We are extremely glad to be working on the European Commission’s Digital Challenge initiative together with Technopolis Group.

The EU initiative – Transforming regions and cities into launch-pads of digital transformation and industrial modernisation – supports local policy makers to understand the application of advanced technologies and the opportunities they provide, so that they can design flexible, future-proof policies. It also underlines the importance of a holistic approach that is motivated by strong leadership and mobilises all local actors.

According to the European Commission, the key to digital transformation remains leadership.

The consortium of led by Technopolis Group is currently developing a methodology to select the 15 cities to be supported, and the call for Expressions of Interest will be launched in the coming weeks.

EU Digital challenge

The challenge will give city leaders and key stakeholders access to high-level experts with local and international experience in designing and implementing digital transformation strategies, free of charge and in their local language for 14-18 months to achieve their goals for improving their city.

Whether equipping local talent with the digital skills needed to prosper in a changing workplace, developing a collaborative economy to springboard social cohesion and innovation, or implementing a smart parking policy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and traffic, all proposals are welcome.

Who?

The challenge is aimed at local public organisations that are either responsible for or involved in the funding and/or implementation of a policy or programme of a city related to digital transformation and industrial modernisation

Benefits

Participants will receive a set of hands-on, tailor-made advisory services throughout the course of the 14-18 month programme, including:

• Tailored advice and support from high-level experts who will be familiar with your city, its current challenges and future ambitions
• Access to tools allowing you to develop a clear understanding of what stage of digital maturity your city can currently claim and where you should be aiming to be
• Access to unique and innovative training and capacity building sessions for key staff and representatives of your city
• Dialogue with other cities in Europe who have embarked or are in the process of embarking on the same challenge, in order to exchange ideas, experiences and best practices
• Access to European networks and platforms

At the end of the challenge, your city will have:

• Developed a strategy and action plan to move towards digital transformation. This will include tangible, achievable and measurable steps to be taken in the short, medium and long term
• Built a community of local stakeholders willing to engage in the digital transformation process
• Gained exposure at a European level and established itself as a beacon for the transformative power of digitalisation
• Built a network of European peers and partners able to offer mutual support and advice in the future

Deadlines:

24 November (1st call) and latest 25 January (2nd) call. Only 15 cities will be chosen.

Register

For more information and registration, please visit the website. 

Please get in touch with us if you want to be a part of the programme, but have more questions.