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
Facilitating RePowerEU – Cities as Frontrunners and Facilitators in Sustainable Energy
A hybrid workshop “Facilitating RePowerEU – Cities as Frontrunners and Facilitators in Sustainable Energy” will take place on 12 October from 15.00-16.30 CEST in the frame of the European Week of Regions and Cities 2022. The session is organised in collaboration with the Helsinki EU Office and the Finnish Cities of Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa.
Regions addressing integrated sustainable urban development through cohesion policy projects
This workshop, hosted online on 12 October in the frame of the European Week of Regions and Cities, will address the various challenges of urban life and present numerous solutions and best practices in sustainable urban development which have been achieved through an integrated approach and with strong partnerships between different stakeholders.
Addressing the European digital skills gap of Regions and Cities on AI and Big Data, now for real
ERRIN's DT4REGIONS project together with the Living-in.EU initiative under the lead of ENoLL, with the support of the Computer Vision Center, are organising a joint international online workshop on 12 October 2022 from 9:30 to 11:00 CEST. The event will take place in the frame of this year's European Week of Regions and Cities.
Driving Urban Transitions Partnership Launch Event
On 4-5 October 2022 in Brussels, the Driving Urban Transitions Partnership will be officially launched with a series of sessions and speakers. The DUT Partnership steps up the game to tackle urban challenges. ERRIN has actively participated in shaping this new partnership and has also been invited to play a role in it.
Energy and Climate Change WG Meeting - People-centric Sustainable Buildings
On 30 September from 10:30-12:00, the Energy and Climate Change Working Group will host an on-site and online event on the topic of Sustainable Buildings.
OURWAY Final Conference “Greenways, a must to sustainable tourism’
Save the date for the OUR WAY Final Conference 'Greenways, a must to sustainable tourism’ that will be held on 28th September 2022, at the European Committee of the Regions, in Brussels.
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
26 additional cities selected to join the NetZeroCities Pilot Cities Programme
The NetZeroCities project, in which ERRIN is a partner, has selected 26 additional cities from 16 countries to take part in its Pilot Cities Programme. ERRIN is delighted to note that 12 cities from ERRIN member regions have been chosen, including Riga and Lyon, both supported by ERRIN’s NetZeroCities Climate Neutral Cities Advisors.
Exploring Synergies between European Partnerships and EU Missions – Mutual Learning Event
ERRIN and the TRAMI project are organising a Mutual Learning Event aiming to explore synergies between European Partnerships and EU Missions. The event will take place on Wednesday 7 February from 9:00 to 12:00 (CET) at the NCBR Brussels Office, Rue Belliard 40, Brussels.
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).
Latest Updates
- By Hilary Webb
AfterCovid-City - new global charter invites collaboration
The goal of the charter is to commit to shaping the emergent future for the role of public space for recovery in a collective way.
- By Hilary Webb
Deadline extension: CCRI call for Pilots & Fellows
The deadline to join the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI) as a Pilot or Fellow has been extended to 13 May 2022.
- By Teresa Vio
ERRIN is looking for two Climate Neutral Cities Advisors (deadline: 15 May)
ERRIN is looking for two Climate Neutral Cities Advisors to join its Secretariat! The successful candidates 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 15 May.
- 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.