greener eu 2050

Course Description    

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European funding can become an important catalyst for deploying projects that bring impact in the fields of sustainability and climate change. The world as we know it today faces challenges and problems that need us to rethink the way we propose ideas, solutions, and projects that can help increase sustainability and mitigate the negative effects of climate change.   

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The challenges and problems arising today can lead to opportunities so switching perspectives is something that we all have to master in these times. Instead of complaining about the current state of things, we must start now and then find ways to get together and collaborate for a brighter future.    

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Institutions, companies, organisations, and individuals alike are called to be active actors in understanding and imagining solutions for more sustainable communities, regions, and countries, while fighting against the negative effects of climate change. Through European funding, these actors can secure much needed funding, acquire new know-how, expand their networks of partners, help shape future policy experiments and recommendations, and contribute to more circular economies.   

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The complexity of European funding is well known. However, when acted upon with a long-term strategy, commitment to increase organisational capabilities, and eagerness to go beyond the extra mile, it can not only provide financial gains, but also pride and a sense of responsibility towards our planet as a whole, as climate change and the quest for sustainability know no boundaries.  

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Whether you work in the public or private sector, at the intersection of these, or are studying sustainability, climate change, and environment, you can learn more about how European funding can help you in implementing your ideas for a better world.   

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The course will provide both theoretical and practical aspects, and also insights from the founder and CEO of GreenerEU on how to secure funding and work with international partners in implementing projects at an European scale. 
 

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Syllabus       

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The course is structured into 6 parts: 
Part 1 - Introduction to European funding and programmes - you will discover the major programmes of the European Union that publish open calls in the fields of climate change, environment, nature, biodiversity, circularity, and sustainability.   

 

Part 2 - Types of funding and how to prepare for each one of it - you will understand what types of financial support can be given to interested organisations (institutions, companies, non-governmental organisations, clusters, etc.) and the main conditions imposed for each specific type of funding.  

 

Part 3 -  Project ideas in sustainability and climate change - you will discover tips for getting project ideas to apply at European open calls and how to move beyond ideas and consider their execution in a concrete manner. 
   
Part 4 - Create, consolidate, and expand your European network - you will find out from where to start your search for European partners, how to approach them, how to pitch your vision, how to understand their needs, challenges, and drivers, how to collaborate with them, and how to celebrate the milestones and the achievements of these partnerships. 

 

Part 5 - Shared tips and lessons for preparing and submitting your project - you will learn valuable tips and tricks for preparing and submitting a project, how to research and strengthen your project application, how to correctly evaluate your application before submitting, and common errors to avoid.   

 

Part 6 - Broader systems, politics of climate and sustainability, and competition - you will uncover how to think in systems about European funding and project applications, what are the real stakes in climate and sustainability, and how to deal with fierce competition for European grants.   
 

 

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Literature   

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• (2025) Commission Communication on A dynamic EU budget for the priorities of the future – The Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034; https://commission.europa.eu/publications/multiannual-financial-framework_en   

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• (2025) European Funding and Financing Initiatives Supporting the Green Transition; https://www.clustercollaboration.eu/sites/default/files/document-store/ECCP_GTS_Funding%20and%20Financing%20Overview_final.pdf  

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• (2025) Briefing: A single rulebook for EU funds?; https://zoe-institut.de/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Briefing_Tensions-EU-funds.pdf     

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• (2026) Transformation Tracker – Towards a Green and Social One-Planet Economy; https://eeb.org/en/library/transformation-tracker-towards-a-green-and-social-one-planet-economy/   

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• (2023) Sustainable Finance in the EU: Priorities to unlock financing and investment; https://www.afme.eu/media/mncdmvwp/afmesusfinframework031.pdf     

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• (2019) EU FINANCING FOR THE TRANSITION: overview of EU funding sources to build climate neutral economies; https://caneurope.org/content/uploads/2019/10/EU-financing-for-the-transition-overview-CAN-Europe-October-2019.pdf     

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• (2026) Co-designing soft climate adaptation: citizen centred solutions across four European pilots;  https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/climate/articles/10.3389/fclim.2025.1738479/full      

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• (2023) EU Climate Funding Tracker; https://www.agora-energiewende.org/fileadmin/Projekte/2023/2023-07_EU_MacroNext/A-EW_EU-ClimateFundingTracker-documentation_WEB.pdf  

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