- Policy Area
- Safe and engaged cities
Protecting people and strengthening democracy
Safe and engaged cities combine effective protection with active civic life. They secure public spaces and critical systems against threats while empowering citizens to participate in local democratic processes. The focus here is on safety, preparedness and democratic engagement as mutually reinforcing pillars of urban resilience.
Key policy areas of action include:
- Public safety and prevention: public lighting, public spaces and transport maintenance, crime prevention.
- Crisis and disaster preparedness: emergency planning, civil protection, business continuity and community resilience.
- Critical infrastructure and cyber resilience: robust essential services such as digital, transport, energy and water systems.
- Citizen engagement and democratic participation: participatory budgeting, civic tech, inclusive governance and transparency.
- Governance for preparedness: local governance arrangements, multi-stakeholder coordination and contingency planning.
On this portal, you can:
- Plan: Shape your strategy with EU policy frameworks for public safety, crisis preparedness and civic participation.
- Apply: Access information about EU funding opportunities and advisory support for safety infrastructure, preparedness systems and civic participation initiatives.
- Deliver: Use EU toolkits and operational guidance to deploy preparedness systems and create safe public spaces and participatory processes.
- Connect: Build partnerships with other cities and stakeholders, to strengthen safety, democracy and engagement.
- Learn: Explore success stories, evaluations and lessons from other cities who are pioneering safety measures and democratic participation.
Plan
“Shape your local strategy or project idea”
→ Access EU policy frameworks, needs assessments, strategy guides, and examples of city action plans.
(For cities starting from planning or project preparation)
CIVITAS is a network of over 330 cities dedicated to sustainable urban transport. It offers local authorities practical support to develop, test, and implement innovative transport solutions, such as cleaner vehicles, better public transport, active mobility ...
The EIB Climate Adaptation Investment Advisory Platform (ADAPT) is a new initiative developed as part of the EIB Climate Adaptation Plan, with the aim of directly contributing to the objectives of the EU Adaptation Strategy. ADAPT is an advisory platform that ...
The Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy brings together over 11,000 local governments across Europe committed to reducing emissions, improving energy efficiency, building climate resilience, and tackling energy poverty. Participating cities align with EU climate goals and ...
Apply
“Identify and seize funding and support opportunities”
→ Discover open calls, grants, co-financing tools, technical assistance offers, and practical guides for applications.
(For cities seeking resources to fund their actions)
The “Civil Security for Society” is a cluster of the Horizon Europe Programme that funds research and innovation, including projects to help cities become more secure, and more resilient. It is especially relevant to face for tackling security threats and ...
CIVITAS is a network of over 330 cities dedicated to sustainable urban transport. It offers local authorities practical support to develop, test, and implement innovative transport solutions, such as cleaner vehicles, better public transport, active mobility ...
The European Capital of Innovation Awards recognise cities that lead the way in testing innovative solutions to social and environmental challenges. They celebrate local initiatives that boost sustainability, digitalisation, and citizen participation. Winners ...
Deliver
“Deploy solutions with hands-on tools and services”
→ Find toolkits, peer-learning initiatives, service offers, and operational support to put plans into action.
(For cities in the rollout or operational phase)
The “Civil Security for Society” is a cluster of the Horizon Europe Programme that funds research and innovation, including projects to help cities become more secure, and more resilient. It is especially relevant to face for tackling security threats and ...
The Citizen Energy Advisory Hub (CEAH) offers support and technical assistance to local authorities, citizens, small firms, small NGOs, third sector bodies, households and energy communities, through project support, capacity building and sharing experience of ...
CIVITAS is a network of over 330 cities dedicated to sustainable urban transport. It offers local authorities practical support to develop, test, and implement innovative transport solutions, such as cleaner vehicles, better public transport, active mobility ...
Connect
“Build partnerships and join networks”
→ Access EU city networks, matchmaking platforms, partnership events, and collaborative opportunities.
(For cities wanting to work with others, scale up, or share experiences)
The “Civil Security for Society” is a cluster of the Horizon Europe Programme that funds research and innovation, including projects to help cities become more secure, and more resilient. It is especially relevant to face for tackling security threats and ...
The Citizen Energy Advisory Hub (CEAH) offers support and technical assistance to local authorities, citizens, small firms, small NGOs, third sector bodies, households and energy communities, through project support, capacity building and sharing experience of ...
CIVITAS is a network of over 330 cities dedicated to sustainable urban transport. It offers local authorities practical support to develop, test, and implement innovative transport solutions, such as cleaner vehicles, better public transport, active mobility ...
Learn
“Draw lessons from city success stories and evaluations”
→ Explore best practices, city stories, evaluated projects, replication toolkits, and lessons learned.
(For cities improving, replicating, or refining actions)
The “Civil Security for Society” is a cluster of the Horizon Europe Programme that funds research and innovation, including projects to help cities become more secure, and more resilient. It is especially relevant to face for tackling security threats and ...
CIVITAS is a network of over 330 cities dedicated to sustainable urban transport. It offers local authorities practical support to develop, test, and implement innovative transport solutions, such as cleaner vehicles, better public transport, active mobility ...
The Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy brings together over 11,000 local governments across Europe committed to reducing emissions, improving energy efficiency, building climate resilience, and tackling energy poverty. Participating cities align with EU climate goals and ...