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
GovTech Connect Launch Webinar
The Fostering digitisation of public sector and green transition in Europe through the use of an innovative European GovTech platform (GovTech Connect) project will host its first webinar to launch their community. The webinar will take place on 17 April from 14:30 to 16:30.
Forum Rhine-Meuse "Mobility in Europe: Which solutions to a sustainable and borderless transport?"
Co-organised by Grand Est-Europe and the Representation of the State of Baden-Württemberg to the EU, the Rhine-Meuse Forum 2023: "Mobility in Europe: Which solutions for sustainable and borderless transport" is taking place on 12 April.
DT4REGIONS Blockchain Hackathon – Let’s Build the Future of Web 3.0!
DT4REGIONS, and their project partner bwcon, are holding a hybrid 'Challenges for the Blockchain Hackathon' as part of the web3week in Stuttgart and online on 22-23 March 2023. The Challenge for the Hackathon is: Renewable Energy Distribution and Management for Sustainable Municipalities.
Cities Forum 2023
The 5th edition of the Cities Forum will take place in Torino from 16-17 March 2023. It will consider current urban challenges, with a focus on green transition in cities and social inclusion.
ERRIN Intro Coffee
The ERRIN Secretariat is pleased to invite you to the upcoming ERRIN Intro Coffee, aiming to offer a concise introduction to ERRIN and its services, as well as encourage networking between members. The meeting is directed mainly towards new network members and colleagues, but all interested members are welcome to participate. Join us in person at ERRIN on 15 March!
SEFS WG Meeting: Kicking off the European Year of Skills in the ERRIN Network: State of play of the Pact for Skills and its regional dimension
This first SEFS WG meeting will kick off the European Year of Skills in the ERRIN network and is open to members of all Working Groups. ERRIN members will have an in-depth look at the Pact for Skills and we will learn about the state of play of this first flagship of the new European Skills Agenda. We will also discuss with the European Commission the regional dimension of the Pact for Skills, the Regional Skills Partnerships and showcase examples from the Lombardy Region and the European Chemical Regions Network.
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
Third NetZeroCities call for Pilot Cities now open!
NetZeroCities has opened its third and final call for cities to join the two-year Pilot Cities Programme. The call is open only to Mission Cities who are not yet part of the Pilot Cities Programme. The deadline for applications is 18 March 2024.
Innovation Fund calls to drive net-zero technologies open until April 2024
With a budget of €4 billion, the Commission has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting innovative projects that contribute to the EU’s green transition goals. The Innovation Fund 2023 calls covering sectors including decarbonisation, hydrogen, cleantech manufacturing, and maritime and energy-intensive industries are open until 9 April 2024, 17:00 (CET).
Scalable Cities Action Grant: third call for proposals open
The third call for proposals of the Scalable Cities Action Grant is open until the end of January 2024. The grant aims to financially support cities and ad-hoc partnerships that wish to replicate measures that were successfully implemented through Smart Cities and Communities projects to facilitate the transition towards climate neutrality.
The European Heritage Hub project is looking for good practices
The European Heritage Hub is collecting good practices to share throughout Europe and beyond! Administrations of a city or region are asked to submit highlights of their work in heritage in the context of the ‘triple transformation ’ – green, digital and social – of our society. Ten practices will be selected for publication and promotion through the European Heritage Hub. Cities whose good practices are selected also get the opportunity to host a peer learning visit with a delegation of 20 participants funded by the project (3 peer learning visits will take place between Q2 2024 and Q1 2025).
Available support to regions in EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change
On 12 December 2023, the ERRIN Adaptation Task Force organised a hybrid event providing an overview of the available financial and technical support for regions and communities under the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change. Here is a summary of the opportunities provided within three initiatives running under the Mission Adaptation.
ERRIN end of year reception - 2023 Highlights
On 7 December, ERRIN celebrated the network’s achievements in 2023. Following an engaging meeting with leaders of our 15 Working Groups, all ERRIN members were invited to a cocktail reception featuring a keynote from Markus Schulte, Head of Cabinet of Iliana Ivanova, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth. Check out ERRIN 2023 highlights in a 3-minute video.
Latest Updates
- By Hilary Webb
More than 65 cities from ERRIN Member Regions selected for EU Cities Mission
The European Commission has announced the 112 cities selected for the Mission on climate-neutral and smart cities. Over 65 of the selected cities come from ERRIN Member Regions. Selected cities will work together to reach climate neutrality by 2030.
- By Ewa Chomicz
EU R&I community providing support for Ukrainian researchers
In the context of the Russian aggression against Ukraine and the ongoing war, members of the EU R&I community are mobilising efforts to support Ukrainian researchers. To engage and inspire, ERRIN members are encouraged to share information about their regional activities and initiatives in support of Ukraine's R&I ecosystem on the ERRIN website, using the tag ‘Solidarity with Ukraine’.
- By Ewa Chomicz
Call for short videos on innovative regional initiatives to be presented at WIRE 2022
To highlight innovation in Europe during this year's edition of the Week of Innovative Regions in Europe (WIRE) in France, short videos will be played during the event, presenting innovative R&I related activities/initiatives/projects led by the European regions. Regions interested in showcasing their initiatives can submit the videos until 29 April 2022.
- By Astrid Hannes
Open call: European Circular Cities and Regions Initiative
Apply before 29 April 2022 to become a European frontrunning circular city or region! ERRIN is a partner in a new initiative of the European Commission, which offers first-hand tailor-made expert support to implement circular systemic solutions on local and regional scale.
- By Hilary Webb
Mission Cities: 362 eligible cities await selection this spring
The European Commission recently published a list of eligible cities that applied to the Mission on Climate Neutral and Smart Cities, who gave permission to be publicly named.
- By Ewa Chomicz
Second set of calls under Digital Europe Programme open
The second wave of calls for proposals under the Digital Europe Programme has been launched, with the deadline for applications on 17 May 2022. The funding will see an investment of over €292 million in multiple areas.