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.
Future Related ERRIN Working Group Meetings
Cities Mission – focus on sustainable urban mobility
The meeting organised by the Transport and the Smart Cities WGs will focus on the proposed mobility strategies in the Climate Cities Contracts and the measures needed to reduce emissions.
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
KEP 2.0 workshop - Building Synergies for Successful Green and Digital Transitions – The Way Ahead
The European Committee of the Regions and the European Commission are organising the first Knowledge Exchange Platform (KEP) event of the year. The workshop will take place on 22 June 2022, in person in Brussels. ERRIN Director Pirita Lindholm will moderate one of the two discussion sessions on "Ongoing or future strategies and initiatives".
MOSAIC Workshop - Integrating the private sector into the Cities Mission
The MOSAIC project, in which ERRIN is partner, is organising its first Community of Practice workshop. The event will run from 09:30 - 13:00 CEST on Tuesday 14 June at ERRIN Office in Brussels and will be followed by a networking lunch. Pilot Cities, Replicator Cities and the wider Community of Practice, as well as Brussels-based colleagues, are welcome to attend.
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.
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
A look forward: Launching ERRIN reflections on regional dimension in R&I post-2027
Autumn 2023 marked the start of ERRIN’s targeted reflections on regional dimension in research and innovation in the new EU Multiannual Financial Framework post-2027, relating to the next EU Framework Programme for R&I (FP10) and future cohesion policy. We are offering a recap of our activities so far, first messages and planned next steps.
Management Board elections 2023 – results
Following the call for nominations for ERRIN Management Board held between 20 September and 5 October, we are happy to announce the nominated Management Board members. The five nominees will be approved as new Management Board members at the ERRIN Extraordinary General Meeting on 16 November.
Release of LORDIMAS, a digital maturity assessment tool for Regions and Cities
During the European Week of Regions and Cities 2023, a dedicated session was organised to launch LORDIMAS, a digital maturity assessment helping local and regional governments to understand where they are in their digital transformation journey. The tool is now accessible online.
ERRIN at the EWRC 2023
The European Week of Cities and Regions (EWRC) has come to an end. This year’s edition has been particularly rich in ERRIN’s involvement, with the Secretariat co-organising four events, promoting projects, and the Working Group Leaders participating in several panel discussions.
Ten European cities awarded with the EU Mission Cities Label
On 12 October, the European Commission awarded the first ten European cities with the Label of ‘EU Mission Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities’ for their plans to achieve climate-neutrality by 2030. The EU Mission Label symbolises a crucial milestone, not only recognising the comprehensive plans of these cities to achieve climate neutrality by 2030 but also serves as a catalyst for facilitating access to both public and private funding to support these ambitious goals.
Multi-stakeholder engagement showcases the path to climate neutrality at European Week of Regions and Cities
On 10 October, a collaborative and interactive event was jointly hosted by ERRIN, MOSAIC and the European Commission during the European Week of Regions and Cities. This session brought together experts and stakeholders from across Europe to explore the significant role of multi-stakeholder engagement in advancing the journey towards climate neutrality for European cities.
Latest Updates
- By Ewa Chomicz
ERRIN is looking for a Climate Neutral Cities Advisor (deadline: 29 July)
ERRIN is looking for a Climate Neutral Cities Advisor to join its Secretariat! The successful candidate will work to ensure the delivery of the Horizon Europe Mission on Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by taking part in the activities of the NetZeroCities project. The deadline to apply is 29 July.
- By Gianpiero Petruzziello
Follow up on Knowledge Exchange Platform (KEP 2.0) workshop
The European Committee of the Regions and the European Commission DG RTD held on 22 June in Brussels the first Knowledge Exchange Platform (KEP) event of the year, focusing on the way ahead for building synergies for successful green and digital transitions. ERRIN Director Pirita Lindholm moderated the panel discussion on ‘ongoing and future strategies and initiatives’.
- By Ewa Chomicz
DT4REGIONS Platform and Award launched
As of 1 July 2022, the first version of the DT4REGIONS Platform to enable the development of AI and Big Data solutions for regional and local public administrations will be officially released. At the same time, the DT4REGIONS Award for the best solution for digital transformation based on AI and Big Data currently in use by public administration in Europe will be launched.
- By Gianpiero Petruzziello
NetZeroCities - Call for Pilot Cities
NetZeroCities, project in which ERRIN is a partner, is launching a Call for Pilot Cities on 5 September 2022. The NZC Pilot Cities programme will test and implement innovative approaches to rapid decabornisation over a two-year period. Cities interested in this call can participate in the upcoming webinars on 4 July and 5 September.
- By Gianpiero Petruzziello
Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission Kick-off event
ERRIN participated on 13 June in the Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission Kick-Off Event together with representatives of the 112 selected Mission Cities, including over 65 ERRIN members, and the NetZeroCities project partners. The event offered an excellent opportunity for the cities, the project and the European Commission to come together and jointly kick off the journey towards climate neutrality.
- By Teresa Vio
ERRIN is looking for a Climate Neutral Cities Advisor (deadline: 15 June)
ERRIN is looking for a Climate Neutral Cities Advisor to join its Secretariat! The successful candidate will work to ensure the delivery of the Horizon Europe Mission on climate-neutral and smart cities by taking part in the activities of the NetZeroCities project. The deadline to apply is 15 June.