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
KEP 2.0 workshop - Building Synergies for Successful Green and Digital Transitions – The Way Ahead
The European Committee of the Regions and the European Commission are organising the first Knowledge Exchange Platform (KEP) event of the year. The workshop will take place on 22 June 2022, in person in Brussels. ERRIN Director Pirita Lindholm will moderate one of the two discussion sessions on "Ongoing or future strategies and initiatives".
MOSAIC Workshop - Integrating the private sector into the Cities Mission
The MOSAIC project, in which ERRIN is partner, is organising its first Community of Practice workshop. The event will run from 09:30 - 13:00 CEST on Tuesday 14 June at ERRIN Office in Brussels and will be followed by a networking lunch. Pilot Cities, Replicator Cities and the wider Community of Practice, as well as Brussels-based colleagues, are welcome to attend.
New European Bauhaus Festival: Sustainable and Inclusive City Districts
As a proud part of the the New European Bauhaus Festival, Stockholm Region EU Office presents the official side event together with the Stockholm Green Innovation District (SGID): "How to shape a sustainable and inclusive city district with innovative and climate neutral solutions by and for citizens".
Designing fruitful cooperation for shaping the New European Bauhaus
The Hauts-de-France Region, Lille Metropole, the Silesian Voivodship and the Region of Brussels capital are oganising the event "Designing fruitful cooperation for shaping the New European Bauhaus" in Brussels on 9 - 10 June during the NEB festival.
Circular buildings – constructing differently and sustainably
Join 'Circular buildings – constructing differently and sustainably' event to hear best practices from the Nordic capitals and capital regions and to discuss challenges related to circular buildings and construction as well as how to close building material loops by reusing, repairing and recycling materials. The event is an official #EUGreenWeek partner event.
Improving air quality together. LIFE IP PrepAIR: project’s achievements and main results
The international conference "Improving air quality together" will be organised by the Emilia-Romagna Region on 31 May to present the main LIFE IP PrepAIR project’s achievements and results. The LIFE IP PrepAIR project aims to improve the air quality in the Po Valley, Northern Italy, and in Slovenia. Participation in the event is possible in person and online.
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
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'.
Apply for the European Green Capital & European Green Leaf Awards 2026
European cities committed to sustainability are encouraged to apply for the 2026 edition of the European Green Capital and Green Leaf Awards before the deadline on 30 April 2024. The Awards promote and reward the efforts of European towns and cities that strive to reduce their impact on the local and global environment, improving the quality of life for their inhabitants.
Horizon Europe strategic plan 2025-2027 is out
On 20 March, the Commission adopted the second Horizon Europe strategic plan. The plan sets out three key strategic orientations for the EU's research and innovation funding for the last three years of the programme (2025-2027). Find out what novelties the new strategic plan brings.
23 new Mission Cities awarded the Mission Label
During a dedicated session at the EU Research & Innovation Days, 23 new cities part of the EU Mission on 100 climate-neutral and smart cities were awarded the Mission Label for their plans to achieve climate neutrality by 2030. ERRIN is pleased to see that 15 cities are located in ERRIN member regions.
Partner Search Interreg Europe – Tuscany Region - Exchange of experiences on affordable housing enhancement
Project Title - Affordable Housing Enhancement and Regional Oversight for European Sustainability (HEROES) The project aims to equip authorities with the necessary tools and knowledge to establish a sustainable housing policy that harmonizes public and private efforts within comprehensive planning.
Express your interest in the 3rd Interreg Europe call via the ERRIN Project Development Tool
Interreg Europe's 3rd call for proposals, launched on 20 March, supports interregional cooperation projects addressing common regional development challenges. Organisations can use the ERRIN Project Development tool to express interest and find partners. The call is open until 7 June 2024.
Latest Updates
- By Gaia Ialisa Marotta
The City of Eindhoven is searching for a consortium for the Mission Call Urban Planning
Eindhoven is interested in joining a consortium. We have experience and expertise on Digital twinning and would like to develop this further in the context of this call
- By Hilary Webb
Become a partner of the 2022 EU Regions Week
The 20th edition of the European Week of Regions and Cities will take place from 10 - 13 October this year. To start preparations for the conference, applications for EU Regions Week partners are now open.
- By Ewa Chomicz
8th Cohesion Report: findings on regional innovation in Europe
The European Commission has published the 8th Cohesion Report: Cohesion in Europe towards 2050. According to the findings, while the Cohesion policy has, in general, helped to narrow territorial and social disparities between regions in the EU, the regional innovation divide in Europe has grown.
- By Hilary Webb
Celebrating ERRIN's Cities Mission work so far as 377 cities express interest
A week on from the deadline, it's confirmed that 377 cities submitted an Expression of Interest to the Horizon Europe Mission for climate-neutral and smart cities. Read about ERRIN and its projects' work on the Mission so far.
- By Anthony Van de Ven
The New European Bauhaus – shaping a greener and fairer way of life
The core of the project we have in mind centres around the development of a cohesive community within a neighbourhood that is strongly rooted in a respect for the past and uses this cultural heritage as a basis to instil an awareness of the environmental value of the place, which needs to be preserved for the future, and as a basis for social cohesion. The physical instrument we will use is the common space that the inhabitants fill in. The mental instrument we use will be a process of development, by inhabitants, supported by artists and designers, to communicate the value of the area to others.
- By Ewa Chomicz
ERRIN welcomes new network Chair and Vice-Chairs
The ERRIN Management Board has appointed a new Chair and two Vice-Chairs, who together form the Troika. New Troika will lead the Management Board in 2022-2023.