The National Eco-Trust Fund (NTEF) coordinates the implementation of the NET ZERO CITIES initiative of the EU Cities Mission.

The role of NTEF is to attract more municipalities to the initiative and to mediate and assist in their accession to the initiative platform https://netzerocities.eu/the-netzerocities-portal/ .

The EU Cities Mission brings together local authorities, citizens, businesses, investors and national and regional organisations to deliver 100 climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030 and to ensure that these cities develop as hubs for experimentation and innovation, so that all European cities can follow suit by 2050.

The Mission supports Europe’s transition to climate neutrality by supporting 100 cities in the EU and 12 cities in countries associated with Horizon Europe in their efforts to become climate-neutral by 2030. Selected from 377 applicants, these cities serve as innovation hubs, pilot cross-sectoral solutions and new governance models to accelerate change and inspire all European cities to follow suit by 2050.

The Mission is based on the Climate City Covenants, co-created with local stakeholders and citizens, which outline the roadmap for cities towards climate neutrality, including plans for energy, buildings, waste management and transport, etc. These contracts also contain corresponding investment plans. Cities that have successfully developed these contracts receive the EU Mission Label, a recognition that facilitates access to public and private funding.

Since April 2023, 107 cities have been awarded the EU Mission Label following an expert assessment by the European Investment Bank and the Joint Research Centre. Cities awarded the label gain access to the Climate City Capital Hub. Launched in June 2024, the hub provides personalised financial advice in cooperation with the EIB and EBRD and connects cities with investors.

With around €120 million in annual funding from Horizon Europe, cities receive practical support from the Mission Platform (NetZeroCities) and the national mission structures (CapaCITIES), as well as access to open calls for research and innovation projects..

From Bulgaria, the cities of Gabrovo and Sofia are members of the Mission. With the support of NTEF, Ruse, Sapareva Banya, Blagoevgrad, Botevgrad, Sliven, Isperih and Pavlikeni have also joined the NetZeroCities initiative.