This EU Missions call deploys innovative wastewater solutions in cities and regions. It covers management, treatment and valorisation. In addition, it is an Innovation Action under the joint Missions call.
About the Wastewater Solutions in Cities Call
Wastewater is a growing challenge and a hidden resource for cities. New solutions can recover water, energy and nutrients while cutting pollution. Furthermore, digital monitoring helps operators run plants more efficiently. As a result, the call suits urban infrastructure and smart-water innovators in the UTA network. Explore more smart city funding opportunities on the UTA funding page.
Who Can Apply to the Wastewater Solutions in Cities Call
Consortia must include entities from at least four cities in four different EU Member States or Associated Countries. In addition, at least one Cities Mission city and one Adaptation Mission Charter signatory must take part.
Focus Areas and Funding
Three projects of about €9.5m each are expected. Therefore, proposals should show real deployment, not only research. In short, applicants should align their project closely with the expected outcomes and impact described in the call text.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Call: Joint call of the Cities Mission and the Adaptation Mission (HORIZON-MISS-2027-07)
- Topic ID: HORIZON-MISS-2027-07-CLIMA-CIT-CCRI-02
- Type of action: Innovation Action (IA), funded as a budget-based grant
- Topic budget: €28.5 million, with around €9.5 million per project
- Expected number of grants: 3
- Submission: single stage, opening 9 February 2027 and closing 22 September 2027 at 17:00 Brussels time
- Target maturity: TRL 7–8 by the end of the project
Expected Outcomes
- Cities and regions adopt climate-adapted wastewater practices that save energy, recover energy and raw materials and reuse water.
- Treatment and management solutions for water, stormwater and wastewater are deployed and scaled up.
- Knowledge on practices, governance and business models spreads, so others can replicate them.
- Cities gain practical ways to overcome administrative, governance and financing barriers.
What Proposals Must Cover
- The topic supports the recast Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive, including energy neutrality for larger plants and the reuse of nitrogen, phosphorus and water.
- Projects cover at least three of four strands: nature-based solutions; sustainable drainage and green-blue stormwater management; energy efficiency and recovery; and regional pooling of resources.
- Every project includes water reuse.
- At least four cities or regions from four different countries take part: at least two demonstrators and at least two replicators.
- The local water management organisation of each participating city or region must join the consortium.
- At least one partner must come from a Mission city and at least one from an Adaptation Mission Charter signatory.
- Projects link with the Water4All partnership and the European Water Resilience Strategy. Entities controlled by China cannot take part.
Source: the official topic page on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal, checked on 16 October 2026.
Why the Wastewater Solutions in Cities Call Matters
For cities, the wastewater solutions in cities opportunity is a chance to test new solutions with trusted partners and shared funding. In addition, it helps public authorities learn from peers in other countries. Successful projects often lead to wider roll-out and new procurement. However, strong proposals need early planning, clear roles and real demonstration sites. That is why UTA brings cities, innovators and researchers together long before deadlines. Moreover, our network helps partners find the missing skills or countries a consortium needs. As a result, members can move from idea to proposal faster and with more confidence.
Deadline and How to Apply
The call opens on 9 February 2027 and closes on 22 September 2027. Apply through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. For this reason, utilities and cities should align early. Read the full details on the official call page. Urban Technology Alliance can also connect you with cities in the UTA network. Contact us to discuss a consortium for this call.