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
New European Bauhaus Festival: Sustainable and Inclusive City Districts
As a proud part of the the New European Bauhaus Festival, Stockholm Region EU Office presents the official side event together with the Stockholm Green Innovation District (SGID): "How to shape a sustainable and inclusive city district with innovative and climate neutral solutions by and for citizens".
Designing fruitful cooperation for shaping the New European Bauhaus
The Hauts-de-France Region, Lille Metropole, the Silesian Voivodship and the Region of Brussels capital are oganising the event "Designing fruitful cooperation for shaping the New European Bauhaus" in Brussels on 9 - 10 June during the NEB festival.
Circular buildings – constructing differently and sustainably
Join 'Circular buildings – constructing differently and sustainably' event to hear best practices from the Nordic capitals and capital regions and to discuss challenges related to circular buildings and construction as well as how to close building material loops by reusing, repairing and recycling materials. The event is an official #EUGreenWeek partner event.
Improving air quality together. LIFE IP PrepAIR: project’s achievements and main results
The international conference "Improving air quality together" will be organised by the Emilia-Romagna Region on 31 May to present the main LIFE IP PrepAIR project’s achievements and results. The LIFE IP PrepAIR project aims to improve the air quality in the Po Valley, Northern Italy, and in Slovenia. Participation in the event is possible in person and online.
3rd ERA CoBioTech Hub Meeting
During its final ERA CoBioTech Hub Meeting, which will take place as a virtual conference on 19 May 2022, ERA CoBioTech gathers the diverse actors of the new European Partnerships and in the fields of biotechnology, bioeconomy, life sciences and other innovative technologies.
EU Missions Info Days
The European Commission has announced dedicated Info-Days for the EU Missions to be held virtually on 17 and 18 May 2022. The event will provide prospective applicants with specific information on the new Missions’ Work Programme calls, funding opportunities and timelines.
WG Documents
Proposal for the Driving Urban Transitions Partnership
Attached is the approved concept for the Driving Urban Transitions Partnership.
ERRIN Input to the Driving Urban Transitions Partnership Consultation
ERRIN provided input to the public consultation to shape the European Partnership on Driving Urban Transitions.
ERRIN Contribution to the Mission on Climate Neutral and Smart Cities
Please find attached ERRIN's contribution to the Mission on Climate Neutral and Smart Cities.
ERRIN Draft Contribution to the Mission on Climate Neutral Cities
Please find attached ERRIN's first draft contribution to the Mission on Climate Neutral Cities.
Policy Recommendations - Regional R&I Ecosystems: Contributing to a competitive Europe
Going towards FP9, several reports - including the Lamy report - underlined the necessity to address the challenge of turning research knowledge into innovation and growth.
WG Related Content
Third NetZeroCities call for Pilot Cities now open!
NetZeroCities has opened its third and final call for cities to join the two-year Pilot Cities Programme. The call is open only to Mission Cities who are not yet part of the Pilot Cities Programme. The deadline for applications is 18 March 2024.
Innovation Fund calls to drive net-zero technologies open until April 2024
With a budget of €4 billion, the Commission has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting innovative projects that contribute to the EU’s green transition goals. The Innovation Fund 2023 calls covering sectors including decarbonisation, hydrogen, cleantech manufacturing, and maritime and energy-intensive industries are open until 9 April 2024, 17:00 (CET).
Scalable Cities Action Grant: third call for proposals open
The third call for proposals of the Scalable Cities Action Grant is open until the end of January 2024. The grant aims to financially support cities and ad-hoc partnerships that wish to replicate measures that were successfully implemented through Smart Cities and Communities projects to facilitate the transition towards climate neutrality.
The European Heritage Hub project is looking for good practices
The European Heritage Hub is collecting good practices to share throughout Europe and beyond! Administrations of a city or region are asked to submit highlights of their work in heritage in the context of the ‘triple transformation ’ – green, digital and social – of our society. Ten practices will be selected for publication and promotion through the European Heritage Hub. Cities whose good practices are selected also get the opportunity to host a peer learning visit with a delegation of 20 participants funded by the project (3 peer learning visits will take place between Q2 2024 and Q1 2025).
Available support to regions in EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change
On 12 December 2023, the ERRIN Adaptation Task Force organised a hybrid event providing an overview of the available financial and technical support for regions and communities under the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change. Here is a summary of the opportunities provided within three initiatives running under the Mission Adaptation.
ERRIN end of year reception - 2023 Highlights
On 7 December, ERRIN celebrated the network’s achievements in 2023. Following an engaging meeting with leaders of our 15 Working Groups, all ERRIN members were invited to a cocktail reception featuring a keynote from Markus Schulte, Head of Cabinet of Iliana Ivanova, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth. Check out ERRIN 2023 highlights in a 3-minute video.
Latest Updates
- By Gianpiero Petruzziello
Survey on the Urban Agenda
During the Swedish EU Presidency 2023, the Swedish government will arrange and lead discussions between the EU Member States about the EU Urban Agenda. Cities and regions are invited to provide input on its implementation and development by 1 November 2022.
- By Ewa Chomicz
Call for regional examples for the ICT WG meeting on digital transformation of public services
The ERRIN ICT Working Group is looking for regional examples for its upcoming networking session on the digital transformation of public services in different thematic areas. The meeting will take place in person on 13 October from 16:00-19:00 in Brussels. The call for examples will be open until 4 October.
- By Teresa Vio
ERRIN is looking for a Climate Neutral Cities Advisor (deadline: 30 September)
ERRIN is looking for a Climate Neutral Cities Advisor to join its Secretariat! The successful candidate will be tasked with providing tailored support and advice to the mission cities in their journey towards climate neutrality by 2030 and connect cities with the NetZeroCities services and expertise. Apply by 30 September!
- By Francesca Pozzebon
Energy & Climate Change WG meeting on Sustainable Buildings - call for presentations
On Friday 30 September from 10:30-12:00, the Energy and Climate Change Working Group will host a hybrid event on the topic of Sustainable Buildings. A call for presentations to be presented during the meeting is now open until 25 September.
- By Ewa Chomicz
New members of the EU Missions Boards announced
Yesterday the European Commission announced 75 new top experts who will advise on the five EU Missions through serving on their Boards. ERRIN is thrilled that Françoise Guaspare from Île-de-France Europe, one of the Transport Working Group leaders, will join the Mission Board of the Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission.
- By Gianpiero Petruzziello
City of Vilvoorde (Belgium) is looking for international partners for LIFE-project
City of Vilvoorde (Belgium) is looking for international partners to implement a project answering call LIFE-2022-CET-ENERPOV – ‘Addressing building related interventions in vulnerable districts’