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
DUT Conference 2024: Driving Urban Transitions through Joint Action
The Driving Urban Transitions (DUT), a European Partnership committed to supporting cities in their journey to become sustainable, resilient, and inclusive, is hosting its biennial policy conference, bringing together urban leaders, practitioners, researchers, investors, and visionaries at the forefront of sustainable urban transition. The event will be taking place in Brussels from 10-12 April.
Northern NEB Lights - The Power of Narratives
Before diving into the NEB Festival in Brussels, NEB-STAR and DESIRE invite you to the third event of the Northern NEB Lights series. We will meet in Brussels and online to promote dialogue and debate around the implementation of NEB values in the Nordic context.
Territories in ACTION
Following the launch of the ACTIONbook in January 2024, the JRC and CoR are organising an event to present the publication alongside insights from several territories on their innovative place-based transformations. As the ACTIONbook builds on the experiences from the PRI Pilot Action, next steps linked to this initiative will also be shared.
Festival of the New European Bauhaus
Organised by the European Commission in cooperation with the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, this year's New European Bauhaus festival invites everyone to embark on a 5-days journey of creativity and collaboration exchange on your visions with people from Brussels and across the globe. Join the Festival of the New European Bauhaus on 9-13 April.
Cities Mission: Experiences and lessons learned from the Climate City Contract process
The Smart Cities Working Group is inviting two cities that have successfully developed their Climate City Contracts to share their experiences and lessons learned from the process in its upcoming meeting on 25 March between 15:00-16:30 CET. The European Commission will provide an update on the state of play of the Cities Mission, focusing on the Climate City Contract process and the Mission Label.
European Research and Innovation Days (R&I Days) 2024
The European Commission’s annual flagship research and innovation event will take place on 20 and 21 March 2024, both physically in Brussels and online. The R&I Days 2024 will give you the opportunity to debate how we can make Europe more sustainable and competitive and will celebrate the outcomes and achievements in research and innovation since the launch of the first R&I Framework Programme over 40 years ago.
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
Join the Urban Agenda for the EU public consultation on the Greening Cities and Sustainable Tourism Partnerships
The Greening Cities Partnership and EU Sustainable Tourism Partnership of the Urban Agenda for the EU invites you to reply to the public consultations on the draft Action Plans. You will have the opportunity to help shape the future of urban green infrastructure by providing your insights and feedback on key Actions aimed at enhancing urban biodiversity, climate adaptation, and residents' wellbeing in EU and address key challenges faced in the framework of urban tourism today.
Cities Mission Enabling City Transformation call now open!
The Cities Mission Platform has opened a call for the Enabling City Transformation Programme. The Enabling City Transformation call invites Mission Cities to propose innovative actions to overcome systemic challenges faced when implementing climate action. This 18-month programme aims to foster large-scale, city-wide transformation, building upon and progressing beyond the Pilot Cities programme. The call is open until 14 October.
Cascade funding available to deploy data spaces for cities and communities
The EU-funded project Data Spaces for Smart and Sustainable Cities and Communities opened a call in June 2024 to select pilot projects for the deployment of Data Spaces.
Call for Applications for IN SITU Summer School
Applications are now open to join IN SITU Summer School, “Place-based creative solutions for cultivating caring and sustainable communities" (20-24 September 2024), and the IN SITU Conference "Horizons of Sustainability: The power of creative innovation for transformation of rural and non-urban futures" (25-27 September 2024), both held in the beautiful island of Zlarin, Croatia.
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.
ERRIN is looking for a Head of projects - Extended Deadline
In view of the upcoming departure of ERRIN's current Director of projects, Ryan Titley, ERRIN is looking for a replacement to start in September 2024. The new colleague will work closely with the ERRIN Director on strategic planning, and lead the implementation and development of ERRIN's current and future project portfolio. Extended deadline: Applications are open until 26 May at 17.00 CEST.
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.