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.
Previous Related ERRIN Working Group Meetings
Artificial Intelligence related strategies at local and regional level – ICT WG Meeting
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
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
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
Cities Mission: Experiences and lessons learned from the Climate City Contract process
The Smart Cities Working Group is inviting two cities that have successfully developed their Climate City Contracts to share their experiences and lessons learned from the process in its upcoming meeting on 25 March between 15:00-16:30 CET. The European Commission will provide an update on the state of play of the Cities Mission, focusing on the Climate City Contract process and the Mission Label.
European Research and Innovation Days (R&I Days) 2024
The European Commission’s annual flagship research and innovation event will take place on 20 and 21 March 2024, both physically in Brussels and online. The R&I Days 2024 will give you the opportunity to debate how we can make Europe more sustainable and competitive and will celebrate the outcomes and achievements in research and innovation since the launch of the first R&I Framework Programme over 40 years ago.
Pathways2Resilience Call Information Session
Following the extension of the Pathways2Resilience First Call for Regions and Communities, another information session is being held on 19 March from 13:00-14:00. This first call will provide 40 regions and communities with financial support of up to €210,000 to help regions design their pathway to climate resilience. It will also include a range of services and capacity-building activities for subgrants lasting up to 18 months. The deadline for applications is 12:00 CEST on 6 May 2024.
ERRIN R&I Days networking reception
On the occasion of the European R&I Week, we would like to warmly invite you to a networking reception on 19 March from 18:00-20:30 at the ERRIN premises in Brussels (Rue du Luxembourg 3). On the eve of the EU R&I Days 2024, ERRIN wishes to bring together local and regional R&I enthusiasts from our community across Europe to meet up and discuss the way forward with the EU R&I policy and funding.
Translating the EU Green Deal into local actions
The conference "Translating the EU Green Deal into Local Actions" is organised on 15 March in Brussels under the Belgian EU Presidency. The conference aims to highlight the way forward for the implementation of the EU Green Deal by sharing best practices from across Europe and discussions between experts from the local to the European level.
Insights into the European Wind Power Package and Net-Zero Industry Act
The Energy and Climate Change Working Group is organising an information session to provide ERRIN members and their regional stakeholders with a comprehensive update on two new initiatives currently shaping the European energy landscape: the European Wind Power Package and the Net-Zero Industry Act.
WG Documents
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.
ERRIN Draft Contribution to the Mission on Climate Neutral Cities
Please find attached ERRIN's first draft contribution to the Mission on Climate Neutral Cities.
Policy Recommendations - Regional R&I Ecosystems: Contributing to a competitive Europe
Going towards FP9, several reports - including the Lamy report - underlined the necessity to address the challenge of turning research knowledge into innovation and growth.
WG Related Content
Empowering Innovation: Overview of Public Engagement in Research & Innovation
DG RTD has recently released a thematic report titled "Overview of Public Engagement in Research & Innovation", which provides an introductory overview of Public Engagement in Research and Innovation in Europe. The document aims to inspire and help public actors and policymakers to promote and support public engagement.
Express your interest in the EU Missions and New European Bauhaus Calls 2024
The European Commission has launched new calls for proposals to support research and innovation for its five EU Missions and the New European Bauhaus (NEB). ERRIN encourages all members and their stakeholders to express interest in the EU Missions and NEB calls through the ERRIN Project Development Tool (PDT).
Feedback opportunity for Horizon Europe work programme 2025
The European Commission opened an opportunity to provide input for the development of the Horizon Europe ‘main’ work programme 2025. Submitted responses will contribute to the co-design of the work programme 2025, covering all six clusters, research infrastructures, European innovation ecosystems, the five EU Missions and the New European Bauhaus facility. The deadline for feedback is 6 May 2024 midday, CEST.
Mobility Transition Pathway: Open call for Stakeholders' Pledges to drive green and digital transition
The European Commission has opened an online call, inviting stakeholders from various sectors to submit pledges aligned with the Mobility Transition Pathway. This inclusive approach welcomes participation from individual companies, business associations, social partners, NGOs, and local authorities.
The Cities Mission Platform extends its support to all European cities
The Cities Mission Platform, supporting the work of the 112 Mission Cities towards climate neutrality, is now extending part of its support to any European city aiming to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 at the latest. Through this programme, cities across Europe will be able to learn from the approaches implemented by Mission Cities, engage in online and in-person city-to-city exchanges at the EU and national level, and gain access to the online Mission Portal and its resources. To better tailor the programme to the needs of cities, the platform has developed a needs-assessment survey that…
The European Capital of Innovation Awards
In 2024, the European Innovation Council is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the European Capital of Innovation Awards. The competition rewards those European cities that are courageous enough to open their governance practices to experimentation and push the boundaries of technology for the benefit of their citizens. In addition to the monetary reward, the prize brings high visibility in the form of renewed public interest and increased media coverage. The deadline for submission is 18 June 2024, 17:00.
Latest Updates
- By Rodolphe Doité
Info day - Developing CitiVerse
On 23 May 2023, an Info Day is organised to present the next Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL) funding opportunity for Smart and Sustainable Cities and Communities, for the topic Developing CitiVerse.
- By Lucy Hammond
Covenant of Companies for Climate and Energy launch pledging scheme
The Covenant of Companies has launched a brand-new pledging scheme where companies, in making a pledge with our programme, commit to taking action to decarbonise. In return, they offer companies the knowledge and support they need to carry out these measures including a suite of advisory services. The second call for technical assistance is now open and the deadline for submission is 31 August 2023 18:00 CEST
- By Ewa Chomicz
Regional Innovation Valleys calls for proposals launched!
The first Regional Innovation Valleys calls for proposals under the European Innovation Ecosystems (EIE) part of Horizon Europe and under the Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument of the ERDF were launched by the European Commission on 17 May with an overall budget of EUR 122 million. The closing date for applying is 17 October 2023.
- By Lucy Hammond
Pathways2Resilience launches Expression of Interest
The Pathways2Resilience programme has launched its Expression of Interest questionnaire. The programme will allocate €21 million across 100 regions and communities through two call cycles, while also providing them with a range of support services and capacity-building activities to support the formulation of local resilience pathways and innovation agendas. The deadline for local and regional public authorities to express their interest in the programme is 15 September.
- By Ewa Chomicz
Call to join the Commission Expert Group on the Interim Evaluation of Horizon Europe
On 15 May, the European Commission's DG RTD launched a call for applications for the Commission Expert Group on the Interim Evaluation of Horizon Europe. The group shall gather 15 highly experienced members with the aim to provide the Commission with strategic recommendations to feed into the design of the next Framework Programme 2028-2034.
- By Lucy Hammond
The Intelligent Cities Challenge: Deadline extended until 31 May
The Intelligent Cities Challenge (ICC) is one of the European Commission's largest city support initiatives supporting European cities in their green and digital transitions. ICC delivers cutting-edge knowledge and support services to cities and their local economies to address two major challenges: making the transition to a net-zero economic model while enabling social inclusion and sustainable development for every EU citizen. The application deadline for cities has been extended to 31 May 2023.