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
COP 27 EU side event:Local Green Deals – Implementing global ambitions at the local level
The COP 27 EU side event on 'Local Green Deals – Implementing global ambitions at the local level' is taking place on 17 November between 11:00 and 12:00.
COP27 EU side event: Climate neutral and smart cities with and for citizens
The COP27 EU side event 'Climate neutral and smart cities with and for citizens' will take place online on 17 November from 10:00 to 11:00.
European Partnership Stakeholder Forum - One-year review of European Partnership Initiatives in Horizon Europe
On 15 and 16 November 2022, the European Commission will launch its first European Partnership Stakeholder Forum. The Forum focuses on reviewing the first year of partnerships and, in particular, how they can contribute to the twin green and digital transitions, and increase Europe’s resilience. Participation is possible online or in person in Brussels.
New Era of Urban Safety & Security? SURE! - hybrid event
Seminar dedicated to urban security professionals and policy makers to learn key takeaways and recommendations from the SURE project.
Urban Diplomacy: Cities as Partners & Innovators in Diplomacy?
DLR Projektträger and SciTechDiploHub Barcelona are organising a Brussels Talks event entitled 'Urban Diplomacy: Cities as Partners & Innovators in Diplomacy?' on Tuesday 8 November from 12:30-15:00 at 98 Rue du Trône, Brussels.
Education for Climate Days
The Education for Climate Days 2022 will happen from the 7th to 9th of November this year. Under the theme of "co-creating learning for climate resilience", each day will focus on one key Education for Climate issue.
WG Documents
Proposal for the Driving Urban Transitions Partnership
Attached is the approved concept for the Driving Urban Transitions Partnership.
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.
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
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.
Deadline extension: application for the Cities Mission Twinning Learning Programme
Deadline extended until 7 June! Cities across the EU and Horizon Europe Associated Countries can apply to join the EU Cities Mission’s Twinning Learning Programme between 8 April and 7 June 2024. Facilitated by the NetZeroCities project, in which ERRIN is a partner, the Twinning Learning Programme will pair applicants with the second cohort of Pilot Cities, who act as innovation hubs to pursue activities related to rapid decarbonisation.
Enhancing Baltic Sea Region District Heating through Transnational Collaboration and Technological Innovations
A consortium of Danish and Ukrainian partners is searching for additional partners from Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia for the Interreg Baltic Sea call. The project will focus on fostering transnational collaboration, sharing best practices, and adopting innovative technologies to optimise district heating operations, reduce carbon footprints, and enhance energy efficiency. The deadline for expressions of interest is 17 April.
The third Call for Proposals of the European Urban Initiative- Innovative Actions is now open
The third EUI-Innovative Actions (EUI-IA) Call for Proposals is now open and will close on 14 October 2024 at 14.00 CEST, with an allocated indicative budget of EUR 90 million ERDF. The call is targeting innovative projects focusing on two topics: 'energy transition' and 'technology in cities'.
Apply for the European Green Capital & European Green Leaf Awards 2026
European cities committed to sustainability are encouraged to apply for the 2026 edition of the European Green Capital and Green Leaf Awards before the deadline on 30 April 2024. The Awards promote and reward the efforts of European towns and cities that strive to reduce their impact on the local and global environment, improving the quality of life for their inhabitants.
23 new Mission Cities awarded the Mission Label
During a dedicated session at the EU Research & Innovation Days, 23 new cities part of the EU Mission on 100 climate-neutral and smart cities were awarded the Mission Label for their plans to achieve climate neutrality by 2030. ERRIN is pleased to see that 15 cities are located in ERRIN member regions.
Latest Updates
- By Heidi Johansson
Smart Cities WG questionnaire: Impacts of the Cities Mission
The Smart Cities WG is launching a questionnaire to collect input from members on the added value and impact of the Cities Mission on the local, regional and national level, which will be used in ERRIN's response to the European Commission's public consultation on the Horizon programmes. The deadline for responding to the questionnaire is Friday 27 January.
- By Robin Bruck
Degewo is looking for municipal housing companies active in / interested in circular construction
The municipal housing company Degewo, majority owned by the State of Berlin, is looking for municipal housing companies that are active in circular construction and implementing circular economy approaches. Given that municipal housing companies face certain requirements and limitations compared to their privately owned counterparts, Degewo would like to exchange with and learn how others are approaching this topic.
- By Silvia Ghiretti
Call for expression of interest in HORIZON-MISS-2023-CIT-01-01
ERRIN is calling for expression of interest in the Horizon call HORIZON-MISS-2023-CIT-01-01. Express your interest by Monday 16 January.
- By Ewa Chomicz
Management Board elections 2022 – results
Between 3 and 17 October, ERRIN members could put forward their candidatures for this year’s ERRIN Management Board elections. Five new Management Board members were selected and approved at the Autumn Annual General Meeting on 8 December.
- By Agnieszka Wieczorek Jetha
NEB funding opportunities for 2023 and 2024 published
The New European Bauhaus (NEB) initiative is supported by a combination of different EU financing instruments. The overview of the available support for the years 2023-2024 has been just updated on the NEB website.
- By Gianpiero Petruzziello
Call for local partners - SHARED GREEN DEAL project
SHARED GREEN DEAL project is offering local authorities, regional authorities and not-for-profit organisations the opportunity to apply for a €22,000 grant to implement local actions focussing on the behavioural, social and cultural dimensions of the European Green Deal. Deadline for applications is 31 January 2023.