Objective
SPHERE integrates Socio-technical systems design, PED digital twins, Holistic governance, Evidence-based deployment, Replication, and Evaluation into a coherent methodological approach for the Deployment of Positive Energy Districts. Despite the rapid growth of Urban and Local Digital Twins supporting PED planning and operation, key challenges remain: i) limited real-time operational use; ii) poor interoperability and fragmented data integration; iii) missing governance and methodological foundations for scaling; iv) institutional silos and unclear cost–benefit structures slowing adoption; v) urban heterogeneity limiting scalability and replication; vi) unclear business models and value capture for digital twins.
The SPHERE project responds to these challenges via a socio-technical methodological approach, recognizing that the success of Deployments of PEDs depends on the co-evolution of technical systems with social, organizational, governance, and business contexts. Accordingly, SPHERE shifts from isolated, technology-driven PED pilots towards PEDs as socio-technical systems capable of managing the full complexity of deployment as inclusive, governance-ready, economically viable, and replicable solutions. Interoperable Digital Twins, AI-enabled services, federated data governance, and Stakeholder-based Impact Scoring are positioned as mutually reinforcing components, while social, organizational, and cultural dimensions are embedded as structural design parameters shaping modelling, institutional coordination, investment strategies, and decision-support processes from the outset.
SPHERE is coordinated by City of Aarhus to strenghten city-led deployment, with the Technical University of Denmark as technical coordinator. Demonstrated in Aarhus, Zagreb, Athens, and Manchester, Digital Twin–enabled PED solutions are integrated into municipal workflows and local planning frameworks, delivering a scalable and replicable model for inclusive, climate-neutral districts.
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.2.5 - Climate, Energy and Mobility
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-IA - HORIZON Innovation Actions
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-CL5-2026-02
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
8100 Arhus C
Denmark
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Participants (15)
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2800 Kongens Lyngby
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The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
1210 Wien
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The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
79098 FREIBURG IM BREISGAU
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
1050 Bruxelles / Brussel
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157 72 ATHINA
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1000 BRUXELLES
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10781 BERLIN
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
10789 Berlin
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
1010 Wien
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
118 54 ATHINA
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10000 Zagreb
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
10 000 Zagreb
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M60 2LA Manchester
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00100 Helsinki
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WC2H 9JQ London
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