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
CoR stakeholder consultation "Towards an integrated EU policy approach to support place-based innovation for the green and digital transition"
The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) is drafting an opinion "Towards an integrated EU policy approach to support place-based innovation for the green and digital transition". Interested stakeholders are invited for a thematic consultation and exchange of views on 3 October 2023 from 10:00-12:00 at the CoR premises. Registration is possible by 29 September.
European Hydrogen Observatory Relaunch
The Clean Hydrogen Partnership is organising an event for the launch of European Hydrogen Observatory, on 29 September 2023 from 10:00 - 12:00 CEST.
KEP 2.0 seminar: Implementation of the New European Innovation Agenda – What is in it for regions and cities?
The European Committee of the Regions and the European Commission are organising a seminar on "Implementation of the New European Innovation Agenda – What is in it for regions and cities?" in the framework of their Knowledge Exchange Platform (KEP 2.0). The event will take place on 28 September from 14:30-18:00 in-person in Brussels, with ERRIN Director Pirita Lindholm as one of the speakers.
REMOBILISE Webinar: "Discovering the REMOBILISE Mobility Ecosystem"
Join the REMOBILISE webinar to explore the future of mobility and innovative solutions. Learn from expert mobility clusters about key trends and challenges in Materials, Power Electronics, Hydrogen, Smart Cities and Batteries ecosystems.
European Mobility Week 2023
From 16 to 22 September, the European Commission is organising EUROPEANMOBILITYWEEK, the leading awareness-raising campaign on sustainable urban mobility, and calling on cities in Europe and beyond to get involved.
Matchmaking Event for territories interested to become Regional Innovation Valleys
On 12 September 2023, the Commission is organising an online matchmaking event for territories interested in becoming RIVs. It aims at creating opportunities for participants to meet and connect with a view of responding to the RIVs call for expression interest by 18 September 2023 and/or finding partners for applications to RIVs calls for proposals under Horizon Europe and I3 Instrument by 17 October 2023.
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
ERRIN welcomes new network Chairs
The ERRIN Management Board has appointed three co-chairs to the network. The three postholders will work together as a troika to guide the network in a collaborative manner in the period of 2024-2025.
26 additional cities selected to join the NetZeroCities Pilot Cities Programme
The NetZeroCities project, in which ERRIN is a partner, has selected 26 additional cities from 16 countries to take part in its Pilot Cities Programme. ERRIN is delighted to note that 12 cities from ERRIN member regions have been chosen, including Riga and Lyon, both supported by ERRIN’s NetZeroCities Climate Neutral Cities Advisors.
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.
Exploring Synergies between European Partnerships and EU Missions – Mutual Learning Event
ERRIN and the TRAMI project are organising a Mutual Learning Event aiming to explore synergies between European Partnerships and EU Missions. The event will take place on Wednesday 7 February from 9:00 to 12:00 (CET) at the NCBR Brussels Office, Rue Belliard 40, Brussels.
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.
Latest Updates
- By Daniele Ruggiano
Workshop on regional policies to promote the adoption of innovation by public administrations
The EU project Prepare brings together four regions that are interacting with the local ecosystems to design novel policies that promote demand-driven co-creation for the benefit of local public services, SMEs and citizens. The aim is to help unlock the potential of innovation procurement to turn regional needs into opportunities. A workshop with thematic insights, resources and best practices will take place on 27 June from 9:00-12:30 in Brussels.
- By Daniele Ruggiano
Future of the EU Missions in the FP10 & Launch of the Mission Playbook
The TRAMI Project, cordially invites you to join an inspiring discussion on the future of the EU Missions and the launch of the TRAMI Mission Playbook. The event will be held in NCBR Office in Brussels (Rue Belliard 40, Brussels, 5th Floor) on 25 June, 13:00–16:00.
- By Heidi Johansson
Towards a research agenda for the EU Mission on Climate-neutral and Smart Cities
Researchers who have actively worked with Pilot Cities or Mission Cities within the frame of the EU Mission on 100 Climate-neutral and Smart Cities by 2030 are invited to join a collaborative event geared towards advancing research in the Cities Mission. The event aims to develop and foster a robust network of universities and research institutions actively engaged in this endeavour while allowing participants to learn more about the NetZeroCities project and the Mission Cities and potentially develop shared research outputs. The event will be organised on 25 June in Valencia, Spain.
- By Heidi Johansson
Cities Mission Conference 2024
The third annual conference for the Mission on Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities will be held in Valencia, Spain, on 25-26 June 2024. The European Commission and NetZeroCities invite political representatives and practitioners from the 112 Mission Cities to celebrate the Mission’s progress and to share valuable insights, experiences, and inspiration.
- By Valentina Srbuljevic
EuroINNOWorkshop&Aperitif - "Veneto Data Platform"
VENETO DATA PLATFORM - Collection, analysis, and use of data for managing cities and territories to provide better services to citizens. The event will take place in Brussels on 24 June, 16:30-19:00.
- By Gianpiero Petruzziello
ERRIN Spring AGM 2024
ERRIN’s 2024 Spring Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on 20 June from 15:00 to 17:15 CEST, followed by networking drinks until 19:00. This year, the event will be held in person at Scotland House (Scotland Europa, Rdpt Robert Schuman 6, 1040 Bruxelles).