Working Group Leaders
Representatives of Brussels-based offices leading the work of the Smart Cities Working Group.
Smart Cities
The objective of the Working Group is to act as a platform to offer early information on priorities and funding opportunities linked to Smart Cities, with a focus on the EU Mission on 100 climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030. The WG aims to facilitate sharing of experiences and support matchmaking to develop new partnerships and projects. The WG targets the smart city topic from an integrated and holistic approach, addressing issues such as citizen engagement, data-driven policy and smart governance models, while exploring synergies between the areas linked to smart cities as addressed by the ERRIN WGs on Energy and Climate Change, Transport and ICT.
ERRIN Contact
Mission on 100 climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030
The Smart Cities WG has taken an active role in shaping the Mission on 100 climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030 - one of the five mission areas under Horizon Europe - and is closely following the implementation of the mission. Visit our dedicated Cities Mission page to learn more about our work on this.
Previous Related ERRIN Working Group Meetings
Artificial Intelligence related strategies at local and regional level – ICT WG Meeting
In December 2023, the Council and the European Parliament reached a political agreement on the AI Act, setting out rules for the development and usage of AI in Europe. With AI's growing importance
Policy & Smart Specialisation WGs meeting: Widening in FP10 and impact on cohesion policy post-2027
The topic of widening gathers high attention in the discussions around the next European Framework Programme for R&I, raising questions with the potential to influence not only the Widening sub-
Policy WG meeting: Role of EU Missions in FP10
ERRIN has been closely involved in the design and implementation of the EU Missions since their inception. Missions remain one of the network's priorities and were one of the four main areas of focus
WG Related Events
ERRIN Intro Coffee
The ERRIN Secretariat team is pleased to invite you to the ERRIN Intro Coffee, aiming to offer a brief, to-the-point introduction to ERRIN and its services, as well as facilitate networking between members. We especially encourage new network members and colleagues to take part, but all interested members are welcome. Join us in person at ERRIN on 19 April!
NZC Open Call for Twin Cities Cohort 2: Information session
NetZeroCities is hosting an information session on their Call for Twin Cities for prospective applicants on 18 April from 14:00-15:15. This information webinar will provide guidance and support to prospective Twin City applicants on applying to the Call for Twin Cities Cohort 2 and offer a space for applicants to have their questions answered and provide an overview of the Twinning Learning Programme.
WCEF 2024 accelerator session: Inspiring best practices from a circular hub in Northern Netherlands
Chemport Europe, the provinces of Groningen and Friesland, the Municipality of Groningen, hubs Circulair Groningen and Circular Friesland, Groningen Seaports, Greenwise Circular Plastics, and Holland Circular Hotspot, collaboratively organise an official WCEF2024 accelerator session on the northern Netherlands’ bottom-up, regional approach towards circularity, illustrated by best practices in plastics, textile and construction on 18 April from 13:00-14:30 at the House of the Dutch Provinces.
NEB Task Force Satellite Event: Regions & Cities paving the future of the NEB
ERRIN New European Bauhaus Task Force is organising a NEB Festival Satellite event on the role of regions and cities in shaping the future of the NEB on 16 April from 10:00-12:00. The event will be an opportunity to present the key findings and recommendations from ERRIN members' direct experience, stressing the crucial role of regions in the coherent planning and successful implementation of the New European Bauhaus.
Bridging the Gap between the EU's 2040 Climate Goals and the Shortage of Skilled Labour – Towards Climate Neutral and Smart Cities
As the EU sets ambitious climate targets for 2040 and aims for climate neutrality by 2050, the demand for a skilled workforce in Europe becomes increasingly urgent. At this event, we will explore the solutions U!REKA and its partner network can offer to support the EU in achieving its climate objectives while addressing skills shortages across the Union. The event will take place at Helsinki's EU Office in Brussels, 14 April 18:00-20:00.
The Role of Art in the NEB-inspired Urban Transition
The CrAFT project is hosting an event looking at the role of art as a powerful tool for engaging the public in conversations about advancing our cities. A panel of experts drawn from diverse backgrounds will explore how art and creativity can effectively convey the impact of innovation in physical spaces – platforms – that the city would manage. How should such a space look and function, and what are some examples of good practice?
WG Documents
ERRIN Year in review 2022
The ERRIN Year in review 2022 is out! Read the report to see the numerous activities ERRIN and its members have been involved in throughout the year.
Letter on Cities' Concerns: Mission on Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities
The Smart Cities WG leaders developed a letter directed towards the Mission Manager and the Mission Secretariat of the Mission on Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities, as a follow-up from the Smart Cities WG meeting on the Cities Mission and the Expression of Interest in November 2021.
Handbook on implementation and adoption barriers of urban living labs developing nature-based solutions
Developing Urban Living Labs is a relatively novel approach in urban areas, and consequently, there are many challenges and barriers that cities face during ULL adoption. This handbook, developed by the UNaLab project, aims to identify and explore some common barriers to the adoption of Urban Living Labs, and provide cities with a tool and an understanding of how to strategically address these barriers.
ERRIN Input to the City Mission Implementation Plan
Please find attached ERRIN's input to the Implementation Plan of the Mission on climate-neutral and smart cities.
ERRIN Contribution to the City Mission Interim Report and the Green Deal Call 1.2
Please find attached ERRIN's contribution to the interim report of the Mission on Climate Neutral and Smart Cities and the Green Deal Call 1.2.
Report by the Mission Board: 100 climate neutral cities by 2030 - by and for the citizens
The latest version of the interim report by the Mission Board on Climate Neutral and Smart Cities.
WG Related Content
Empowering Innovation: Overview of Public Engagement in Research & Innovation
DG RTD has recently released a thematic report titled "Overview of Public Engagement in Research & Innovation", which provides an introductory overview of Public Engagement in Research and Innovation in Europe. The document aims to inspire and help public actors and policymakers to promote and support public engagement.
Express your interest in the EU Missions and New European Bauhaus Calls 2024
The European Commission has launched new calls for proposals to support research and innovation for its five EU Missions and the New European Bauhaus (NEB). ERRIN encourages all members and their stakeholders to express interest in the EU Missions and NEB calls through the ERRIN Project Development Tool (PDT).
Feedback opportunity for Horizon Europe work programme 2025
The European Commission opened an opportunity to provide input for the development of the Horizon Europe ‘main’ work programme 2025. Submitted responses will contribute to the co-design of the work programme 2025, covering all six clusters, research infrastructures, European innovation ecosystems, the five EU Missions and the New European Bauhaus facility. The deadline for feedback is 6 May 2024 midday, CEST.
Mobility Transition Pathway: Open call for Stakeholders' Pledges to drive green and digital transition
The European Commission has opened an online call, inviting stakeholders from various sectors to submit pledges aligned with the Mobility Transition Pathway. This inclusive approach welcomes participation from individual companies, business associations, social partners, NGOs, and local authorities.
The Cities Mission Platform extends its support to all European cities
The Cities Mission Platform, supporting the work of the 112 Mission Cities towards climate neutrality, is now extending part of its support to any European city aiming to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 at the latest. Through this programme, cities across Europe will be able to learn from the approaches implemented by Mission Cities, engage in online and in-person city-to-city exchanges at the EU and national level, and gain access to the online Mission Portal and its resources. To better tailor the programme to the needs of cities, the platform has developed a needs-assessment survey that…
The European Capital of Innovation Awards
In 2024, the European Innovation Council is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the European Capital of Innovation Awards. The competition rewards those European cities that are courageous enough to open their governance practices to experimentation and push the boundaries of technology for the benefit of their citizens. In addition to the monetary reward, the prize brings high visibility in the form of renewed public interest and increased media coverage. The deadline for submission is 18 June 2024, 17:00.
Latest Updates
- By Astrid Hannes
Input for the candidate Partnership on Social Transformations and Resilience
ERRIN is inviting members to contribute input to the candidate Horizon Europe Partnership on Social Transformation and Resilience and the R&I topics that should be addressed by the partnership by 14 June. The four predefined objectives for this new Partnership are social protection and essential services, future of work, education and skills and a fair transition towards climate neutrality.
- By Ewa Chomicz
Showcase your EU-funded project at the ERA Conference on 18-19 September 2024
Would you like to showcase your EU-funded project to an audience of key European stakeholders? In preparation for the high-level ERA Conference on 18-19 September 2024, INSPIRING ERA is looking for innovative and impactful projects that have made significant contributions to the European Research Area. Call for proposals is open until 7 June.
- By Aki Ishiwa
Cohesion policy post-2027 - letter from regions to President Von der Leyen - support by 30 May
A letter was addressed last week to Ursula von der Leyen with the support of 111 European regions, ERRIN and CPMR, requesting a meeting with the aim of defending the future of the cohesion policy. Given the wish of other regions to adhere, the letter is planned to be resent at the end of this week - interested regions are invited to provide their logos by Thursday 30 May.
- By Daniele Ruggiano
Call for Speakers | Workshop on regional policies to promote the adoption of innovation by public administrations.
The EU project PREPARE is looking for speakers with expertise on instruments like Pre-Commercial Procurement (PCP) and/or Open Innovation to foster collaboration between public procurers and innovative companies following demand-driven approaches. Those with experience or interest in incorporating procurement of innovation policies in Smart Specialisation Strategies are also invited to contribute. The event will take place on 27 June, 09:00-12:30, in Brussels.
- By Ewa Chomicz
ERRIN two-page input on FP10 for the attention of the Expert Group
As the work towards the next EU Framework Programme for R&I (FP10) continues, ERRIN is pleased to share its two-page input for the attention of the Expert Group on the interim evaluation of Horizon Europe. The document is a concise compilation of the reflections on FP10 done at ERRIN so far, highlighting topics of key importance. Work on a series of broader input papers is underway.
- By Central Denmark EU office
Seeking Inspiration and Collaboration for Improving Public Transport Procurement and integration of multi-modal transport services into a unified system in Central Denmark
Collaboration and project opportunities for Improving Public Transport Procurement and integration of multi-modal transport solutions.