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.

Last Working Group Meetings

Previous Related ERRIN Working Group Meetings

ICT

Artificial Intelligence related strategies at local and regional level – ICT WG Meeting

Rodolphe Doité

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

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

Ewa Chomicz

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

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

WG Related Events

WG Related Events

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.

Regulatory Sandboxes as Enablers for CleanTech and Circular Innovation – EU Level Experiences and Future Collaboration Possibilities

This in-person event focuses on what regulatory sandboxes can provide to facilitate the deployment of disruptive technologies in CleanTech and Circularity. Regulatory sandboxes are an experimentation tool allowing innovators to develop and test products, services and business models in a controlled real-world environment supervised by authorities. The event will take place in Brussels on 22 April, 11:30-17:00.

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!

NZC Open Call for Twin Cities Cohort 2: Information session

NetZeroCities is hosting an information session on their Call for Twin Cities for prospective applicants on 18 April from 14:00-15:15. This information webinar will provide guidance and support to prospective Twin City applicants on applying to the Call for Twin Cities Cohort 2 and offer a space for applicants to have their questions answered and provide an overview of the Twinning Learning Programme.

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.

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

ERRIN is looking for a Communications Assistant (traineeship)

ERRIN is looking for a Communications Assistant! This role is a perfect opportunity to gain first-hand experience in Research and Innovation and participate in the daily work of the organisation. The deadline to apply is 27 February.

Introducing ERRIN’s Project Development Tool: a gateway to your next project

ERRIN is excited to announce the launch of its new Project Development Tool, a significant game-changer in how ERRIN members and their stakeholders engage in project development activities. We encourage all members to log in, explore this tool and leverage it for their project development needs.

A new transition pathway for a green, digital, and resilient EU mobility industrial ecosystem

The European Commission launched a new transition pathway for the EU mobility industrial ecosystem, outlining a strategic roadmap for a sustainable and resilient future. Find more on the report and register for the dedicated event.

EU City Calculator: a learning programme to support public authorities in reaching climate neutrality

From 26 February 2024, all European cities will have the opportunity to enroll in the EUCityCalc project's learning programme to learn how to collect data and use the EU City Calculator tool, which is an open source online platform that allows local councils and other stakeholders to visualise and simulate low-carbon scenarios for their towns and cities, as well as to assess the trade-offs related to available choices.

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.

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.

Latest Updates

  • By Julie Delcroix

Mission City of Lyon: Pact towards climate neutrality co-designed with the local ecosytem

The City of Lyon, one of the 112 Mission Cities and central actor of the ERRIN member Auvergne Rhône Alpes Region, is at the forefront of engaging key actors from all sectors of society to accelerate action towards climate neutrality. After several assemblies, the 'Agora2030', composed of over 60 people representing the public sector, NGOs and private organisations, recently signed the territorial pact of Lyon, a milestone of their Climate City Contract.

  • By Lucy Hammond

Province of Antwerp (Belgium) is looking for partners for LIFE-2023-CET-LOCAL call

The Province of Antwerp, Belgium is interested in joining a consortium for the LIFE-2023-CET-LOCAL call.

  • By Agnieszka Wieczorek Jetha

Call for regional examples of integrating adaptation to climate change into regional policies

The Adaptation Task Force is planning to organise a side event within the frame of the European Week of Regions and Cities (EWRC). We are looking for two regional speakers to take part in a moderated panel discussion on how adaptation to climate change is integrated into regional policies across different sectors. 

  • By Lucy Hammond

Interreg Europe project on greening serching for a PTA/regional or city authority from the Interreg Region West

EIT Urban Mobility, a flagship EU initiative for sustainable urban mobility, is searching for a city/PTA partner for our Interreg Europe project on greening (and energy efficiency) of public transport. The objective is to set up a support system for decision-makers in designing policies/plans/strategies/action plans for sustainable urban mobility, helping to increase capacities and support consultations and knowledge-sharing.

  • By Lucy Hammond

5G for Smart Communities Support Platform Launches Insight Consultation for Third Call

In preparation for an upcoming call, the 5G for Smart Communities Support Platform is conducting a consultation to gather valuable insights and feedback from key stakeholders. The deadline for responses is 7 June 2023. All responses are anonymous and will contribute to identifying concrete 5G use cases for future application developments.

  • By Teresa Vio

European Commission launches the European Capital and Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism 2024 competitions

The European Commission, DG GROW, has announced the launch of two competitions for cities and destinations with outstanding achievements in the field of tourism: European Capital of Smart Tourism and European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism.