The European Commission recently launched an initiative to increase digitalisation awareness and readiness of EU communities, which aims to support all cities and regions that are in their digital transformation process, providing resources, best practices and training for the development of digitalisation strategies. The Smart Region office of Flanders, Agence du Numérique and Paradigm Brussels have joined this initiative as a member of the Smart Communities Network on behalf of Belgium.

On 2 April, the Smart Region Office will join forces with colleagues from Brussels and Wallonia for a new edition of the 'Smart Region Partner Day'. During this half-day, we will address the digital transformation of local and regional administrations, from a European perspective. Many initiatives at European level can contribute to this transformation. A goal often set is the development of a digital twin that allows data to be applied and new situations to be simulated to estimate the impact of policies. To achieve this vision, much remains to be done. During this morning, we will engage in a conversation and put on the table a number of issues raised by the Belgian local administrations themselves. We hope you are interested in participating in this discussion and that you will be able to attend on April 2nd. 

Practical information

• Date: April 2, 2025, morning
• Location: Herman Teirlinck Building, Tour & Taxis – and online
• Language: A preference for English, but everyone is free to speak their own language (FR/NL).
• Moderators: Ken Daems and Nils Walravens (Smart Region Office), and Olivier Lefevre (Paradigm Brussels)

Agenda

09:00-09:30 Welcome with coffee

09:30-09:40 Welcome | Jan Smedts, Managing Director of Digitaal Vlaanderen and Helen Koepman, Deputy Head of Unit-AI for Societal Good, European Commission

09:40-10:00 Introduction: Smart Communities in Europe |  Martine Delannoy, Digitaal Vlaanderen

An introduction on why digital transformation and good data management are becoming increasingly important for policy-making and how EU initiatives (e.g. Living-in.EU and EC Support Services) can contribute to this.

10:00-10:30 Local digital twins: a goal? 

In this section, inspiring examples from Belgium show how digital twins can contribute to climate goals. Good practices and lessons learned will be shared. 

10:30-11:10 From (open) data platforms to data spaces to local digital twins | Karl-Filip Coenegrachts, OASC

How to work with data, what is needed for it, what data spaces are and how to use them, where to find support... This part provides an overview of the evolution of data platforms towards digital twins. 

11:10-11:25 Coffee break

11:25-12:00 Interactive discussion on local digital twins | Moderator: Audrey Lebas, Smart City Institute HEC Liège

There are still many challenges regarding digital twins. The concept is also being questioned. We are talking to several cities, the Commission and the public. 

12:00-12:35 Plan your digital transformation with European support

LORDIMAS is a tool that can help measure your digital maturity and draw up an action plan. Testimonials from several cities that have used the tool. 

12:35-13:00 Support ecosystems and funding at European level | Helen Köpman, Deputy Head of Unit-AI for Societal Good, European Commission and Karl-Filip Coenegrachts, OASC.

An overview of the support made available by Europe, both in terms of ecosystem and funding. 

13:00-13:10 Next steps. Moderators close the day and give an overview of the next steps

13:10-14:00 Lunch and networking