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
Bridging the Gap between the EU's 2040 Climate Goals and the Shortage of Skilled Labour – Towards Climate Neutral and Smart Cities
As the EU sets ambitious climate targets for 2040 and aims for climate neutrality by 2050, the demand for a skilled workforce in Europe becomes increasingly urgent. At this event, we will explore the solutions U!REKA and its partner network can offer to support the EU in achieving its climate objectives while addressing skills shortages across the Union. The event will take place at Helsinki's EU Office in Brussels, 14 April 18:00-20:00.
The Role of Art in the NEB-inspired Urban Transition
The CrAFT project is hosting an event looking at the role of art as a powerful tool for engaging the public in conversations about advancing our cities. A panel of experts drawn from diverse backgrounds will explore how art and creativity can effectively convey the impact of innovation in physical spaces – platforms – that the city would manage. How should such a space look and function, and what are some examples of good practice?
DUT Conference 2024: Driving Urban Transitions through Joint Action
The Driving Urban Transitions (DUT), a European Partnership committed to supporting cities in their journey to become sustainable, resilient, and inclusive, is hosting its biennial policy conference, bringing together urban leaders, practitioners, researchers, investors, and visionaries at the forefront of sustainable urban transition. The event will be taking place in Brussels from 10-12 April.
Northern NEB Lights - The Power of Narratives
Before diving into the NEB Festival in Brussels, NEB-STAR and DESIRE invite you to the third event of the Northern NEB Lights series. We will meet in Brussels and online to promote dialogue and debate around the implementation of NEB values in the Nordic context.
Territories in ACTION
Following the launch of the ACTIONbook in January 2024, the JRC and CoR are organising an event to present the publication alongside insights from several territories on their innovative place-based transformations. As the ACTIONbook builds on the experiences from the PRI Pilot Action, next steps linked to this initiative will also be shared.
Festival of the New European Bauhaus
Organised by the European Commission in cooperation with the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, this year's New European Bauhaus festival invites everyone to embark on a 5-days journey of creativity and collaboration exchange on your visions with people from Brussels and across the globe. Join the Festival of the New European Bauhaus on 9-13 April.
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
DT4REGIONS Award- Voting now open for Public's Favourite Award
In response to the call for applications for the DT4REGIONS Award, 34 AI and Big Data solutions have been submitted. A dedicated jury has selected 12 solutions on the basis of five criteria. Voting for the Public's Favourite Award is open until 12:00 on 19 May.
Angers Loire Métropole is looking for a Consortium Coordinator and partners on transformative solutions to protect critical infrastructure from climate change, mainstreaming nature based solutions (HORIZON-MISS-2023-CLIMA-01-02)
Angers Loire Metropole (France, 310 000 inhabitants), is looking for a Consortium Coordinator and partners (including regions/agglomeration from Southern Europe for heat and drought related topics) for the call of the EU Mission Adaptation to Climate Change "Testing and demonstrating transformative solutions to protect critical infrastructure from climate change, mainstreaming nature based solutions" - HORIZON-MISS-2023-CLIMA-01-02
ERRIN Spring AGM 2023
Save the date for ERRIN’s 2023 Spring Annual General Meeting (AGM), which will take place on 22 June from 14:30-18:00 CET, followed by a networking reception. We are happy to announce that this year the event will be held in person with online streaming available, and will be hosted at Scotland Europa Office in Brussels.
Call for Application: Voices of Culture - CCIs driving Green Transition and facing the Energy Crisis – 6 April to 3 May
Voices of Culture, the platform for dialogue offered to civil society by the European Commission, is inviting interested organisations from EU member states to apply to participate in the upcoming topic on Culture and Creative Sectors and Industries driving Green Transition and facing the Energy Crisis.
NetZeroCities Call for Twin Cities opening on 3 May
On 3 May 2023, NetZeroCities, in which ERRIN is a partner, will launch a Call for Twin Cities. This Twinning programme is a tailored learning programme for knowledge sharing and transfer of good practices between European cities, selected as Twins, and the 53 cities that were selected to join the NetZeroCities’ Pilot Cities Programme in March 2023. Applications will be accepted from 3 May until 30 June 23:59 CEST.
Toulouse Métropole is looking for partners on urban greening and renaturing (HORIZON-MISS-2023-CLIMA-CITIES-01-01) for urban regeneration, resilience and climate neutrality
Toulouse Métropole (France, 800 000 inhabitants) is looking for a Consortium Coordinator for the joint call of Adaptation to Climate Change and Cities Missions: Urban greening and renaturing for urban regeneration, resilience and climate neutrality (HORIZON-MISS-2023-CLIMA-CITIES-01-01).
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.