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
Information session - Learn about the DS4SSCC Call for Pilots
This online Info Session will allow participants to get introduced to the overall framework of the DS4SSCC Call for Pilots, the pilots support activities as well as the monitoring of their progress and impact. The session will conclude with a Q&A session. The webinar will take place on 12 June, 10:30-12:00.
Energy communities – New business models for sustainable housing
Together with representatives from the European Commission, Housing Europe, the energy community company Via Europa and the Swedish municipalities of Lund and Örebro would like to invite you to a seminar on energy communities. There will be discussions on the role of energy communities from an EU perspective as well as sharing of knowledge and experience from two successful projects in Sweden. The seminar will take place in Nordic House, Rue du Luxembourg 3, 1000 Brussels on 11 June, 18:30-20:00.
European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW)
The 2024 edition of the European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) will take place from 11 to 13 June 2024 in Brussels and online. The theme for EUSEW 2024 will be “Net zero energy solutions for competitive Europe”.
Presentation of the Interregional Partnership on Virtual and Smart Cultural Tourism
You are cordially invited to a presentation on the Interregional Partnership on Virtual and Smart Cultural Tourism, spearheaded by our colleagues from Thuringia. The event will take place in Brussels on 05 May, 10:00 - 12:00.
2nd C4T Conference: Sustainability Transitions in Cohesion Policy: From Policy to Practice
The C4T Community of Practice is a community-based platform that aims to support EU Member States and regions to make a better use of EU funds for sustainability transitions. With this in mind, DG REGIO and the C4T Secretariat will be hosting the second edition of the C4T Conference "Sustainability Transitions in Cohesion Policy: From Policy to Practice" on 4 June 2024, in Brussels and online.
Living-in.EU WG Meeting - Information session on EU initiatives related to monitoring and measuring digital transformation
The Monitoring and Measuring Working Group of Living-in.EU is organising its first meeting in 2024 on Friday 31 May 2024, from 11:00 to 13:00 (CEST). This event will be held online only and will be open to all interested participants. The meeting will tackle the existing initiatives and projects implemented at European, regional and local levels to measure and monitor digital transformation.
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
Pathways2Resilience: First Call for Regions and Communities- Deadline extended until May
Pathways2Resilience (P2R), an ERRIN project, has opened its first call for Regions and Communities for subgrant applications to co-design visions of a climate-resilient future and transformative adaptation pathways that will ensure long-term impact. The first call has had the deadline extended until 6 May 2024 12:00 CEST. Following updated guidance from CINEA, UK regions are now eligible to apply.
Test bed on NEB Food Innovation looking for consortium to join
A Testbed on NEB Food Innovation is looking for consortium to join: Transforming an old factory building into a “food experience factory” in accordance with NEB principles.
A look forward: Launching ERRIN reflections on regional dimension in R&I post-2027
Autumn 2023 marked the start of ERRIN’s targeted reflections on regional dimension in research and innovation in the new EU Multiannual Financial Framework post-2027, relating to the next EU Framework Programme for R&I (FP10) and future cohesion policy. We are offering a recap of our activities so far, first messages and planned next steps.
Management Board elections 2023 – results
Following the call for nominations for ERRIN Management Board held between 20 September and 5 October, we are happy to announce the nominated Management Board members. The five nominees will be approved as new Management Board members at the ERRIN Extraordinary General Meeting on 16 November.
Release of LORDIMAS, a digital maturity assessment tool for Regions and Cities
During the European Week of Regions and Cities 2023, a dedicated session was organised to launch LORDIMAS, a digital maturity assessment helping local and regional governments to understand where they are in their digital transformation journey. The tool is now accessible online.
ERRIN at the EWRC 2023
The European Week of Cities and Regions (EWRC) has come to an end. This year’s edition has been particularly rich in ERRIN’s involvement, with the Secretariat co-organising four events, promoting projects, and the Working Group Leaders participating in several panel discussions.
Latest Updates
- By Rodolphe Doité
ICT WG: Call for examples on Artificial Intelligence strategies at local and regional levels
The ICT Working Group is looking for examples from local and regional authorities that have adopted or are in the process of adopting a strategy on Artificial Intelligence. The examples would be presented in an upcoming meeting on “AI-related strategies at regional and local level ”, which will take place on Wednesday 12 June 2024 (14:00 to 16:00 CEST).
- By Teresa Vio
ERRIN is looking for a Head of projects - Extended Deadline
In view of the upcoming departure of ERRIN's current Director of projects, Ryan Titley, ERRIN is looking for a replacement to start in September 2024. The new colleague will work closely with the ERRIN Director on strategic planning, and lead the implementation and development of ERRIN's current and future project portfolio. Extended deadline: Applications are open until 26 May at 17.00 CEST.
- By Gaia Ialisa Marotta
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.
- By Aleksi Aho
Jamk is among the first to prepare the EU’s Net Zero Industry Academy
The European Commission proposed the Net Zero Industry Regulation in March 2023 to promote the development of net-zero technologies, specifically advancing climate-neutral and net-zero operations. Jamk also wants to contribute to goal attainment through the National Development Fund (AKKE). With this funding, Jamk launched a “Net Zero Industry Academy” project on 1 February 2024.
- By Gianpiero Petruzziello
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).
- By Ewa Chomicz
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.