Harnessing Cities and Regions in Europe’s Digital Decade | CONNECT University
Join the event to explore how cities and regions are shaping Europe’s digital future, and to hear about insights and best practices across the EU.
Cities and regions are at the heart of Europe’s digital transformation. They connect EU ambitions with citizens’ daily lives, serve as testbeds for innovation, and help bridge territorial gaps in digitalisation. This workshop will explore how stronger local and regional involvement can make the Digital Decade more inclusive, effective, and responsive to real needs on the ground. The Digital Decade Policy Programme (DDPP) is the key framework for steering and coordinating the EU’s digital transformation. With the 2026 Digital Decade Review approaching, now is the right moment to discuss how cities and regions can participate more efficiently in the effort to achieve the Digital Decade targets and objectives.
The workshop will open with Member States representatives sharing concrete experiences and practices on how national and regional authorities contribute to and shape the DDPP governance framework. A second panel will bring together municipal authorities, local actors and industry stakeholders to discuss challenges to stronger local participation, highlight success stories and showcase best practices for multi-level cooperation. The discussion will also connect to ongoing EU–local cooperation initiatives, including the newly established Citiverse EDIC, which helps cities in developing digital twins and sharing innovation for sustainable urban development projects.
An interactive session will then invite participants to contribute ideas through a live survey, identifying key barriers and priority actions to deepen local involvement in the Digital Decade. Finally, this workshop will promote engagement in the official consultation process for the 2026 DDPP Review (Call for Evidence), ensuring that local insights inform the future of the Digital Decade.
Draft agenda
Moderation: DG CNECT B2
Introduction & context (15 min)
Eric Peters (DG CNECT B2) – Presentation of the Digital Decade, its targets and objectives, the Review process, and its local dimension.
Panel 1 – Member States’ insights (40 min)
Italy and Austria representatives share views on how some national authorities are currently involving cities and regions in Digital Decade governance and coordination.
o Daniela Battista – International Relations Head Officer at the Department for Digital Transformation, Italy
o Heidi Havranek – Head of Department for International Relations and Logistics; eGovernment-Strategy, Federal Chancellery, Austria
Panel 2 – Local actors’ perspectives (50 min)
Eurocities, CEMR, the VNG association for Dutch Municipalities and cities including Bordeaux and Sofia, highlight local contributions, obstacles, and proposals for stronger multilevel cooperation.
o Chiara Venturini – Head of Digital Transformation and Economic Development at Eurocities
o Federica Bordelot – Director of Policy and Impact at the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR)
o Sophie Woodeville – Digital Project Manager, Bordeaux, France
Coffee break (15 min)
Panel 3 – Solutions and accelerators (40 min)
CitiVERSE EDIC, DG CNECT (AI for Societal Good), Connect Europe, and the European Committee of the Regions showcase practical tools, data-sharing mechanisms, and partnerships that support local delivery.
o Maarit Palovirta – Deputy Director General of Connect Europe
o Marek Bobis – Policy Officer at European Committee of the Regions
Interactive session (30 min)
Live Slido poll on governance, funding, and coordination priorities for stronger local involvement.
Wrap-up & next steps (20 min)
DG REGIO and DG CNECT summarise key takeaways, next steps, and links with the upcoming policy agenda for cities, the 2026 DDPP Review and the Call for Evidence.
Organiser
CONNECT University (DG CONNECT)
Link
Connect using this link (on 26 Nov)
