THE CAPACITIES PROJECT TO SUPPORT NATIONAL GOVERNMENT ENGAGEMENT AND STIMULATE TRANSNATIONAL COOPERATION: THE ROLE OF AMBASSADORS AS FACILITATORS FOR THE DISSEMINATION OF NATIONAL PLATFORMS

One of the five EU missions introduced by the Horizon Europe 2021-2027 programme aims to support 112 selected cities to become 'climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030', serving as an example for all European cities to achieve the European Green Deal goals by 2050.The CapaCITIES project has been funded by Horizon Europe to support the implementation of this 'Cities Mission' in 15 core European countries.Starting with the description of the main objectives and actions taken in the different national contexts, the project aims to shape a European environment favourable to urban transitions towards climate neutrality for national, regional and local authorities (multi-level governance system).This is pursued by initiating and strengthening change processes through the creation of national networks and governance structures and by providing dedicated support to public authorities to create favourable conditions and measures for cities to realise the mission.This manuscript focuses on the creation of national platform teams and ambassador networks within CapaCITIES.It describes alignment efforts to create a network system in individual countries that can reach out and make the multi-level governance system work together and create synergies to jointly address pathways towards urban climate neutrality.The main results obtained from this exercise applied to the Italian case, characterised by a low level of political endorsement, are presented and critically discussed.