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
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Latest Updates
- By Lucy Hammond
Draft Horizon Europe 2023-24 work programmes published
The European Commission has published the draft 2023-2024 Horizon Europe work programmes. The drafts have not yet been adopted or endorsed by the European Commission, but have been made available to provide potential participants with the currently expected overview of this work programme.
- By Anonymous
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.
- By Robin Bruck
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.
- By Ewa Chomicz
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!
- By Gianpiero Petruzziello
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.
- By Gianpiero Petruzziello
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.