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
Information session - Learn about the DS4SSCC Call for Pilots
This online Info Session will allow participants to get introduced to the overall framework of the DS4SSCC Call for Pilots, the pilots support activities as well as the monitoring of their progress and impact. The session will conclude with a Q&A session. The webinar will take place on 12 June, 10:30-12:00.
Energy communities – New business models for sustainable housing
Together with representatives from the European Commission, Housing Europe, the energy community company Via Europa and the Swedish municipalities of Lund and Örebro would like to invite you to a seminar on energy communities. There will be discussions on the role of energy communities from an EU perspective as well as sharing of knowledge and experience from two successful projects in Sweden. The seminar will take place in Nordic House, Rue du Luxembourg 3, 1000 Brussels on 11 June, 18:30-20:00.
European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW)
The 2024 edition of the European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) will take place from 11 to 13 June 2024 in Brussels and online. The theme for EUSEW 2024 will be “Net zero energy solutions for competitive Europe”.
Presentation of the Interregional Partnership on Virtual and Smart Cultural Tourism
You are cordially invited to a presentation on the Interregional Partnership on Virtual and Smart Cultural Tourism, spearheaded by our colleagues from Thuringia. The event will take place in Brussels on 05 May, 10:00 - 12:00.
2nd C4T Conference: Sustainability Transitions in Cohesion Policy: From Policy to Practice
The C4T Community of Practice is a community-based platform that aims to support EU Member States and regions to make a better use of EU funds for sustainability transitions. With this in mind, DG REGIO and the C4T Secretariat will be hosting the second edition of the C4T Conference "Sustainability Transitions in Cohesion Policy: From Policy to Practice" on 4 June 2024, in Brussels and online.
Living-in.EU WG Meeting - Information session on EU initiatives related to monitoring and measuring digital transformation
The Monitoring and Measuring Working Group of Living-in.EU is organising its first meeting in 2024 on Friday 31 May 2024, from 11:00 to 13:00 (CEST). This event will be held online only and will be open to all interested participants. The meeting will tackle the existing initiatives and projects implemented at European, regional and local levels to measure and monitor digital transformation.
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
Partner Search Interreg Europe – Tuscany Region - Exchange of experiences on affordable housing enhancement
Project Title - Affordable Housing Enhancement and Regional Oversight for European Sustainability (HEROES) The project aims to equip authorities with the necessary tools and knowledge to establish a sustainable housing policy that harmonizes public and private efforts within comprehensive planning.
Horizon Europe strategic plan 2025-2027 is out
On 20 March, the Commission adopted the second Horizon Europe strategic plan. The plan sets out three key strategic orientations for the EU's research and innovation funding for the last three years of the programme (2025-2027). Find out what novelties the new strategic plan brings.
Coventry University Open for MSCA PF Fellows
Marie Skłodowska Curie (MSCA) European Postdoctoral Fellowships - If you are looking to grow in your research profile, keen to boost your career prospects and ready to be part of our thriving research environment, Coventry University invites you to get in touch about suitability for the following MSCA postdoctoral European fellowships at our Coventry campus.
ERRIN joins the NEB Alliance as a founding member
On 26 February 2024, the New European Bauhaus Alliance introduced its Manifesto in Amsterdam. This Manifesto aims to help society move towards strong, climate-positive cities and communities. It wants to bring together people from different fields like engineering, economics, facility management, marine biology, industry, artificial intelligence, and others.
Marching towards FP10 – ERRIN activity update
As we enter March and approach the European R&I Days, several ERRIN activities planned for 2024 with a link to FP10 have already taken place, and more are on their way. Have a look at an update with the outcomes of our recent work on the next European Framework Programme for R&I, next steps and opportunities to get involved.
The CrAFt Cookbook: A Recipe for Climate-Positive Cities and Communities
This publication is CrAFt's contribution towards climate-positive cities and communities —less greenhouse gas emissions, better quality, for more people— with local collaboration at the core. The CrAFt Cookbook outlines seven stages for urban transformation inspired by the New European Bauhaus, covering everything from conceptualisation to execution, documentation, and replication. Each stage highlights key principles and joint strategies, with real-life examples from CrAFt Cities, to inspire any city’s initiatives.
Latest Updates
- By Agnieszka Wieczorek Jetha
ERRIN’s agenda for 2024 unveiled
Every year ERRIN defines workstreams to guide its work throughout the year, closely linking to its core missions and priorities, as well as the key initiatives in the EU R&I agenda. Discover what has been planned for 2024 in ERRIN Working Groups and Task Forces.
- By Ewa Chomicz
Direction FP10 – rolling out ERRIN's activities in 2024
With the Commission proposal on the next EU Framework Programme for R&I (FP10) expected in mid-2025, this year will be key for setting the tone for further work on the topic and actively engaging in discussion. Have a look at an overview of ERRIN activities currently in the pipeline and opportunities to engage.
- By Silvia Ghiretti
Governance structures to implement the EU Missions: check the new Mission Data Platform
A new Mission Data Platform has recently been launched by TRAMI, the EU-funded project focusing on transnational cooperation on the Mission-approach and effective implementation of the EU Missions. This tool supports and links with ERRIN's work on multi-level governance in the Cities Mission within the NetZeroCities project.
- By Ewa Chomicz
Towards FP10 – ERRIN member survey to strengthen the ground for future work
This year is decisive when it comes to the development of the next European Framework Programme for R&I (FP10). To shape ERRIN's work on the topic, we encourage all members to fill in a survey about their regional work on FP10 and key issues to address. Receiving a broad view from the membership will be key for building the network's position.
- By Silvia Ghiretti
Clean Hydrogen Partnership 2024 calls are now open!
The Clean Hydrogen Partnership has officially launched its calls for proposals for 2024, providing a funding opportunity of €113.5 million to advance projects supporting the development of hydrogen technologies across the entire hydrogen value chain. ERRIN members can join a workshop hosted by Hydrogen Europe Regional Pillar on Wednesday, 7 February, focusing specifically on Hydrogen Valley calls.
- By Ewa Chomicz
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.