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 published in March 2025 the Union of Skills communication as one of the new initiatives for its first 100 days. This
Net-Zero Industry Act: Implementation and Opportunities
In the context of the EU Green Deal and the new Clean Industrial Deal, the Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA) is a key EU initiative that aims to strengthen Europe’s net-zero technology manufacturing
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
Save the date: EU Hydrogen Week 2025
The European Hydrogen Week 2025 will take place from 29 September to 3 October at The Square in Brussels, both in person and online. The event will feature a high-level policy conference as well as a series of impactful sessions and side events focused on the key aspects of hydrogen development.
Annual I3 Instrument Forum – save the date!
The first Annual Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument Forum will take place in Brussels on 24-25 September 2025. Policymakers, regional authorities, and innovation leaders will gather to discuss the impact of the I3 Instrument, share best practices, and foster collaboration. Save the date!
Save the date: European Research and Innovation Days 2025
Save the date for the European Research & Innovation (R&I) Days 2025, taking place 16-19 September in Brussels. The European Commission’s flagship research and innovation event will bring together policymakers, researchers, business leaders and innovation experts to discuss how research and innovation drive Europe’s competitiveness, sustainability and industrial leadership.
Launch of the CCRI-Self-Assessment Tool: Supporting Cities and Regions in Measuring Circular Economy Solutions
On 3 July the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI) will launch the final version of the self-assessment tool, which is a key component of the CCRI designed to support cities, regions, and territorial clusters in monitoring circular actions.
Alexa was born in Gdansk
Join this event and discover how the Pomorskie Region became a hub for cutting-edge technologies used in Amazon devices around the world by bringing together public institutions, universities and businesses.
Net-Zero Industry Act: Implementation and Opportunities
On 1 July (14:00-15:00), the Energy and Climate Change Working Group is organising an online webinar to update its members on the Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA)’s implementation. This meeting aims to support discussion on the potential roles of regions within the NZIA framework, highlight members’ interests and challenges and encourage reflections on the concept of Net-Zero Acceleration Valleys.
WG Documents
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.
ERRIN Input to the Driving Urban Transitions Partnership Consultation
ERRIN provided input to the public consultation to shape the European Partnership on Driving Urban Transitions.
Proposal for the Driving Urban Transitions Partnership
Attached is the approved concept for the Driving Urban Transitions Partnership.
ERRIN Contribution to the Mission on Climate Neutral and Smart Cities
Please find attached ERRIN's contribution to the Mission on Climate Neutral and Smart Cities.
WG Related Content
EU public consultation on Citizens Energy Package
On 19 June, the European Commission launched a public consultation on the upcoming Citizens Energy Package, open until 11 September 2025. The initiative aims to reinforce consumer rights, combat energy poverty and empower citizen participation in the energy transition.
ERRIN's Spring Annual General Meeting 2025 focusing on the territorial dimension of the EU’s research and innovation funding landscape post-2027
On June 17, ERRIN members and regional stakeholders from across Europe gathered in Brussels for the network's Spring Annual General Meeting (AGM) – an opportunity to take stock of recent achievements, reaffirm shared priorities and engage in timely discussions on the territorial dimension of the EU’s research and innovation funding landscape post-2027. This year's AGM was generously hosted by Wielkopolska Region, Emilia-Romagna Region, the Representation of the State of Hessen to the EU and Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region and strategically held in connection to the Smart Specialisation Community of…
Boosting Regional Innovation: Upcoming EIC and EIT Opportunities for funding mobility projects
On 12 June, the Transport Working Group held a meeting focused on boosting regional participation in key EU innovation programmes, with a spotlight on the European Innovation Council (EIC) and EIT Urban Mobility. The EIC highlighted upcoming opportunities through its Accelerator programme, offering blended finance for high-impact innovations. With the next cut-off date on 1 October, regions and SMEs are encouraged to submit short proposals soon to remain eligible. EIT Urban Mobility will launch its Innovation Open Call soon, with a September deadline and an Info Day in July.
Regional Innovation Valley in clean energy management technologies
The Extremadura Region is developing a proposal on the Regional Innovation Valleys call, with a focus on Clean Energy Management. The consortium is looking for regions with interest in the topic and that can bring complementary capacities and contributions to the concept.
ERRIN joins European Cities and Regions call for stronger role in EU Governance
ERRIN alongside several ERRIN Members have joined more than 80 cities, towns, regions and 11 networks across Europe to call for a new era of EU policy making – one that acknowledges local and regional authorities as equal partners in shaping Europe’s future. Initiated by the cities of Malmö (Sweden) and Freiburg (Germany), in their respective roles as ICLEI’s Global and European Presidents, this joint letter emphasises that local and regional governments, who are responsible for implementing nearly 70% of European Green Deal legislation and 60% of climate-related public spending, are pivotal…
Info Session on Pathways2Resilience Second Open Call: Funding Opportunity for Regions
P2R Second Open Call is now open, apply to become part of the programme and receive sub-grants of up to €210,000, as well as the project's capacity building services. ERRIN Adaptation Task Force's info session (online) will support you in learning more about the project, the call, and present feedback from regions part of the P2R.
Latest Updates
- By Inès Moualil
Info Session on Pathways2Resilience Second Open Call: Funding Opportunity for Regions
P2R Second Open Call is now open, apply to become part of the programme and receive sub-grants of up to €210,000, as well as the project's capacity building services. ERRIN Adaptation Task Force's info session (online) will support you in learning more about the project, the call, and present feedback from regions part of the P2R.
- By Anett Ruszanov
Transforming cities: the power of Industrial Symbiosis and Eco-Industrial Development
The 'Industrial Symbiosis and Eco-Industrial Development for Cities and Regions' guide, authored by Peter Laybourn OBE, Dr. D. Rachel Lombardi, and Hung Suck Park and co-led by STEAMhouse from Birmingham City University, unveils a revolutionary approach to urban sustainability through industrial symbiosis (IS) and eco-industrial development (EID). Supported by DIATOMIC, an interdisciplinary cross-cutting platform for embedding innovation capacity in the city, this guide highlights how cities can lead the charge towards a greener future.
- By Paul Brunet
Shaping the future EU Agenda for Cities – ERRIN’s key messages
As Europe advances its Green Deal and sets its sights on competitiveness and the next Multiannual Financial Framework, cities, urban areas and metropolitan regions must be at the heart of the transformation. Building on the network’s long-standing expertise and recent input papers, ERRIN contributed to the call for evidence launched by the European Commission on the future EU Agenda for Cities.
- By Anett Ruszanov
Collaboration on low-carbon emission district heating/cooling
Aston University (Birmingham) researcher would like to establish collaboration with cities interested in a deployable technology for low carbon and low emission district heating and cooling.
- By Sandra Jansson
The Southeastern Sweden is searching for international exchange on cross-regional urban development
Southeast Sweden is looking for international exchange! We are looking for possibilities to discuss and compare our work with other cities and regions that also have an ambition to strengthen functional integration in a sustainable manner. Stakeholders from South Eastern Sweden visits Brussels on the 11th of June, and wishes to meet stakeholders from other European regions or cities for a meeting to exchange ideas and practices.
- By Maria Bostrom
ERRIN invites members to co-sign a joint letter for stronger shared governance in Europe
ERRIN has joined a growing alliance of local and regional actors by signing a joint letter initiated by the Mayors of Malmö and Freiburg, calling for a new era of genuine shared governance in Europe. We are now inviting ERRIN members to consider co-signing the letter to amplify the collective voice of regional and local authorities. Deadline to co-sign the letter is 6 June.