POSITIVE CITIES: Zero emission cities towards 2050

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A IPA Italy Albania Montenegro (South Adriatic)

Date of latest update: 2025-11-19

Description

Description (EN):

The main challenge of the programme area, at international level, is to reduce carbon emission and to improve energy efficiency in public sector through innovative practices and tools, thanks also to the adoption of EU rules on energy as for the New European Directive No. 1275 of 2024 - Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), known as the 'Green Homes Directive', part of the 'Fit for 55' package that aims at the energy and functional upgrading of the building stock with the goal of zero emissions by 2050. A vision also shared by the Municipalities through the “Covenant of Mayors” (www.eumayors.eu). POSITIVE CITIES project aims to establish a cross border network of cities that want to reduce energy consumption by 55% through the renovation of under performing buildings, with priority given to public buildings, in line with the new EU Directive and the new decarbonisation objectives. The project intends to focus on the energy regeneration/rehabilitation of public buildings in a first step and of private buildings in a second step, with the aim of gradually making entire cities of the programme area energy independent. The name 'Positive Cities' stands for the positive impact of zero-emission buildings on the society/economy/environment system. We propose the development of a project divided into three fundamental phases with the following main outputs: 1. Analysis of municipal public buildings and facilities, their functional status and energy demand, thanks to a JOINT AND SHARED ENERGY AUDIT; 2. Development of a POSITIVE CITIES COMMON MODEL and realization of a pilot project to transform an energy-intensive public building into a Zero Emission Building (ZEMB); 3. Definition of the subsequent steps to be implemented up to 2050 for the energy independence of an entire district or municipality through the implementation of an ACTION PLAN and establishing a long term network signing a MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING. The cross border approach will be based on the sharing of good practices in energy efficencu of public building in order to achieve the decarbonisation targets defined by the new European EPBD IV directive, thanks to the realization of the first ZEMBs example in the programme area. Project start date: 01/07/2025

Expected Achievements (EN):

This WP envisage the realization for each municipality involved of a full deep Energy Audit of public buildings to be conducted according to the EN 16247 regulation and coordinated by a Energy Diagnosis Manager, who will ensure compliance with 5 points: - Completeness; - Reliability: acquire real data; - Traceability: identify data sources, processing methods and working hypotheses assumed; - Utility: evaluate costs/benefits; - Verificability. The analysis will lead to the definition of the current energy requirement and to the definition of energy efficiency interventions useful for reducing the consumption of equivalent tons of oil and emissions of climate-altering gases into the atmosphere. The result is a joint shared document that include the new energy models which, compared with the previous one, will offer the possibility of estimating the savings achieved on energy vectors and the new behavior of the building in relation to the needs. This WP aims to create a Positive Cities Common Model (PCCM) that consists in a comprehensive framework to transform cities into zero-emission, sustainable, and resilient urban areas by 2050. The PCCM integrates key elements of energy efficiency, renewable energy, smart infrastructure, social inclusion and citizen engagement to create urban environments that contribute positively to the planet rather than merely minimizing harm. Each partner will realize a local PCCM linked to their territorial needs and framework and LP will make a joint common document . Before the realization of the PCCM it will be organized 4 living lab at local level to ensure the stakeholders engagement on the PCCM definition. Once the Energy Audit and the PCCM has been completed, the next step is to carry out the interventions included in the two documents. In our project only the LP has already identified the public building to be efficient and will carry out the necessary upgrading interventions . This can be considered a pilot action of our project and in fact, in order to share with the partnership the path taken ,the LP will organize an educational visit and n. 1 capacity building workshop with the specialized technicians and engineers to illustrate the operation and benefits of the intervention carried out. In addition, ideas and expressions of interest will be collected during the workshops from people who wish to join the network and a Memorandum of Understanding will be signed to establish a network of municipalities to promote POSITIVE CITIES.

Project outputs: Positive cities roadmap(EN)

Thematic information

Innovation capacity and awareness-raising Energy efficiency Waste and pollution

Priority: (VI-A_SA(I-A-M)_PA 2) A greener South Adriatic programme area, by promoting clean and fair energy transition, green and blue investment, the circular economy, climate adaptation and risk management

Priority specific objective: RSO2.1. Promoting energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO2 A greener, low-carbon transitioning towards a net zero carbon economy and resilient Europe by promoting clean and fair energy transition, green and blue investment, the circular economy, climate change mitigation and adaptation, risk prevention and management, and sustainable urban mobility

Type of intervention: 044 Energy efficiency renovation or energy efficiency measures regarding public infrastructure, demonstration projects and supporting measures

Partners (4)

Lead Partner: Comune di Mirabello Sannitico

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 937385885

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 00139710701 | comune.mirabellosanniticocb@legalmail.it (EN)

Department: N.A.

Address: Via Monteverde, 86010 Mirabello Sannitico, Italy

Department address: Via Monteverde, 86010 Mirabello Sannitico, Italy

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: https://www.comune.mirabellosannitico.cb.it/

Total budget: EUR 297 453.15

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 237 962.52

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 59 490.63

Comune di Noci

Name: Comune di Noci

Department: N.A.

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 82001750726 | 01164170720 | protocollo.comune.noci@pec.rupar.puglia.it (EN)

Address: Via G. Sansonetti, 70015 Noci , Italy

Department address: Via G. Sansonetti, 70015 Noci, Italy

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.comune.noci.ba.it

Total budget: EUR 150 393.60

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 120 314.88

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 30 078.72

GBER schemes / de minimis: GBER Article 20a

Bashkia Tirane

Name: Bashkia Tirane

Department: N.A.

Partner’s ID if not PIC: K11729002L | erion.veliaj@tirana.al (EN)

Address: Torre Drin , 10001 TIRANA AL , Albania

Department address: Torre Drin , 10001 TIRANA, Albania

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Total budget: EUR 163 800.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 139 230.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 24 570.00

GBER schemes / de minimis: GBER Article 20a

Opština Tuzi

Name: Opština Tuzi

Department: N.A.

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 895318537

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 026289988 | lejla.djokovic@tuzi.org.me (EN)

Address: Street 1, 81206 Tuzi, Montenegro

Department address: Street 1, 81206 Tuzi, Montenegro

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: https://tuzi.org.me/cg/naslovna/

Total budget: EUR 159 390.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 135 481.50

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 23 908.50

GBER schemes / de minimis: GBER Article 20a

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

Municipality of Noci

POSITIVE CITIES: Zero emission cities towards 2050

Partners and Projects info

Municipality of Tirana

POSITIVE CITIES: Zero emission cities towards 2050

Partners and Projects info

Municipality of Tuzi

POSITIVE CITIES: Zero emission cities towards 2050

Partners and Projects info

Municipality of Mirabello Sannitico

POSITIVE CITIES: Zero emission cities towards 2050

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): POSITIVE CITIES: Zero emission cities towards 2050

Project acronym: POSITIVE CITIES

Project ID: SA-0300366

Project start date: 2025-07-01

Project end date: 2027-12-31

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

LEC PROJECT- INTERREG IPA ITALY -ALBANIA-MONTENERGOR 2014-2020
LEC + PROJECT - IPA SOUTH ADRIATIC 21-27 SMALLSCALE CALL (ONGOING) (EN) | BOTH PROJECTS AIMED TO CONTRIBUTE TO IMPROVING ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY USAGE THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF A "LOCAL COMMUNITY OF ACTIVE ENERGY CONSUMERS" WHICH COOPERATES WITH MUNICIPALITIES (PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS), BY PROMOTING THE CREATION OF SUSTAINABLE MUNICIPALITIES MODELS, BASED ON LOCAL ACTIONS INSPIRED BY THE CHANGE IN THE EVERYDAY BEHAVIOR OF CITIZENS.
BOTH PROJECTS ARE IMPLEMENTED BY ALMOST THE SAME PARTNERSHIP (MIRABELLO SANNITICO, TIRANA AND TUZI MUNICIPALITIES). (EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 771 036.75

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 632 988.90

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 82.10%

Co-financing sources:

IPA/IPA II/IPA III: Amount, EUR 632 988.90. Co-financing rate, 82.10%.

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Infrastructure investments:

I3.1 - Zero Emission Building (ZEMB) - EUR 135 000.00 - country: Italia (IT), town: Mirabello Sannitico, street: Via Chiesa Matrice, 7, postal_code: 86010, Molise (ITF2), Campobasso (ITF22)

Deliverables:

Energy audit in Montenegro
Energy audit in Puglia
Energy audit in Albania
Joint shared energy audit report
Kick off meeting, info day and press conference in Mirabello Sannitico
POSITIVE CITIES Cross Border Info day in Tuzi
Dissemination toolkit
Project Communication and Media Strategy
N.1 cross border living lab in Noci
N.1 cross border living lab in Tuzi
n. 1 positive cities
model by LP
n. 1 positive cities
model by PP2 (TUZI)
n. 1 positive cities
model by PP3
(TIRANA)
n. 1 positive cities
model by PP4 (NOCI)
N.1 POSITIVE CITIES COMMON MODEL (PCCM)
Zero Emission Building (ZEMB) in Mirabello Sannitico
Capacity building and educational visit.
Action Plan
Memorandum of Understanding
Final video promoting project results

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EUStrategyAdriaticIonianRegion Pillar 3: Environmental Quality
Energy efficiency improvements projects directly contribute to this pillar, as they reduce carbon emissions and decrease the environmental footprint of public buildings.
Pillar 1: Blue Growth
While this pillar focuses on maritime and marine sectors, the energy transition associated with public buildings, particularly if renewable energy is integrated (e.g., solar panels, wind power), contributes to the overall regional goal of sustainable energy use.
Pillar 2: Connecting the Region (Energy Networks)
This pillar primarily addresses energy infrastructure and transport, but energy-efficient public buildings contribute to the region's energy efficiency goals.
The integration of public buildings into smarter, more resilient energy grids can help reduce overall energy demand in urban centers and improve energy security.
The project refer to the flagship initative "POWER NETWORKS AND MARKET FOR A GREEN ADRIATICIONIAN REGION" and the action "Digitalisation of the power system, smart grids, deployment of renewable energy sources".
Other The project refer to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the "post-Kyoto" negotiation, to the climate Conference in Paris - COP 21, December 2015 signed by 196 countries and to be ratified by 2020. Following Kyoto, the EU has issued the "20-20-20 climate-energy package" (Directive 2009/29/EC), valid from January 2013 until 2020.In 2014, the European Council re-determined the EU 2030 Climate-Energy objectives: reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and up to 40% the share of renewables, energy efficiency target of 27%. The Directive (EU) on the energy efficiency 2018/844 of 30 May confirms that all citizens have the right to consume, store and sell self-produced energy, by becoming active consumers.
Other The project refer to the new European directive n. 1275 of 2024 - EPBD (Energy performance of building directive), which is part of the “Fit for 55” package and aims at the energy and functional renovation of the building heritage with the objective of eliminating emissions by 2050.
Other POSITIVE CITIES aims at promoting energy efficiency with joint cross border initiatives based on the best practices developed by the Covenant of Mayors.
The European Green Deal is a package of policy initiatives, which aims to set the EU on the path to a green transition, with the ultimate goal of reaching climate neutrality by 2050.
POSITIVE CITIES is fully aligned with the overall strategy proposed into the European Green Deal.
In particular with pillars
- 2.1.2. Supplying clean, affordable and secure energy
“Energy efficiency must be prioritised” in order to reach climate objectives in 2030 and 2050 and he decarbonise at the lowest cost possible
- 2.1.4. Building and renovating in an energy and resource efficient way.
The “Energy efficiency first principle” must be implicit when it comes to building or renovating constructions, in order to save natural and financial resources
Energy Efficiency is also a pillar of the EU Energy Policy, in particular of the actions aimed at reducing the dependence from the Russian LNG.

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 083 - Strategies and action plans jointly developed, Measurement unit:

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 079 - Joint strategies and action plans taken up by organisations, Measurement unit:

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSAIR

EUSAIR Priority (Policy) area / Horizontal action:

EUSAIR Degree of compliance:

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A IPA Italy Albania Montenegro (South Adriatic)

Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme

2025-11-19

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

51 / 51 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

230 / 230 (100%)

Notes on the data

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POSITIVE CITIES: Zero emission cities towards 2050

Description

Thematic information

Partners (4)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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