Efficient, sustainable and inclusive energy use (Horizon Europe)

This Destination targets the energy demand side, notably a more efficient use of energy in buildings and industry. It contributes to the activities of the Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET Plan) and its implementation working groups.

This Destination contributes directly to the Strategic Plan’s Key Strategic Orientations ‘Green transition’, ‘Digital transition’ and ‘A more resilient, competitive, inclusive and democratic Europe’.

In line with the Strategic Plan, the overall expected impact of this Destination is to contribute to the ‘Using energy in buildings and industry in an efficient, affordable and sustainable way’.

The main impacts to be generated by topics under this Destination are:

Highly energy-efficient and climate neutral European building stock

1. The energy performance of the European building stock is improved at an accelerated pace, contributing to the EU's energy security, while the buildings and the built environment have reduced climate and environmental impact throughout their life cycle.
2. The energy renovation and construction of buildings are cost-efficient, affordable and less disruptive.
3. The buildings are increasingly interacting with the users, energy system and their environment while operating in an integrated, resilient, secure, smart and flexible manner.
4. The buildings and the built environment are more climate resilient, accessible, inclusive and delivers multiple benefits which improve the quality of life, health and well-being for all users.

Industry

1. The energy efficiency of EU energy intensive industries is improved, their consumption of fossil fuel and their GHG and other pollutants emissions are drastically reduced, notably through cost-effective electrification, use of renewable energy, heat recovery, thereby preserving / enhancing their global competitiveness.

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.

Topics with submission deadline on 15 September 2026:

• HORIZON-CL5-2026-09-D4-01: Researching the technical, social & economic factors impacting the energy performance of Smart Buildings (Built4People Partnership)
• HORIZON-CL5-2026-09-D4-02: Low disturbance prefabrication approaches for deep renovation of multi-storey buildings (Built4People Partnership)
• HORIZON-CL5-2026-09-D4-03: Advanced data platforms to integrate whole life carbon in building information tools, assessments, and certification (Built4People Partnership)
• HORIZON-CL5-2026-09-D4-04: Validating policies and business models for affordable and sustainable housing (Built4People Partnership)
• HORIZON-CL5-2026-09-D4-08: Full-scale demonstration of heat upgrade solutions in industrial processes

Find the full work programme of Cluster 5 "Climate, Energy and Mobility " for 2026-2027 here.