Every city has questions to ask and challenges to overcome. The Cities Helpdesk is the new entry point to EU support, helping cities navigate available opportunities, and find the knowledge, funding and connections they need.
Available in all EU languages, the service offers personalised, human-led support to help cities identify practical next steps and find the resources most relevant to their needs. It is designed to make it easier for cities — especially small and medium-sized urban areas — to navigate the wide range of EU initiatives and support available.
The Helpdesk provides three main types of support:
- Knowledge support: helping cities find relevant tools, resources, case studies and examples from across Europe;
- Funding support: guiding cities towards EU funding opportunities and official information on eligibility and application requirements;
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Matchmaking support: connecting cities with peers, networks, partners and expertise to help address shared challenges.
A key feature of the EU Agenda for Cities, the Cities Helpdesk is implemented by the European Urban Initiative. Hosted on Portico and accessible through the EU Cities Portal, it offers cities a single entry point to the wider EU urban support landscape.
The service officially launches during the European Week of Regions and Cities on 14 October 2026.
Cities can submit questions in any EU language via Portico, whether they are looking for examples of affordable housing strategies, exploring funding for climate adaptation projects, or seeking to connect with other cities facing similar issues.
With one clear access point to tailored guidance and relevant information, the Cities Helpdesk will help cities spend less time searching and more time moving forward.
