We heard from mayors and city representatives who shared similar challenges – funding district heating, social housing, and household retrofitting projects – and had a common ask: long-term, structural support from a neutral platform such as the Climate City Capital Hub.
We heard the voices of public and private investors who reacted to cities presenting their projects to attract funds and private capital.
We heard from philanthropic foundations on what concessional capital can unlock when projects aren't yet commercially viable.
We also held many discussions with cities on proven successful blueprint models (district heating models, joint procurement models, sustainability bonds, and city funds, among others), with an eye on existing gaps and solutions to scale.
As Delphine Queniart, Capital Hub Director at BwB, noted:
"One of the biggest misconceptions cities have about private capital is that it follows ‘good ideas’ first. In reality, private capital usually follows:
low execution risk, clear governance, speed of deployment, and predictable returns. This is the disconnect the Capital Hub aims to address.”
Thank you to the organisers, speakers, and city representatives for such valuable exchanges. BwB and the Capital Hub team look forward to keeping this momentum going, helping cities turn good plans into funded, deliverable projects.