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

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Digital tools for smart cities

Heidi Johansson

In this joint Smart Cities and ICT Working Group meeting, members will gain insights into digital funding opportunities for cities and regions, including the ‘Towards networked Local Digital Twins in

European University Alliances and their commitment to support the connection  of regional innovation ecosystems

European University Alliances and their commitment to support the connection of regional innovation ecosystems

Astrid Hannes

In September 2022 the SEFS Working Group discussed with the European Commission and regional examples the relationship between the then 44 European Universities and the S3-strategies of the regions

Last Working Group Meetings

Previous Related ERRIN Working Group Meetings

The Nature Restoration Law: restoration of marine and freshwater ecosystems

The Nature Restoration Law: restoration of marine and freshwater ecosystems

Astrid Hannes

With the Nature Restoration Law adopted this year by all EU Member States, the coming year will mark the start of early stages of implementation. Many of the law's objectives pertain to marine

Unlocking potential, regional perspectives on knowledge valorisation 

SEFS Working Group meeting: Unlocking potential, regional perspectives on knowledge valorisation 

Astrid Hannes

In the 2022 Council Recommendation, knowledge valorisation is referred to as the process of creating social and economic value from knowledge by linking different areas and sectors and by

transport - Smart cities

Cities Mission – focus on sustainable urban mobility

Gaia Ialisa Marotta

The meeting organised by the Transport and the Smart Cities WGs will focus on the proposed mobility strategies in the Climate City Contracts and the measures needed to reduce emissions in the

WG Related Events

WG Related Events

WIRE 2024: Regions as catalysts of European RDI competitiveness - the role of regions in the reduction of fragmentation in the European innovation ecosystem

This year's edition of the Week of Innovative Regions in Europe (WIRE) will take place on 13-14 November 2024 in Budapest. The event is organised by the National Research, Development and Innovation Office in Budapest, under the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, with ERRIN as part of the Steering Committee. Registration is open until 8 November at noon CET.

UAS4EUROPE and ERRIN Horizon Europe Capacity Building Workshop

UAS4Europe and ERRIN are co-organising a ‘Horizon Europe Capacity-Building Workshop’ on 6-7 November 2024 in Brussels. The workshop is specifically designed to support newcomers to the Horizon Europe Programme coming from regional ecosystems, including universities of applied sciences, policy-makers, and public administrations.

EUREKA 2024: Fair of culture and creativity - Friuli Venezia Giulia

Eureka 2024 is designed for the enterprises that want to boost their competitiveness and for all the culture and innovation enthusiasts. Take your unique opportunity to meet the cultural and creative industry leaders and engage in two days of exposition, B2B meetings, workshops and conferences. The event will take place in Pordenone, on 29-30 October.

Clean Energy Transition Partnership Annual Conference 2024

The Clean Energy Transition Partnership is organising its annual conference online on 22-23 October 2024. During several sessions, participants will get the chance to contribute to important policy discussions, learn more about how CETPartnership contributes to achieving the clean energy transition goals and engage in networking with several stakeholders.

Info session on the application process for the EU Preparatory Action on Innovation for Place-Based Transformation

On 22 October from 10:00-12:00 CET, the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission will be hosting an interactive webinar designed to guide all the territories interested in applying to the Call for Expression of Interest in the new EU Preparatory Action on "Innovation for place-based transformation".

Living-in.EU Technical Working Group Meeting on Procurement Templates

The Living-in.EU initiative, and the Technical Working Group, is organising an online event on 21 October 2024 to present and discuss the latest developments in the Minimal Interoperability Mechanisms, Data Spaces and Local Digital Twins.

WG Documents

WG Documents

Case studies: The role of regions in the Mission on 100 climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030

As part of its work within the NetZeroCities project, ERRIN has developed three case studies showcasing the critical role that regions can play in the EU Mission on climate-neutral and smart cities, using examples from ERRIN member regions. With their climate-related competencies and responsibilities within national governance structures, and role in implementing national policies and facilitating financing, regions are uniquely positioned to support cities in achieving their climate neutrality goals.

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. 

WG Related Content

WG Related Content

Have Your Say on the Future of Regional Innovation Valleys

The European Commission invites all regions – whether selected as RIVs or not – to share feedback on the RIV initiative to help shape future calls and align them with regional needs. Deadline to answer the questionnaire is 15 November.

The role of regions in the Cities Mission

As part of its work within the NetZeroCities project, ERRIN has developed three case studies showcasing the critical role that regions can play in the EU Mission on 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030, using examples from ERRIN member regions. With their climate-related competencies and responsibilities within national governance structures, and role in implementing national policies and facilitating financing, regions are uniquely positioned to support cities in achieving their climate neutrality goals. The case studies highlight best practice examples from Blekinge Region, Region…

Report of the Expert Group on the interim evaluation of Horizon Europe released

On 16 October 2024, the awaited report of the Expert Group on the interim evaluation of Horizon Europe was launched. Looking towards the future of EU research and innovation, the report outlines 12 recommendations in the spirit of its title: "Act, Align, Accelerate – Research, Technology and Innovation to boost European competitiveness".

Reflecting on the 2024 Living-in.EU Digital Assembly

After the 2024 Living-in.EU Digital Assembly and the networking reception 'Connect people for the Twin transition', a look back from ERRIN on this key milestone in our digital work.

2030CATALYSTS: Open call for EU regions to implement the SDGs

A new call for EU regions to turn the SDGs into local missions is now open. The 2030CATALYSTS project will support a maximum of 20 EU regions to enhance their approaches to SDG monitoring and implementation, and pave the way for effective, data-driven, co-created strategies. The call for expression of interest is open until 31 October 2024.

Another 20 cities receive EU Mission Label for advancing climate neutrality goals

On 8 October, the European Commission revealed the next 20 European cities to be awarded the EU Mission Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities label for their plans to reach climate neutrality by 2030. 8 of these cities are located in ERRIN member regions. The first 10 cities received their Mission Label in October 2023, followed by 23 more cities that were awarded in March 2024. This brings the total number of cities with the label to 53.

Latest Updates

  • By Maria Bostrom

Have Your Say on the Future of Regional Innovation Valleys

The European Commission invites all regions – whether selected as RIVs or not – to share feedback on the RIV initiative to help shape future calls and align them with regional needs. Deadline to answer the questionnaire is 15 November.

  • By Heidi Johansson

The role of regions in the Cities Mission

As part of its work within the NetZeroCities project, ERRIN has developed three case studies showcasing the critical role that regions can play in the EU Mission on 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030, using examples from ERRIN member regions. With their climate-related competencies and responsibilities within national governance structures, and role in implementing national policies and facilitating financing, regions are uniquely positioned to support cities in achieving their climate neutrality goals. The case studies highlight best practice examples from Blekinge Region, Region of Valencia and Poland (Lower Silesia, Małopolska, Mazovia, Łódzkie and Podkarpackie).

  • By Heidi Johansson

Case studies: The role of regions in the Mission on 100 climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030

As part of its work within the NetZeroCities project, ERRIN has developed three case studies showcasing the critical role that regions can play in the EU Mission on climate-neutral and smart cities, using examples from ERRIN member regions. With their climate-related competencies and responsibilities within national governance structures, and role in implementing national policies and facilitating financing, regions are uniquely positioned to support cities in achieving their climate neutrality goals.

  • By Ewa Chomicz

Report of the Expert Group on the interim evaluation of Horizon Europe released

On 16 October 2024, the awaited report of the Expert Group on the interim evaluation of Horizon Europe was launched. Looking towards the future of EU research and innovation, the report outlines 12 recommendations in the spirit of its title: "Act, Align, Accelerate – Research, Technology and Innovation to boost European competitiveness".

  • By Rodolphe Doité

Reflecting on the 2024 Living-in.EU Digital Assembly

After the 2024 Living-in.EU Digital Assembly and the networking reception 'Connect people for the Twin transition', a look back from ERRIN on this key milestone in our digital work.

  • By Ewa Chomicz

2030CATALYSTS: Open call for EU regions to implement the SDGs

A new call for EU regions to turn the SDGs into local missions is now open. The 2030CATALYSTS project will support a maximum of 20 EU regions to enhance their approaches to SDG monitoring and implementation, and pave the way for effective, data-driven, co-created strategies. The call for expression of interest is open until 31 October 2024.