ICLEI Europe project receives support from Google.org for government innovation

Freiburg, Germany, 15 September 2026

Today, ICLEI Europe has been announced as a recipient of the $30 million Google.org Impact Challenge: AI for Government Innovation to support organisations building AI tools for public services. The funding from Google.org has been given to 15 nonprofits, social enterprises and academic institutions around the world that are working directly with governments to use AI to improve public services for communities, from everyday essential services to complex societal challenges. Organisations will also take part in a dedicated Google.org Accelerator, receiving pro bono support from Google engineers and AI experts to build human-centred AI tools. Google.org is excited to support ICLEI Europe as it leverages AI to drive societal impact for communities, and plans to continue funding meaningful initiatives that exemplify AI's ability to transform how public services function for social good.

"This support from Google.org allows us to develop SUN4U 2.0, an extension of SUN4U developed under the ICLEI Action Fund with support from Google.org, and turn a platform that municipalities and energy agencies already trust into an AI supported tool capable of reaching the households that need it most in a rapid and efficient way," said Ruud Schuthof, Deputy Regional Director, ICLEI Europe. "Energy poverty cannot simply be solved by a technical solution. It requires institutional capacity, community trust and the right tools working together, and that is exactly what SUN4U 2.0 is built to provide."

"AI holds incredible potential to transform public services, but there is often a gap between promise and practice,” said Maggie Johnson, Global Head of Google.org. “By equipping the 15 selected organizations with funding and pro bono support from Google's own AI experts, we are empowering the people closest to the problem to show what is truly possible. Together, we can ensure that AI makes a profound, positive difference in the everyday lives of communities worldwide."

With this support, ICLEI Europe is scaling SUN4U 2.0, led by ICLEI Europe and Federesco in partnership with ANCI LAZIO, EnviPark, ANEA as government partners in the pilot regions, an AI-powered public energy service copilot developed with technical lead Federesco. Built on SUN4U 1.0, a platform already used by more than 900 people and 120 renewable energy community groups across Italy, SUN4U 2.0 adds generative and agentic AI to help municipalities and energy agencies identify vulnerable households, expand renewable energy communities and tackle energy poverty at scale. For more information about ICLEI Europe's work, visit iclei-europe.org

"Our role has always been to make renewable energy communities practical for local administrations, not just possible on paper," said Patrick Maurelli, Head of International Projects - FEDERESCO. "Through SUN4U 2.0, we can move from providing information and networking to enabling automated action at scale, while keeping human oversight at the centre of every relevant decision."

About ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability: ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability is a global network of more than 2,500 local and regional governments committed to sustainable urban development. Active in 125 countries, we influence sustainability policy and drive local action for low emission, nature-based, equitable, resilient and circular development. ICLEI Europe provides members in Europe, the Middle East and West Asia with a voice on European and international stages, a platform to connect with peers, and tools to drive positive environmental, economic and social change. ICLEI Europe supports data-driven action to enable cities to move faster on their sustainability agendas.

About Federesco: Federesco is the Italian association of energy service companies (ESCOs) and serves as technical lead for SUN4U 2.0, responsible for developing, operating and maintaining the platform.

About Google.org: Google.org is Google's philanthropy, applying Google’s innovation, research, and resources to promote progress and expand opportunity for everyone

Press contact
Valeria Eirin
Senior Officer, Media and Stakeholder Partnerships  
valeria.eirin@iclei.org