Climate-KIC

Europe’s leading climate innovation initiative

EIT Climate-KIC is a Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC), working to accelerate the transition to a zero-carbon, climate-resilient society. 

Supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, Climate-KIC identifies and supports innovation that helps society mitigate and adapt to climate change. Climate-KIC believes that a decarbonised, sustainable economy is not only necessary to prevent catastrophic climate change, but presents a wealth of opportunities for business and society.

Convening networks of expertise 

Climate-KIC brings together partners in the worlds of business, academia, and the public and non-profit sectors to create networks of expertise, through which innovative products, services and systems can be developed, brought to market and scaled-up for impact.

Through their convening power, EIT Climate-KIC brings together the most effective groups to create the innovation that can lead to systemic change.

Leveraging grants smartly and effectively

Climate-KIC identifies, sources and places public and private funds that stimulate innovation. They track progress and outcomes and draw out learning and insight so that our funding partners can effectively invest their resources for maximum impact.

By bringing together those with vision, with ideas, with low-carbon products and services, and with finance, Climate-KIC generates the critical mass needed to tackle climate change.

Developing people and capacity

EIT Climate-KIC runs a range of inspirational education programmes across Europe and online, for students, postgraduates and professionals. These programmes develop their participants’ skills and capacities, empowering them with up-to-date knowledge and best practice.

Catalysing innovation

Climate-KIC catalyses and nurtures innovation: from large corporations, research institutes and public bodies, through to start-ups and individual entrepreneurs. They encourage fresh new thinking from beyond the mainstream through initiatives like our 24-hour hackathon Climathon, or their cleantech ideas platform Climate Launchpad.

Climate-KIC’s incubator programme, Accelerator, gives seed funding, structure and assistance to start-ups and SMEs. They drive innovation in established organisations through a range of innovation programmes.

Latest news and articles

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At a high-level workshop in Washington, DC, leaders in finance, policy, science and other sectors came together to refine the Resilience Science Must-Knows, a set of insights drawn from the latest resilience research, and shape a shared path toward science-based action.

Zanskar’s silent echo: Can community tourism revive a Himalayan legacy?

Learn how HKH-ICE winner Heco - Himalayan Ecotourism is working with local communities in Zanskar to reclaim tourism, blend tradition and sustainability, and protect their cultural legacy.

The power of Community-Based Organisations: Investing in local solutions for lasting change

RAIN 1 winner Itanya Africa Group champions locally-led climate solutions through community-driven mindset shifts, regenerative farming practices, and trusted local influencers.

Introducing 19 innovations driving resilient agriculture in East Africa

Learn more about the RAIN 3 shortlisted candidates; innovative agricultural solutions across East Africa advancing resilience, sustainability, and community impact.

The songs of the forest: A symphony of nature, science, and the human spirit

Learn how Knowledge into Use Awards winner Sekola Adat uses plant music to connect Dayak tradition, science, and conservation in Borneo.