Working Group Leaders

Representatives of Brussels-based offices leading the work of the Smart Cities Working Group.

Pieter Faber

Leader

Pieter Faber

Cities Northern Netherlands

Miia Paananen

Leader

Miia Paananen

Turku-Southwest Finland European Office

Runa Monstad

Leader

Runa Monstad

Stavanger Region European Office

Helle Bech Sørensen-Hylle

Leader

Helle Bech Sørensen-Hylle

South Denmark European Office

Alis Socea

Leader

Alis Socea

ADR Nord-Est

ADR Nord-Est

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.

Next Working Group Meetings

Future Related ERRIN Working Group Meetings

NEB Task Force Satellite Event: Regions & Cities paving the future of the NEB

NEB Task Force Satellite Event: Regions & Cities paving the future of the NEB

Francesca Pozzebon

ERRIN New European Bauhaus Task Force is organising a NEB Festival Satellite event on the role of regions and cities in shaping the future of the NEB.  In the summer of 2023, ERRIN launched an

Policy WG meeting: Role of EU Missions in FP10

Policy WG meeting: Role of EU Missions in FP10

Ewa Chomicz

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

Policy & Smart Specialisation WGs meeting: Widening in FP10 and impact on cohesion policy post-2027

Policy & Smart Specialisation WGs meeting: Widening in FP10 and impact on cohesion policy post-2027

Ewa Chomicz

Widening and deepening engagement in R&I to achieve a more inclusive ecosystem approach across Europe has been one of ERRIN’s network priorities since 2021. As such, it has been regularly covered

Last Working Group Meetings

Previous Related ERRIN Working Group Meetings

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Cities Mission: Experiences and lessons learned from the Climate City Contract process

Heidi Johansson

As a follow-up to the Smart Cities Working Group meeting organised in 2023, the Working Group is inviting two cities that have successfully developed their Climate City Contracts to share their

Energy and Climate Change Working Group

Insights into the European Wind Power Package and Net-Zero Industry Act

Silvia Ghiretti

The Energy and Climate Change Working Group is organising a session to provide ERRIN members and their regional stakeholders with a comprehensive update on two new initiatives currently shaping the

Policy WG: Towards FP10 – internal member exchange

Policy WG: Towards FP10 – internal member exchange

Ewa Chomicz

To build the ground for ERRIN’s targeted work around the development of the next European Framework Programme for R&I (FP10) in the coming years and to assist members’ undertakings on the topic,

WG Related Events

WG Related Events

Policy WG meeting: Role of EU Missions in FP10

ERRIN has been actively working on the topic of EU Missions as one of the network's priorities. As we continue preparations towards the next European Framework Programme for R&I, the upcoming Policy Working Group meeting will focus on the role of EU Missions in FP10. The event will take place in person at the ERRIN premises on 23 April from 14:00-16:00.

Co-creation and citizen engagement in EU Missions Workshop

ERRIN is supporting the REINFORCING project in organising an interactive workshop aimed at exploring the challenges and needs faced by cities and regions regarding citizen engagement within the EU Missions. The project will support organisations financially with specific training, capacity-building sessions, mentoring opportunities and peer learning. The workshop will be organised on 23 April between 11:30-13:00 at ERRIN’s office.

ERRIN Intro Coffee

The ERRIN Secretariat team is pleased to invite you to the ERRIN Intro Coffee, aiming to offer a brief, to-the-point introduction to ERRIN and its services, as well as facilitate networking between members. We especially encourage new network members and colleagues to take part, but all interested members are welcome. Join us in person at ERRIN on 19 April!

WCEF 2024 accelerator session: Inspiring best practices from a circular hub in Northern Netherlands

Chemport Europe, the provinces of Groningen and Friesland, the Municipality of Groningen, hubs Circulair Groningen and Circular Friesland, Groningen Seaports, Greenwise Circular Plastics, and Holland Circular Hotspot, collaboratively organise an official WCEF2024 accelerator session on the northern Netherlands’ bottom-up, regional approach towards circularity, illustrated by best practices in plastics, textile and construction on 18 April from 13:00-14:30 at the House of the Dutch Provinces.

NEB Task Force Satellite Event: Regions & Cities paving the future of the NEB

ERRIN New European Bauhaus Task Force is organising a NEB Festival Satellite event on the role of regions and cities in shaping the future of the NEB on 16 April from 10:00-12:00.The event will be an opportunity to present the key findings and recommendations from ERRIN members' direct experience, stressing the crucial role of regions in the coherent planning and successful implementation of the New European Bauhaus.

The Role of Art in the NEB-inspired Urban Transition

The CrAFT project is hosting an event looking at the role of art as a powerful tool for engaging the public in conversations about advancing our cities. A panel of experts drawn from diverse backgrounds will explore how art and creativity can effectively convey the impact of innovation in physical spaces – platforms – that the city would manage. How should such a space look and function, and what are some examples of good practice?

WG Documents

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

WG Related Content

Third Call for Proposals of the European Urban Initiative- Innovative Actions

The third call for proposals of the European Urban Initiative (EUI) - Innovative Actions will be launched in May 2024 and close in October 2024. The call is targeting innovative projects focusing on two topics: 'energy transition' and 'technology in cities', and has an indicative budget of €90 million ERDF.

Apply for the European Green Capital & European Green Leaf Awards 2026

European cities committed to sustainability are encouraged to apply for the 2026 edition of the European Green Capital and Green Leaf Awards before the deadline on 30 April 2024. The Awards promote and reward the efforts of European towns and cities that strive to reduce their impact on the local and global environment, improving the quality of life for their inhabitants. 

23 new Mission Cities awarded the Mission Label

During a dedicated session at the EU Research & Innovation Days, 23 new cities part of the EU Mission on 100 climate-neutral and smart cities were awarded the Mission Label for their plans to achieve climate neutrality by 2030. ERRIN is pleased to see that 15 cities are located in ERRIN member regions.

Express your interest in the 3rd Interreg Europe call via the ERRIN Project Development Tool

Interreg Europe's 3rd call for proposals, launched on 20 March, supports interregional cooperation projects addressing common regional development challenges. Organisations can use the ERRIN Project Development tool to express interest and find partners. The call is open until 7 June 2024.

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.

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.

Latest Updates

  • By Heidi Johansson

Third Call for Proposals of the European Urban Initiative- Innovative Actions

The third call for proposals of the European Urban Initiative (EUI) - Innovative Actions will be launched in May 2024 and close in October 2024. The call is targeting innovative projects focusing on two topics: 'energy transition' and 'technology in cities', and has an indicative budget of €90 million ERDF.

  • By Heidi Johansson

Apply for the European Green Capital & European Green Leaf Awards 2026

European cities committed to sustainability are encouraged to apply for the 2026 edition of the European Green Capital and Green Leaf Awards before the deadline on 30 April 2024. The Awards promote and reward the efforts of European towns and cities that strive to reduce their impact on the local and global environment, improving the quality of life for their inhabitants. 

  • By Rodolphe Doité

Consortium looking for an expert in digital divide- Deadline 27 March

For consortium submitting a proposal for a tender on “Territorial perspectives of digital transition in European regions” is looking for experts to take part in their activities. The deadline for expressing interest is on 27 March at 12:00.

  • By Silvia Ghiretti

Express your interest in the 3rd Interreg Europe call via the ERRIN Project Development Tool

Interreg Europe's 3rd call for proposals, launched on 20 March, supports interregional cooperation projects addressing common regional development challenges. Organisations can use the ERRIN Project Development tool to express interest and find partners. The call is open until 7 June 2024.

  • By Ewa Chomicz

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.

  • By Heidi Johansson

23 new Mission Cities awarded the Mission Label

During a dedicated session at the EU Research & Innovation Days, 23 new cities part of the EU Mission on 100 climate-neutral and smart cities were awarded the Mission Label for their plans to achieve climate neutrality by 2030. ERRIN is pleased to see that 15 cities are located in ERRIN member regions.