the project are Knowledge Institutions (KIs) – such as universities and research & technology organizations (like AIT) – which act as trusted hubs within local innovation ecosystems. By strengthening their role, CATALYSE empowers these institutions to connect diverse stakeholders, from city administrations and policymakers to businesses, civil society, and citizens. This inclusive approach ensures that knowledge and innovation are not only produced but also translated into meaningful action on the ground.
CATALYSE works with four pilot cities – Leipzig, Manchester, Rotterdam, and Vienna – to create problem-solution spaces where local needs and global climate challenges meet. In these spaces, the project supports co-creation, reflection, and experimentation, but also works on scaling successful solutions and embedding them in long-term governance structures. In this way, CATALYSE enhances the transformative capacities of cities and knowledge institutions alike, ensuring that social innovations and democratic participation are central to climate action.
Beyond the local level, the project actively contributes to the EU Cities Mission, which aims to deliver 100 climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030. By generating practical insights, policy recommendations, and transferable models, CATALYSE strengthens European cooperation and helps other cities benefit from the experiences of the pilots.
Ultimately, CATALYSE is about building bridges: between science and practice, between local action and European ambition, and between today’s fragmented experiments and tomorrow’s climate-neutral, inclusive, and resilient cities.
Start: 09/2025
End: 08/2028
Funded by: EU (Horizon Europe)
Contact: Gudrun Haindlmaier
Keywords: knowledge institutions, EU Cities Mission, transformative change, moving beyond experimentation
Website: https://www.linkedin.com/company/catalyse-cities-project/about/
