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
Green City Accord: ceremony for signatories
The Green City Accord sees local authorities commit to ambitious environmental goals by 2030. To celebrate the involvement of the growing number of cities joining the Green City Accord community, a high-level signatory ceremony will take place online in September.
Reimagining Urban Mobility: A Shared Journey
POLIS network is organising a CEO roundtable during the European Mobility Week. Mobility leaders will gather together to define the manifesto of the Future of Urban Mobility in Europe.
Nordic Edge Expo & Conference 2021
The 2021 edition of the Nordic Edge Expo will take place this September, bringing together municipalities and city administrations to share smart solutions for cities.
Horizon Europe brokerage events
Six brokerage events are being organised to following their corresponding cluster at the Horizon Europe Info Days. The events, organised by different partners, will provide opportunities for applicants to meet, discuss their research, ideas and expertise with potential new partners and build consortia for the new Horizon Europe calls.
Horizon Europe brokerage event: Funding calls for nature-based solutions
As part of the Connecting Nature project's virtual enterprise summit, a Horizon Europe brokerage event on funding calls for nature-based solutions will be organised on 30th June between 10:00-11:30 CEST.
The New European Bauhaus - Creating sustainable living environment on local level
ERRIN has become a Bauhaus partner and set up a cross-sectoral task force to shape the New European Bauhaus initiative. As the first activity of the task force, a conversation will be hosted to discuss the objectives of the New European Bauhaus with the European Commission and provide input towards building a joint and multi-disciplinary initiative with regions and cities as its main drivers.
WG Documents
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.
Proposal for the Driving Urban Transitions Partnership
Attached is the approved concept for the Driving Urban Transitions Partnership.
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
3rd REINFORCING Open Call
REINFORCING supports European organisations and institutions in transitioning to a new paradigm where responsibility and openness drive research and innovation processes. REINFORCING Incubators Call supports organisations and territories active in contributing to European Missions by engaging relevant stakeholders, including citizens, in the R&I process and/or policies connected to one of the EU Missions.
Third Call for Proposals EUI - Innovative Actions
The third EUI-Innovative Actions (EUI-IA) Call for Proposals is launched now and will close on 14 October 2024 at 14.00 CEST with an allocated indicative budget of EUR 90 million ERDF. Each project can receive up to a maximum of 5 million EUR ERDF co-financing and project implementation should take place within a maximum period of 3.5 years.
The Forward-Looking Survey - European Urban Initiative
The European Urban Initiative (EUI) has launched a forward-looking survey to gather vital insights from urban practitioners and policymakers across Europe. This survey, hosted on Portico, aims to identify key trends, challenges, knowledge gaps and support needs in European sustainable urban development. The survey will be open from 6 June until 12 July.
ERRIN two-pager for European decision-makers
ERRIN is pleased to share a two-pager for the incoming European decision-makers, aiming to present the network and our value to the new MEPs, raising a voice for the importance of place-based R&I in the changing landscape. We encourage all ERRIN members to share the document with their MEPs to introduce ERRIN and the value of place-based R&I.
Over 70 ERRIN member regions announced as Regional Innovation Valleys
On 19 June, the Commission announced the 151 regions identified as Regional Innovation Valleys following the call for EoI and calls for proposals in 2023. 75 successful regions come from ERRIN members. RIVs will aim to strengthen the regional innovation ecosystems, bridge the innovation gap and improve Europe's overall innovation performance. New calls for proposals under Horizon Europe are expected in 2025.
EIB's Circular City Centre (C3) initiative continues: support to thrive the circular transition in cities
The European Investment Bank is launching a new support phase of their Circular City Centre (C3) scheme. The C3 targets cities and the public sector promotors on their behalf and offers advice on their circular economy agenda and investment projects. Cities can benefit from guidance documents, resources, circular city advisory and capacity building workshops and project advisory services.
Latest Updates
- By Ewa Chomicz
Guidance on synergies between Horizon Europe and ERDF is out
The guidance on new opportunities to maximise the synergies between Horizon Europe and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) programmes was published by the European Commission on 5 July 2022. The document intends to provide a practical and user-friendly approach.
- By Ewa Chomicz
ERRIN is looking for a Climate Neutral Cities Advisor (deadline: 29 July)
ERRIN is looking for a Climate Neutral Cities Advisor to join its Secretariat! The successful candidate will work to ensure the delivery of the Horizon Europe Mission on Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by taking part in the activities of the NetZeroCities project. The deadline to apply is 29 July.
- By Ewa Chomicz
The new European Innovation Agenda unveiled
On 5 July, the European Commission adopted the new European Innovation Agenda with the aim of positioning Europe at the forefront of the new wave of deep tech innovation and start-ups. The document, to which ERRIN submitted input in May this year, sets out 25 dedicated actions under five flagships, including on European Innovation Ecosystems.
- By Gianpiero Petruzziello
Follow up on Knowledge Exchange Platform (KEP 2.0) workshop
The European Committee of the Regions and the European Commission DG RTD held on 22 June in Brussels the first Knowledge Exchange Platform (KEP) event of the year, focusing on the way ahead for building synergies for successful green and digital transitions. ERRIN Director Pirita Lindholm moderated the panel discussion on ‘ongoing and future strategies and initiatives’.
- By Ewa Chomicz
DT4REGIONS Platform and Award launched
As of 1 July 2022, the first version of the DT4REGIONS Platform to enable the development of AI and Big Data solutions for regional and local public administrations will be officially released. At the same time, the DT4REGIONS Award for the best solution for digital transformation based on AI and Big Data currently in use by public administration in Europe will be launched.
- By Gianpiero Petruzziello
NetZeroCities - Call for Pilot Cities
NetZeroCities, project in which ERRIN is a partner, is launching a Call for Pilot Cities on 5 September 2022. The NZC Pilot Cities programme will test and implement innovative approaches to rapid decabornisation over a two-year period. Cities interested in this call can participate in the upcoming webinars on 4 July and 5 September.