Revitalising neighbourhoods around existing railway and motorway corridors

However, they can be perceived as sources of disturbances such as pollutants, noise and air pollution, invasive alien plants species vectors, potential hazards, etc. Moreover, railways lines and motorway may negatively impact surrounding neighbourhoods [1] through which they pass, making them unsightly, neglected, unattractive as well as biodiversity harmful. Innovative solutions are thus required to reduce the environmental, ecological, economic, social and health negative effects that active railway lines and motorways can have on surrounding neighbourhoods and to revitalise these places and turn them into more liveable, inclusive, safe, attractive and biodiverse ones in line with the sustainability [3] , inclusion [1] and aesthetic [5] values of the New European Bauhaus. Proposals are expected to address all of the following: Develop and demonstrate a package of measures to mitigate the negative effects of active railway lines and motorways on nearby neighbourhoods and revitalise those neighbourhoods. Implement this package of measures in three distinct neighbourhoods – one urban, one peri-urban, and one rural – located in different Member States and/or Associated Countries. Measure and assess the changes in environmental, ecological, economic, social and health impacts resulting from the package of measures developed and applied in the demonstrator sites. Identify barriers hindering the implementation of the proposed measures, including regulatory aspects and propose solutions to overcome them. Ensure the scalability and replicability of the measures through guidance and documented best practices for municipalities and relevant stakeholders. Proposals are expected to follow a participatory [6] and transdisciplinary approach [1] through the integration of different actors and disciplines and to co-create [1] the solution(s), engaging with relevant stakeholders such as public authorities, architects, urban and landscape planners or inhabitants. Proposals are expected, to the extent possible, to contribute to the urban greening goal set in the Nature Restoration Regulation. This topic requires the effective contribution of social sciences and humanities (SSH) [1] disciplines and the involvement of SSH experts, institutions as well as the inclusion of relevant SSH expertise, in order to produce meaningful and significant effects enhancing the societal impact of the related research activities. Proposals are expected to allocate at least 0.8% of their budget for engaging with the Horizon Europe-funded 'New European Bauhaus hub for results and impact' to share their intermediate and final results, findings and learning, as well as to contribute to impact assessment. Synergies should also be explored and, as appropriate, pursued with other relevant initiatives, such as the Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking (EU-Rail) [10] . Technology Readiness Level - Technology readiness level expected from completed projects Activities are expected to achieve TRL 6-8 by the end of the project – see General Annex B. Activities may start at any TRL. [1] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [2] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [3] See definition of “Sustainable” in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [4] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [5] See definition of “Beauty” in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [6] See definition of “participatory process” in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [7] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [8] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [9] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [10] See https://rail-research.europa.eu/

Eligibility and submission conditions

"> General conditions 1. Admissibility Conditions: Proposal page limit and layout described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System. 2. Eligible Countries described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide . 3. Other Eligible Conditions described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. 4. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes. 5a. Evaluation and award: Award criteria, scoring and thresholds are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes. 5b. Evaluation and award: Submission and evaluation processes are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual . 5c. Evaluation and award: Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes. 6. Legal and financial set-up of the grants Beneficiaries may provide financial support to third parties. The support to third parties can only be provided in the form of grants. The maximum amount to be granted to each third party is EUR 100 000 to allow for the co-creation and demonstration of the solution in neighbourhoods. described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes. Specific conditions described in the [specific topic of the Work Programme] Application and evaluation forms and model grant agreement (MGA): Application form templates — the application form specific to this call is available in the Submission System Standard application form (HE RIA, IA) Evaluation form templates — will be used with the necessary adaptations Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA)   Guidance HE Programme Guide   Model Grant Agreements (MGA) HE MGA   Call-specific instructions   Information on financial support to third parties (HE)   Additional documents: HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 13. New European Bauhaus Facility (NEB) HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 15. General Annexes HE Programme Guide HE Framework Programme 2021/695 HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764 EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509 Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual   Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions   Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement

Programme context

Destination 2 aims to make neighbourhoods [1] more sustainable [1] , circular [3] and regenerative [1] but also inclusive [1] , accessible, affordable and beautiful [1] , turning them into resilient places where nature and biodiversity can thrive, contributing to a better health and well-being for all, as well as clean air, soils, water and energy, in line with the Davos Declaration 2018 [7] . It does so by contributing to making the built environment [1] – including cultural heritage buildings – and its composing construction materials and products more sustainable and circular and by rethinking their design, construction, use, maintenance and disassembly. Specific attention is paid to the reuse and to extending the lifespan of existing infrastructure in order to minimize extraction of resources from the natural environment. It also explores the potential of digital tools and technologies to achieve these objectives as well as the potential of the cultural and creative sectors. The solutions developed should be user-centred and placed-based, and consider cultural heritage and vernacular knowledge [1] while reflecting local diversity and cultural identity and meeting people's (long-term) needs. Destination 2 thus addresses three of the Commission political guidelines 2024-2029, namely: A new plan for Europe’s sustainable prosperity and competitiveness Supporting people, strengthening our societies and our social model Sustaining our quality of life: Food security, water and nature By looking into the entire life cycles of buildings, from extraction of resources, manufacturing of products, construction, use and end-of-life while keeping reusable products and materials in multiple use cycles as long as possible, Destination 2 contributes to the achievement of the Clean Industrial Deal, the EU Green Deal, the Circular Economy Action Plan, the EU Bioeconomy Strategy and the forthcoming Circular Economy Act thereby supporting Europe’s leading position in the green transition [1] and sustainable prosperity. Moreover, by exploring how the existing built environment can be used more efficiently, it contributes to the Renovation Wave and potentially the European Affordable Housing Plan [11] . Destination 2 explores how the built environment can contribute to restoring its environment by leveraging nature-based-solutions [1] , biomimicry and regenerative designs. This includes clean soil, water and air and thus contributes to the Zero Pollution Action Plan [13] , the EU Biodiversity Strategy [14] , the Nature Restoration Regulation articles [15] , as well as the EU Strategy on Green Infrastructure [16] and the Water Resilience Strategy [17] . Such innovative designs and solutions should also improve the climate adaptability and resilience of buildings, neighbourhoods, cities and regions, thus contributing to the European Climate Adaptation Strategy. In Work Programme 2026-2027, this Destination contributes to the following overarching expected impacts set out in the Horizon Europe strategic plan 2025-2027: Living and working in a health-promoting environment Achieving global leadership in climate-neutral, circular and digitised industrial and digital value chains Putting biodiversity on a path to recovery, and protecting and restoring ecosystems and their services Sustainably developing rural, urban and coastal areas The Destination aims to deliver on these objectives by: Advancing the development and integration of innovative, bio-based [1] and more circular construction materials and products in new construction and building renovations, while complying with current European standards and regulations, as well as informing them. Rethinking the way we design, build, use, renovate and disassemble our built environment over its entire life cycle to reach a more circular and sustainable built environment, better health and well-being of their occupants, better resources management, better biodiversity and regenerated ecosystems. Leveraging digital tools and technologies, local cultural identity and heritage as well as traditional and vernacular knowledge and knowhow. Developing new methods or improve existing ones to assess environmental performance and associated impacts of solutions, designs and techniques for the built environment. Proposals for topics under this destination should set out a credible pathway to the development of circular and regenerative approaches for the built environment and more specifically to one or several of the following impacts: The built environment, including cultural heritage buildings, and its composing elements and materials in neighbourhoods are more sustainable, circular, adaptable, multi-purposed, long-lasting, and have net-zero GHG emissions (and beyond) over their entire life cycles, resulting in an overall more sustainable, and climate-neutral building stock. Neighbourhoods are more beautiful, healthier places where human beings, natural ecosystems and biodiversity can thrive. Spaces, existing buildings and resources for construction and renovation are optimally used without compromising affordability, comfort and living conditions. The solutions developed are sustainable, beautiful, user-centred and place-based, connect with local cultural identity, historical knowledge and cultural heritage, answer the needs of and are accepted by users – including minorities, underrepresented groups and groups in a vulnerable situation. Information on long-term environmental, social, economic impacts of sustainable and circular construction and renovation solutions for built assets are simplified, detailed and reliable, and better support decision-making process for built environment. When possible and relevant, actions are strongly recommended to collaborate with and build on the results of past and ongoing research projects, including regional, national or European funded projects, to ensure consistency and continuity in research. Legal entities established in China are not eligible to participate in both Research and Innovation Actions (RIAs) and Innovation Actions (IAs) falling under this destination. For additional information please see “Restrictions on the participation of legal entities established in China” found in General Annex B of the General Annexes. [1] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [2] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [3] See definition of ‘Circular economy’ in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [4] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [5] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [6] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [7] Davos Declaration, ‘Davos Declaration 2018’, 2018, https://davosdeclaration2018.ch/en/. [8] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [9] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [10] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [11] This document is not yet published at the time of writing. The Commission adoption is currently planned for the first quarter of 2026. [12] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [13] European Commission, Directorate-General for Environment, 'Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions.. Pathway to a Healthy Planet for All EU Action Plan: 'Towards Zero Pollution for Air, Water and Soil', COM/2021/400 final, 12 May 2021, accessed 5 August 2025, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52021DC0400&qid=1623311742827 . [14] European Commission, Directorate-General for Environment, ‘Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. Bringing nature back into our lives’, COM/2020/380 final, 20 May 2020, accessed on 5 August 2025, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A52020DC0380 . [15] European Parliament, Council of the European Union, ‘Regulation (EU) 2024/1991 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2024 on nature restoration and amending Regulation (EU) 2022/869’, 29 July 2024, accessed on 5 August 2025, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32024R1991&qid=1722240349976 . [16] European Commission, ‘Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. Green Infrastructure (GI) — Enhancing Europe’s Natural Capital’, COM/2013/0249 final, 6 May 2013, accessed on 5 August 2025, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A52013DC0249 . [17] European Commission, Directorate-General for Environment, ‘European Water Resilience Strategy’, 3 June 2025, accessed on 5 August 2025, https://environment.ec.europa.eu/publications/european-water-resilience-strategy_en . [18] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27.