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
Raising a Digital Twin for Green Urbanisation
In this project we aim to work together with European cities that face similar challenges, and knowledge institutions and companies that know how to develop and deploy digital twins. To develop a digital twin for green urbanisation, but also to learn from each other and develop a digital twin solution that is implementable across borders. This project aims to spur the twin green & digital transition, as also underlined in the Digital Europe work programme.
Urgent partner search for DUT 2022 Call (15 minute city). German NGO looking for existing consortium or for partners to submit own proposal short notice
Berlin-based non-profit organization with strong expertise in the (re-)design of urban spaces is looking for a consortium to submit a proposal under the 15-minute-city call ("(Re)imagine urban public spaces and streets for vibrant, sustainable neighbourhoods") under the Driving Urban Transitions (DUT) Partnership in Horizon Europe.
ERRIN Autumn AGM 2022 – Towards the Year of Skills
ERRIN’s 2022 Autumn Annual General Meeting (AGM) will take place on 8 December 14:30-18:15 CET, followed by networking drinks from 18:15 CET. We cordially invite all the network members to join us – registration is now open!
NetZeroCities - Call for Pilot Cities - Deadline Extension
NetZeroCities, project in which ERRIN is a partner, opened a Call for Pilot Cities on 5 September 2022. The Call was initially set to close on 4 November. However due to the massive interest from cities and the complexity of submitting an application, the decision has been made to extend the deadline to 15 November at 12:00 noon CET.
ERRIN annual member survey: Shape ERRIN's agenda for 2023!
All members are invited to provide input on our priorities, topics, and activities that should be addressed in 2023. Your inputs are essential as they will provide a basis for the discussions during the workshops, and for the overall planning process for 2023, which will define ERRIN’s work next year.
MOSAIC - Call for suggestions on fair citizens' rewarding in co-creation
MOSAIC project, in which ERRIN is a partner, is launching a call for suggestions on how to fairly reward citizens in co-creation, as part of the project's research activities. The call is open to all actors from the quadruple helix (companies, citizens, research organisations or public agencies) until 25 November 2022.
Latest Updates
- 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 Lucy Hammond
European Entrepreneurial Region (EER) Award call for applications
The 2024 edition of the European Entrepreneurial Region (EER) Award, promoted by the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), was launched during the European Commission's SME Assembly. Regions and cities that are ready to implement a future-oriented entrepreneurial strategy are invited to apply until 29 March 2023.
- By Agnieszka Wieczorek Jetha
3rd edition of the New European Bauhaus Prizes is open
The New European Bauhaus prizes recognise and exemplify beautiful, sustainable, and inclusive projects and support the younger generation to develop emerging concepts and ideas further. The prizes are open until 31 January.
- By Ewa Chomicz
New European Innovation Agenda: Council conclusions adopted
On 2 December, the Council adopted the conclusions on the New European Innovation Agenda. We have collected some key points highlighted by the Council and ERRIN remarks on the document. The CoR opinion on the same topic, to which ERRIN provided comments, was also adopted on 1 December.
- By Anna Grimault
T'Cap association is looking for partners for two Erasmus+ adult education cooperation projects
The association "Collectif T’Cap", along with local partners (ADAPEI Loire-Atlantique, Cercle Karré and Pickup Production) are looking for partners to participate in two Erasmus+ cooperation projects in the field of adult education. The first one aims at developing a network of hybrid places mixing cultural and economic activities for less engaged audiences, while the second one targets autonomous housing for people with disabilities.
- By Ewa Chomicz
Largest public consultation on Horizon programmes 2014-2027 now open
The Commission has launched the largest public consultation ever held on the past, present and future of the European Research & Innovation Framework Programmes 2014-2027. Stakeholders are invited to share their views on the performance of Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe, as well as shaping the strategic orientations for the Horizon Europe Strategic Plan 2025-2027. The consultation will stay open for 12 weeks, closing in February 2023.