The Smart Cities Marketplace has released its final publication, titled "From Small to Large: Best Practices for Local Sustainable Solutions", offering a comprehensive overview of the initiative’s experience supporting cities across Europe in turning climate ambitions into concrete, investment-ready projects.
The report captures key lessons from several years of hands-on support to cities and provides practical insights into how local authorities can progress from planning to implementation. At a time when Europe’s energy and climate transition is entering a decisive phase, the publication highlights the importance of bridging the gap between strategy and delivery.
Cities play a central role in this transition. They are where solutions are deployed, systems are integrated, and citizens experience change in their daily lives. The report shows how the Smart Cities Marketplace, as a European Commission initiative, has created a structured environment that connects local authorities, businesses and investors, enabling projects to move from concept to realisation.
A central message of the publication is that the main challenge for cities is no longer defining ambitions but delivering them. While many local authorities have developed robust climate and energy plans, turning these into bankable projects remains complex. The Marketplace addresses this by providing technical assistance, facilitating partnerships and connecting cities with investors, thereby accelerating the pathway from idea to implementation.
Between 2018 and early 2025, the initiative supported 144 projects with a combined investment value of approximately €1.4 billion, spanning sectors such as energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable mobility and digital solutions. This experience demonstrates that barriers are often linked to project development capacity, financial structuring and access to investment, rather than technology itself.
The publication also places strong emphasis on inclusiveness. Small and medium-sized cities, which represent the majority of Europe’s urban landscape, often face structural constraints, including limited resources and expertise. By offering tailored support in local languages and facilitating project aggregation and collaboration, the Smart Cities Marketplace helps these cities overcome barriers and actively contribute to the transition
A key component of the report is its case book, showcasing best practices from cities across Europe. These examples illustrate how local authorities are implementing concrete solutions, from renewable energy systems and energy communities to smart mobility and building renovation. Rather than focusing on high-level strategies, the cases highlight practical pathways, governance models and financing approaches that can be replicated in different urban contexts.
Beyond individual projects, the report underscores the importance of a coherent European ecosystem that supports cities. The Smart Cities Marketplace is positioned as a key delivery mechanism within this ecosystem, complementing planning initiatives and investment preparation tools by focusing specifically on project development, financing and implementation.
Looking ahead, the publication identifies several strategic insights. Among them is the growing need for hands-on implementation support, improved coordination between EU initiatives, and stronger local engagement to ensure that support is accessible and effective. It also highlights the increasing role of citizen participation and energy communities in shaping sustainable urban transformation.
Ultimately, the report demonstrates that scaling Europe’s climate transition will depend on the ability to transform local ideas into viable, financeable projects. By combining technical expertise, matchmaking and collaboration, the Smart Cities Marketplace provides a tested model for achieving this transformation and ensuring that no city is left behind.