The Driving Urban Transitions is an co-funded partnership, bringing together private and public stakeholders in the research and innovation ecosystems. The DUT partnership incorporates all urban stakeholders (local authorities, municipalities, business and citizens) to co-create innovative, systemic and people-centric approaches, tools, methods and services in support of urban transformative transitions.

CET Partnership aims to achieve this through annual calls addressing three transition pathways, further divided in three themes:

• Circular Urban Economies (CUE)
  • Adaptive reuse of existing urban structures and spaces
  • Innovative maintenance of urban green and blue spaces
  • Rethinking urban production for circular and resilient cities
• Positive Energy Districts (PED)
  • Adaptive reuse of existing urban structures and spaces
  • PED solutions in private housing across different urban contexts
  • Sustainable PEDs, flexibility in energy systems, and integrated technologies
• 15-Minute City (15mC)
  • Cross-cutting topic: Adaptive reuse of existing urban structures and spaces
  • Align ambitions for mobility transitions across sectors
  • Nurture neighbourhood economies – activate innovation in local everyday offers

A co-funded partnership: participation in Flanders

There are two active Flemish participating members in the DUT call: Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship (VLAIO) and the Fund for Scientific Research (FWO). 

VLAIO

For consortia applying through VLAIO, more information can be found on the official webpage. Applications can include a research project, a development project or a PILBO application.

PILBO has various requirements and funding characteristics:

• In case a Flemish local government wishes to apply, at least one Flemish company has to be part of the consortium
• no more than 70% of the project budget can go to one partner

It is highly advised to contact VLAIO to ensure project funding eligibility (see contact details below).

FWO

For consortia applying through FWO, more information can be found on the official webpage. Applications can include fundamental research ("FO") and strategic basic research ("SBO").

A project coordinator can only apply for one DUT project as coordinator. Project applicants can only join a maximum of two different DUT projects/consortia.

It is highly advised to contact FWO to ensure project funding eligibility (see contact details below).

Key documents

• Driving Urban Transitions Partnership 2025 Roadmap 
• DUT Partnership information for participants
• 2026 call for proposals

Contact

• DUT Partnership call secretariat
• Transition Pathway coordinators for questions related to the DUT partnership pathways:
  • CUE coordinator Björn Wallsten & Ann Maudsley
  • PED coordinator Christop Gollner
  • 15mC coordinator Maximilian Jäger
• VLAIO contact person for questions related to Flemish participation of companies and public governments:
  • Veerle Desmet (+32 (0)2 432 43 02)
• FWO contact persons for questions related to Flemish participation of researchers and research institutions:
  • Toon Monbaliu (+32 (0)2 550 15 70) - fundamental research
  • Kristien Peeters (+32 (0)2 550 15 95) - strategic basic research