The European Week of Regions and Cities has come to an end, with UCEEB once again playing an active role. What position will cities hold in European innovation projects after 2028, and how can they prepare for the upcoming changes?
It is no secret that preparations for the next programming period are dominated by broader systemic issues. This applies to energy as well as other sectors. Energy networks, hydrogen, batteries and the integration of renewable energy sources are at the forefront. While the ongoing Cities Mission places emphasis on the leading role of cities until 2027, their position from 2028 onwards is currently far less clear.
UCEEB, which collaborates with Czech cities (Prague, Kladno, Karviná, Hradec Králové, Žďár nad Sázavou and others) on numerous Horizon projects, is therefore closely analysing the situation and advocating through European partner networks to ensure that the importance of cities in innovation projects does not diminish.
"It is clear that cities will now have to fight harder for their involvement. Our task is to ensure that they have a clear and meaningful role in projects. They are not merely 'testing grounds' for innovation; they should actively co-create innovations with us and help spread them effectively across the country," says Michal Kuzmič, who represented UCEEB in the accompanying programme of the Smart Cities Joint Programme of the European Energy Research Alliance.
Cities will undoubtedly retain a key role in our projects at the building and district levels, serving as living laboratories and demonstration sites. They can contribute to reducing the vulnerability of infrastructure and residents to energy shocks. To continue participating in European innovation projects, cities will need to increasingly join forces in practically and thematically oriented networks and strengthen cooperation within their regions.
The importance of regions in implementing innovations will continue to grow, as emphasised by Francesco Molica from the EURADA association. Over the past year, UCEEB has therefore strengthened its cooperation in facilitating innovation opportunities beyond Prague and the Central Bohemian Region, extending its activities to all other regions, particularly the Ústí nad Labem and South Moravian Regions. This has been made possible through the Centre for SMART and Resilient Regions project, CESMOD (TA ČR SIGMA programme).
"We are already working with regions to prepare for a period in which they, together with cities, will form a stable foundation for innovation project consortia," says Michal Kuzmič.