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
Smart Cities WG meeting: Initiatives supporting the implementation of the Cities Mission
This Smart Cities WG meeting aims to provide an overview of initiatives that can support cities in the implementation of the Cities Mission, while exploring links and synergies between them. The Mission Secretariat will present the current state of the mission as well as its outlook in terms of funding opportunities and links to other EU initiatives and policies. Finally, the ERRIN Secretariat will give an update on its work within the NetZeroCities project. The meeting will be a physical event taking place on 20 October between 15:00-17:00.
MOSAIC's roadmap for co-creation
The MOSAIC project, in which ERRIN is a partner, is organising a workshop for its Community of Practice to introduce the MOSAIC's Roadmap for co-creation in the context of the Cities Mission. The event will take place online 20 October 2022 from 10:00 to 12:00 CEST.
Digital Europe Programme Info Day - Deployment of the Data Space for Smart Communities
Information day on the Digital Europe Programme topic "Data Space for Smart Communities - Deployment". Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and present project ideas for proposals.
Translating EU Missions into regional policy
The TRAMI project and ERRIN are organising a mutual learning event on 18 October. The event will aim to showcase a successful translation of the EU Missions approach into concrete policies and tools on the regional level and to foster the discussion on challenges and opportunities with its implementation.
Covenant of Mayors Investment Forum - Energy Efficiency Finance Marketplace
The Covenant of Mayors Investment Forum – Energy Efficiency Finance Market Place annual conference will be held this year on 18 October in Brussels. The event will showcase successful projects on financing energy efficiency, climate adaptation and innovative energy planning.
Delivering 100 Smart and Climate Neutral Cities by 2030
Stockholm, Valencia, Angers Loire Métropole, and Copenhagen are four of the cities selected for the Mission Climate Neutral and Smart Cities. These 4 cities are hosting an event on 17 October that will provide inspiration to experts and policymakers, from cities and regions around Europe and beyond, looking to reinforce their own efforts and get new ideas.
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
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.
MOSAIC wraps up a successful co-creation journey with EU cities
In a dynamic two-day event held on 21 and 22 November, MOSAIC, project in which ERRIN is a partner, successfully hosted its final event 'Co-creation in EU Missions'. City representatives, European Commission policy officers, researchers, private sector representatives and co-creation experts converged to delve the immense potential of co-creation in addressing complex challenges, particularly those posed by the Horizon EU Missions. Learn more and discover the MOSAIC resources available for cities.
Pathways2Resilience: First Call for Regions and Communities- Deadline extended until May
Pathways2Resilience (P2R), an ERRIN project, has opened its first call for Regions and Communities for subgrant applications to co-design visions of a climate-resilient future and transformative adaptation pathways that will ensure long-term impact. The first call has had the deadline extended until 6 May 2024 12:00 CEST. Following updated guidance from CINEA, UK regions are now eligible to apply.
Test bed on NEB Food Innovation looking for consortium to join
A Testbed on NEB Food Innovation is looking for consortium to join: Transforming an old factory building into a “food experience factory” in accordance with NEB principles.
Latest Updates
- By Heidi Johansson
Call for examples related to the Cities Mission’s Expression of Interest
The Smart Cities working group will in September organise an information session on the call for Expressions of Interest, which will be launched by the European Commission in early autumn within the frame of the Mission on climate-neutral and smart cities. As part of this meeting, the WG is now collecting inspirational examples related to the different elements of the Expression of Interest.
- By Hilary Webb
First Horizon Europe calls launch
The first calls for proposals in the EU's new key funding programme for research and Innovation, Horizon Europe, are now open.
- By Hilary Webb
Main Horizon Europe work programme adopted
The European Commission has adopted the main work programme of Horizon Europe for the period 2021-2022. The programme outlines the objectives and topic areas that will receive a share of €14.7 billion in funding.
- By Agnieszka Wieczorek Jetha
The New European Bauhaus Prizes 2021- voting is open!
The New European Bauhaus Prizes 2021- voting is open! This initiative aims to break down boundaries between science and technology, art, culture and social inclusion, to find solutions to transform our living places and make them more beautiful, sustainable and inclusive. Vote until 18 June 2021.
- By Agnieszka Wieczorek Jetha
ERRIN event on the New European Bauhaus: open call for regional examples
ERRIN is organising a meeting on the New European Bauhaus initiative on 29 June. Express your interest if you have a concrete example of what is already happening on the ground related to the NEB and how this work could be further strengthened and accelerated through the Bauhaus initiative. Deadline for expressions of interest: 17th June.
- By Heidi Johansson
ERRIN Input to the City Mission Implementation Plan
Please find attached ERRIN's input to the Implementation Plan of the Mission on climate-neutral and smart cities.