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.
Future Related ERRIN Working Group Meetings
Cities Mission – focus on sustainable urban mobility
The meeting organised by the Transport and the Smart Cities WGs will focus on the proposed mobility strategies in the Climate Cities Contracts and the measures needed to reduce emissions.
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
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.
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.
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
Mobility Transition Pathway: Open call for Stakeholders' Pledges to drive green and digital transition
The European Commission has opened an online call, inviting stakeholders from various sectors to submit pledges aligned with the Mobility Transition Pathway. This inclusive approach welcomes participation from individual companies, business associations, social partners, NGOs, and local authorities.
The Cities Mission Platform extends its support to all European cities
The Cities Mission Platform, supporting the work of the 112 Mission Cities towards climate neutrality, is now extending part of its support to any European city aiming to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 at the latest. Through this programme, cities across Europe will be able to learn from the approaches implemented by Mission Cities, engage in online and in-person city-to-city exchanges at the EU and national level, and gain access to the online Mission Portal and its resources. To better tailor the programme to the needs of cities, the platform has developed a needs-assessment survey that…
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'.
Latest Updates
- By Ewa Chomicz
Management Board elections 2022 – call for nominations launched!
Every year ERRIN holds elections for the Management Board. You can put forward your candidature for this year’s elections until 17 October.
- By Magdalena Ujejska
Małopolska Region's search for partners - Adapting cities and regions to climate change
Małopolska Region looking for partners for a project within LIFE Subprogramme Climate Action (Adapting cities and regions to climate change).
- By Ewa Chomicz
REGIONS2030: Call for expression of interest - deadline extended
The European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) is inviting European regions to express their interest to contribute to the Pilot Project "REGIONS2030: Monitoring the SDGs in the EU regions - Filling the data gaps", supported by the European Parliament. The deadline for submitting an expression of interest is now extended until 10 October 2022.
- By Gianpiero Petruzziello
Survey on the Urban Agenda
During the Swedish EU Presidency 2023, the Swedish government will arrange and lead discussions between the EU Member States about the EU Urban Agenda. Cities and regions are invited to provide input on its implementation and development by 1 November 2022.
- By Ewa Chomicz
Call for regional examples for the ICT WG meeting on digital transformation of public services
The ERRIN ICT Working Group is looking for regional examples for its upcoming networking session on the digital transformation of public services in different thematic areas. The meeting will take place in person on 13 October from 16:00-19:00 in Brussels. The call for examples will be open until 4 October.
- By Teresa Vio
ERRIN is looking for a Climate Neutral Cities Advisor (deadline: 30 September)
ERRIN is looking for a Climate Neutral Cities Advisor to join its Secretariat! The successful candidate will be tasked with providing tailored support and advice to the mission cities in their journey towards climate neutrality by 2030 and connect cities with the NetZeroCities services and expertise. Apply by 30 September!