Brussels calls for ideas for making the city cooler

The City of Brussels has put out a call for ideas to cool the city, seeking project proposals that would make use of a €500,000 budget earmarked for this purpose.

The call is part of the capital’s goal of becoming climate-neutral and climate-resilient by 2050, and reducing CO₂ emissions by 55% by 2030.

“To achieve these targets, the annual call for projects encourages local stakeholders to work together creatively to build a sustainable city,” the city said in a statement.

“Heatwaves are becoming more frequent, and we want to make our public spaces more resilient,” said Brussels climate councillor Frederik Ceulemans.

“We’re looking for projects that create shade, introduce greenery as a natural air-conditioning system, or make smart use of water as a cooling element.

"Think of a neighbourhood vegetable garden with shaded areas, an educational rain garden or an innovative prototype that improves the living environment in the neighbourhood."

The call for projects is open to individual Brussels residents, committees, associations, local organisations or SMEs.

“In short, it's open to anyone with a good idea for the transition to a sustainable city,” said Ceulemans.

“Whether it’s a collective initiative in a courtyard, an artistic project with an educational slant or minor interventions in a block of buildings, all projects that contribute to cooling are welcome.”

Although the focus this year is on "cooling Brussels", the city emphasises that the ecological transition is continuing across all areas.

“Initiatives that contribute to other climate objectives, such as renovation, mobility, waste prevention or sustainable food, can of course also be submitted,” the city council added.

Applications can be submitted in two categories. In category one, the maximum grant is €10,000 unless the project is carried out by fewer than three individuals, in which case the maximum is €500.

In category two, only businesses and associations that have been in existence for at least two years may apply for a grant, which can range from €10,000 to €40,000.

Last year, €456,298 of the €500,000 budget was awarded. The call runs until 31 August.