Paradigm is a key player in digitalisation for municipalities and cities in the Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium. It focuses on strategic planning, IT consulting, training and project management in technology and telecommunications. Its goal is to enhance the region's scientific and technological capabilities and ensure coordination with EU, federal and international initiatives.  

Contact person:

Olivier Lefèvre, Mister Smartcities 

The smart city team at RISE primarily focuses on developing the "soft digital infrastructure" in the cities to build technical and organisational capacity to the extent that they can “own” (become data holder), handle and share data. Specifically they work with the MIMs; the information classification tool KLASSA owned by SALAR; guidelines for procurement of IoT systems (called RefARK); and various organisational processes and tools.

The "Smart Territories" initiative by the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP) supports local community members in their digital transformation by promoting the use of innovative technologies. This programme aims to enhance the quality of life, increase efficiency and foster sustainability in Spanish municipalities and provinces through the strategic application of digital solutions in public services such as urban mobility, waste management, e-government and more.

In the field of smart communities and digitalisation, SCN participates in several projects in the field of ICT and application of digital solutions towards a greener and more sustainable future. In particular, SCN has participated in the DECIDO Project (H2020) which aimed to support and increase capacity building of public administrations regarding the utilisation and exploitation of open data in disaster risk management and the implementation of appropriate customised evidence-based policies.

ARSC has implemented numerous projects and initiatives focused on digitalization and smart community development. Key programs include: - City Air: A program that monitors air quality in schools, raising awareness about environmental health and promoting data-driven decision-making. - Digital Inclusion Center: Aims to develop digital skills and improve access to technology and information for citizens, bridging the digital divide.

SALAR plays a significant role in supporting cities and municipalities in Sweden with digitalization and smart city initiatives such as: handshake for digitalisation; architecture, security; data-driven development; digital participation; digital infrastructure . SALAR facilitates knowledge sharing, advocates for local government interests and promotes the development of digital infrastructure and services to enhance public welfare and democratic processes. 

Contact person:

Bobo Baudin, Strategist soft digital infrastructure

UCM’s current projects include (among others) the reform of the Local Authorities, the implementation of a Unified Central Electronic Governance System for all municipalities, the provision of training for capacity building for the staff and elected representatives of local authorities. Another UCM’s important task is to encourage and to provide guidance to the municipalities for preparing Strategic Plans for their sustainable development. 

Contact person:

Ikaros Moushouttas, Head of Brussels Office of the Union of Cyprus Municipalities

The UPM has an internal group which consist of the 12 IT directors and Smart City experts from their member cities. They work and meet regularly. They prepare to build common IT infrastructure and services project in the future. They work with working groups to specialise in digitalisation topics: e.g. remote work (create IT standards in the cities), the migration to cloud computing, IT infrastructure, the data governance, competition with business about IT workers, … They prepare input for the Ministry of Digital Affairs (e.g.

With research, funding initiatives and model projects in the topic field Smart Cities, the German Federal Government supports municipalities in strategically shaping digitalisation in terms of integrated, sustainable and common good oriented urban development. On behalf of the Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building (BMWSB), the BBSR deals with questions of digital transformation in municipalities and analyses the potentials, opportunities and challenges of digitalisation for an integrated urban development. 

Contact person: