NetZeroCities has officially presented and recognized the cities of Dortmund, Sarajevo, and Elbasan as "Mission Label" cities on February 16, 2026, marking a major expansion of the EU’s climate-neutral network, now totaling 106 cities.
This label is far more than a symbolic award as it serves as a validation of a city’s Climate City Contract (CCC), signaling to private investors and EU funding agencies that cities have a credible, bankable strategy for 2030. For cities like Sarajevo and Elbasan, this milestone is particularly vital for attracting international climate finance to modernize aging district heating and mobility systems.
By building a unified "club" of labeled cities, NetZeroCities is creating a high-trust environment where peer-to-peer learning and joint investment become significantly easier, accelerating the transition from isolated pilot projects to city-wide climate neutrality.
With the label, cities gain access to critical support including:
- The Climate City Capital Hub, connecting cities with public, private, and philanthropic investors
- European Investment Bank advisory services and a dedicated €2 billion lending envelope
- Enhanced visibility and credibility for their plans to attract investment
Three approaches to climate action:
- Elbasan fosters agro-solar systems and geothermal energy, linking renewable energy with agriculture and buildings through a cross-sectoral approach.
- Dortmund promotes community-driven renewable energy initiatives, from balcony solar systems to citizen cooperatives, while advancing circular solutions such as second-life photovoltaic panels and storage.
- Sarajevo strengthens local democracy through citizen assemblies, which are integrated into its climate city contract, and complemented by energy-community initiatives and actions targeting vulnerable groups.
You can learn more about the EU Mission Cities via this link.
