The EU-funded SPACE4Cities project is offering €2.87 million to develop innovative solutions using satellite applications to make the cities more future-proof. This initiative aims to tackle urban challenges like climate change and crisis mitigation by harnessing the power of European satellite data and space technologies.
Traditionally, satellite data and other applications have been used to monitor natural environments like forests and oceans. Now, SPACE4Cities is exploring how space technologies can benefit Europe’s densely populated areas, helping city planners create more sustainable and resilient urban environments. European satellite data, still very underused by cities, is expected to serve as an excellent addition to the data already available.
This call for tenders, opening January 15th and closing April 9th, 2025, invites companies, research centers, and non-profit organisations to develop solutions addressing three key areas:
- Urban Planning and Management: Using digital tools for improving the accuracy and efficiency of dynamic urban space data collection, analysis and visualisation.
- Sustainable Mobility: Improving public transportation, active mobility (like walking and cycling), logistics, and emergency response while reducing CO2 emissions.
- Climate Adaptation: Enhancing city resilience to environmental risks such as floods and heat waves, promoting green spaces, and supporting the transition to cleaner energy sources.
The SPACE4Cities project has a total budget of €5.2 million, with a notable amount of €2.87 million specifically allocated for companies. The project will support the development of new solutions through three phases: concept design, prototype development, and real-world testing. In 2026–2027, the 5 winning innovations will be piloted in Helsinki, Amsterdam, Athens, Ghent, and Guimarães, as well as 10 other European cities selected during the process.
Overwhelming interest in space-based services in cities around Europe
The City of Helsinki Innovation Company, Forum Virium Helsinki, a European leader in pre-commercial procurement, coordinates the 3.5-year-long project with partners: City of Amsterdam, District09 (City of Ghent, Belgium), Regional Development Fund Attica (Greece), Municipality of Guimarães (Portugal), the international smart city network Open & Agile Smart Cities (OASC), as well as the leading European cluster in the aerospace sector, Aerospace Valley (France).
“In our initial consultations last year, we noticed that cities have an overwhelming interest in the potential of space-based tools and services,” says Renske Martijnse-Hartikka, SPACE4Cities Coordinator from Forum Virium Helsinki. “This is a huge opportunity for the companies in the field, so we encourage them to apply, and look forward to seeing the innovative solutions they can come up with – be it in terms of technology, use cases or processes. Luckily we are able to fund up to 20 different suppliers in this first phase of the procurement”.
Pre-Commercial Procurement Boosts Innovation in Europe
The initiative uses a “pre-commercial procurement” approach, which focuses on funding research and development to create various innovative solutions that do not yet exist on the market, simultaneously. As opposed to the more traditional way, this allows the public sector to guide innovation directly towards their needs and address challenges that cannot be met by existing products or services. This approach holds significant promise for accelerating climate adaptation and emission reductions, addressing the urgent need for rapid and effective solutions.
Apply by 9 April 2025
- More information and application details can be found at space4cities.eu/call-for-tenders.
- Register for our Infowebinars on the Call for Tenders here!
SPACE4Cities, funded by Horizon Europe via the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA), aims to use European satellite applications to solve urban challenges and create more sustainable urban environments.

Additional information

Renske Martijnse-Hartikka
EU Project Manager
+358 40 683 7979
renske.martijnse-hartikka@forumvirium.fi

Ari Kaukiainen
Project Planner
+358 44 517 7119
ari.kaukiainen@forumvirium.fi