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
Science & Education for Society WG Meeting: Towards a Union of Skills: what can regions expect?
After concluding the Year of Skills in April 2024, the European Commission announced the Union of Skills as one of the new initiatives for its first 100 days. This initiative aims to address Europe’s
Previous Related ERRIN Working Group Meetings
Transport WG meeting: The future of European Competitiveness and new transport-related priorities
Continuing the series of ERRIN events the future of European competitiveness, this session will focus on the automotive sector and new transport-related priorities, including the Clean Industrial
Regional Innovation Valleys: lessons learned and next calls
This joint Policy and Smart Specialisation Working Group meeting will focus on two upcoming calls for proposals on ‘Implementing co-funded action plans for connected regional innovation valleys’
Low Carbon Cluster meeting: Clean Industrial Deal and Competitiveness
Following up on an ERRIN meeting on competitiveness earlier this February, the Low Carbon Cluster will organise a session on the Clean Industrial Deal, focusing on energy, transport and urban
WG Related Events
Policy session (EUSEW): Exploring local actions for energy systems integration
The session's objective is to share relevant questions and best practices about the efficient use of energy infrastructure whilst adding renewable energy to the energy system. The session offers inspiration and discussion for policy makers at all levels. It aims to make collective sense of this new challenge for all EU cities as they make their way towards a climate neutral energy system in 2050. This is an official policy session as part of the EU Sustainable Energy Week.
European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) 2025
European Sustainable Energy Week 2025 - EU’s largest annual event on renewables and energy efficiency - will take place on 10-12 June 2025 in Brussels and online. Make sure to secure your place!
Side event EU Green Week - Circular textile in practice: How can local and regional stakeholders collaborate together to provide for sustainable solutions?
How can we make the textile sector more circular? How can the industry collaborate with regional and local authorities to provide sustainable solutions? What are the priorities at the European level, and what support is available for innovators? These are some of the key questions that the Cities Northern Netherlands and Oslo Region European Office aim to address with this event.
Online Info session: Regional Innovation Valleys & Preparatory Action - 2025 calls for proposals
On 3 June 2025, the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency is organising an informative webinar about the Horizon Europe Calls 'Implementing co-funded action plans for connected regional innovation valleys', 'Implementing co-funded action plans for connected regional innovation valleys in widening countries' and 'Preparatory action for setting up joint programmes among innovation ecosystems actors'. The calls will open on May 15.
Innovative cities, circular solutions: Tackling urban waste challenges
The Gothenburg European Office and the Cities Northern Netherlands EU Office are organising an EU Green Week Partner Event on circular solutions to tackle urban waste challenges, taking place on 2 June 2025 from 15:00 to 16:30 CEST. The event will explore how cities across Europe are taking action to reduce waste, maximise resource efficiency and create sustainable urban environments.
Info Days: EU Missions calls 2025
The European Commission will host online Info Days on 22–23 May 2025 to present the 2025 calls for proposals under the EU Missions Work Programme of Horizon Europe.
WG Documents
Strengthening research, innovation and competitiveness – insights from 120 regional ecosystems
At this pivotal time for Europe, with the Commission's proposals for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10) getting closer, European Regions Research and Innovation Network (ERRIN) is pleased to provide inputs on how the EU can create the right conditions for R&I to thrive for a competitive Europe post-2027. Drawing our comprehensive paper series 'Towards the 10th Framework Programme', with insights gathered from the 120 regional ecosystems that ERRIN brings together, ERRIN has put together 10 key messages on the…
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.
WG Related Content
Register now: ERRIN Spring Annual General Meeting 2025
Registration in now open for ERRIN’s Spring Annual General Meeting (AGM), which will take place in person on Tuesday, 17 June from 16:30 to 20:00 CEST, generously hosted by Wielkopolska Region, Emilia-Romagna Region, the Representation of the State of Hessen to the EU and Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region (Rue Montoyer 21, 1000 Brussels).
Horizon Europe 2025 Work Programmes are out: Express your interest on ERRIN’s Project Development Tool
The European Commission has published the 2025 Horizon Europe Work Programme, outlining €7.3 billion in funding for research and innovation projects across the EU. The calls are now available also on ERRIN’s Project Development Tool (PDT). ERRIN members and interested organisations are invited to navigate the PDT, express interest and search for partners.
Launch of CapaCITIES 2.0: Advancing climate neutral cities with national and regional support
On May 8, ERRIN participated in the kick-off meeting for the CapaCITIES 2.0 project, as part of the Cities Mission Conference 2025 in Vilnius. CapaCITIES 2.0 is a two-year Horizon Europe project aiming to support national and regional authorities in strengthening their governance structures, where ERRIN contributes as a key partner in the consortium. The final objective is to help cities reach climate neutrality, in line with the EU Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission and its related platform NetZeroCities.
The 2nd Pathways2Resilience Call Now Open
The Pathways2Resilience programme – the flagship initiative of the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change – launched its Second Call for funding on the 15 May 2025. With €21 million in sub-grants available across two open calls, the programme supports over 100 European regions and communities in co-designing locally led pathways to a climate-resilient future.
Public consultation on the future EU Affordable Housing Plan
The European Commission has opened a public consultation on the upcoming European Affordable Housing Plan, aiming to gather input from stakeholders across all levels - local, regional, national and European. The deadline to contribute is 4 June 2025.
Another 39 cities received EU Mission Label for advancing climate neutrality goals
During the Cities Mission Conference in Vilnius, on 7 May, the European Commission awarded 39 cities the EU Mission Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities label for their plans to reach climate neutrality by 2030.
Latest Updates
- By Marco Grippa
Launch of CapaCITIES 2.0: Advancing climate neutral cities with national and regional support
On May 8, ERRIN participated in the kick-off meeting for the CapaCITIES 2.0 project, as part of the Cities Mission Conference 2025 in Vilnius. CapaCITIES 2.0 is a two-year Horizon Europe project aiming to support national and regional authorities in strengthening their governance structures, where ERRIN contributes as a key partner in the consortium. The final objective is to help cities reach climate neutrality, in line with the EU Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission and its related platform NetZeroCities.
- By Gianpiero Petruzziello
Horizon Europe 2025 Work Programmes are out: Express your interest on ERRIN’s Project Development Tool
The European Commission has published the 2025 Horizon Europe Work Programme, outlining €7.3 billion in funding for research and innovation projects across the EU. The calls are now available also on ERRIN’s Project Development Tool (PDT). ERRIN members and interested organisations are invited to navigate the PDT, express interest and search for partners.
- By Maria Bostrom
Register now: ERRIN Spring Annual General Meeting 2025
Registration in now open for ERRIN’s Spring Annual General Meeting (AGM), which will take place in person on Tuesday, 17 June from 16:30 to 20:00 CEST, generously hosted by Wielkopolska Region, Emilia-Romagna Region, the Representation of the State of Hessen to the EU and Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region (Rue Montoyer 21, 1000 Brussels).
- By Inès Moualil
The 2nd Pathways2Resilience Call Now Open
The Pathways2Resilience programme – the flagship initiative of the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change – launched its Second Call for funding on the 15 May 2025. With €21 million in sub-grants available across two open calls, the programme supports over 100 European regions and communities in co-designing locally led pathways to a climate-resilient future.
- By Silvia Ghiretti
Public consultation on the future EU Affordable Housing Plan
The European Commission has opened a public consultation on the upcoming European Affordable Housing Plan, aiming to gather input from stakeholders across all levels - local, regional, national and European. The deadline to contribute is 4 June 2025.
- By Gianpiero Petruzziello
City-to-City exchange - urban regeneration
The municipality of Emmen in the Northern Netherlands is looking for (two) peer cities that would provide some best practices and inspiration regarding urban regeneration. The city has indeed an old zoo park, called Rensenpark, which they would like to sustainably transform, making it more climate adaptative and turning it into a useful and dynamic social place for the inhabitants.