Call for followers opens under LIFE ENABLE DHC to accelerate greener district heating

Europe's district heating and cooling networks - the vast systems of pipes that carry hot water and cooling energy to homes, hospitals and businesses - are central to the continent's clean energy transition. Yet many of these networks still rely on fossil fuels or outdated infrastructure. The LIFE ENABLE DHC project aims to change that.

Funded by the European Commission under the LIFE Clean Energy Transition programme, ENABLE DHC supports the transformation of district heating and cooling (DHC) systems into "efficient DHC" networks, as defined in the EU's Energy Efficiency Directive. In practice, this means modernising infrastructure, integrating renewable and waste heat sources, and developing sound investment plans that can attract public and private finance.

The project is currently developing nine investment case studies across seven countries - Austria, Croatia, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Slovenia and Ukraine - each operating under markedly different regulatory, economic and technical conditions. These case studies are designed to demonstrate viable pathways for upgrading existing networks and accelerating decarbonisation.

To broaden its impact, ENABLE DHC has now opened a call for "followers ": public authorities, utility operators and investors interested in innovative financing strategies for existing district heating and cooling networks. Selected followers will gain access to the studies and analyses produced by the project, benefit from its extensive European networking channels, and receive peer-to-peer coaching from ENABLE DHC experts.

Applications are currently being considered from district heating and cooling networks that meet the criteria set out in the call. The deadline for submissions is 15 April 2026 at 18:00 CET.

Further details, including eligibility requirements and the application procedure, are available on the ENABLE DHC website .