Leveraging the potential of local innovation – Covenant of Mayors – Europe cities showing the way

Cities play a key role in creating a supportive ecosystem for technology, innovation, learning, and knowledge by bringing together citizens and different partners from universities and research institutes to local businesses and SMEs. In this workshop, we will focus on how Covenant of Mayors – Europe signatories are leveraging on this potential and creating their own innovation ecosystems for the climate and energy transition.

This online workshop will start with a presentation of findings, trends and gaps, on how cities in Europe have integrated innovation in their Sustainable Energy & Climate Action Plans. It will continue with three examples from signatories (in Europe and beyond) to see how innovation actually translated on the ground. Participants will then be invited to join a practical exercise in breakout rooms, and discuss concrete challenges and possible solutions, by addressing questions such as: how to secure budget for experimentation? How to sustain innovation beyond EU funding? How to include innovation in city planning?

Objectives of the workshop:

• Translate innovation: what does it mean for cities? 
• Discuss concrete challenges (how to secure budget for experimentation? How to sustain innovation beyond EU funding? How to include innovation in the city planning?)
• Show different approaches implemented in cities (How to develop pilot projects with private financing? City/University partnerships: what does science-based inspiration look like? What can innovation look like in different contexts?)

Interested in this event? Find out more about the full programme and register here.