On 24 September 2024, CommuniCity hosted “Smart Communities: AI, Digital Transition and Social Change” at OpenLivingLab Days in Timisoara, Romania. This event brought together policymakers, city officials, researchers, and community members to explore how cities can leverage digital technologies to foster social innovation and increase citizen participation. Organised with the Go Li.EU project, the session featured an interactive workshop and a panel discussion. CommuniCity’s approach to identifying local challenges and co-creating digital solutions was highlighted, showcasing how technology can be integrated into urban governance with active citizen involvement.
Fostering Community-Driven Innovation
At the hearth of the event was CommuniCity’s mission to ensure digital transformation benefits all. Participants engaged in practical exercises using CommuniCity’s methodology, which emphasizes community input in digital transitions. Two manuals—the Open Calls Manual and the Piloting Manual—were presented, providing cities with tools to involve citizens in innovation processes through open calls and structured pilot projects. CommuniLab, a platform for collaboration and knowledge exchange, was also introduced.
Ethical Digitalisation in Urban Governance
The panel, moderated by Wim De Kinderen from Brainport Eindhoven EU Office, discussed the ethical implications of digital transitions. Experts from various sectors, including Josephine Di Pino (OASC), Adeeb Sidani (Porto Digital), and Silja Peltonen (Forum Virium Helsinki), addressed challenges such as data privacy and the digital divide, while exploring how big data and AI can improve public services.
A Pioneering Moment for Digital Urban Systems
A key highlight was the launch of ENoLL’s Digital Urban Systems and Solutions for Transition Urban Innovation (DUSST UI) Working Group, in collaboration with CommuniCity. This initiative aims to scale up urban digital innovation by leveraging living lab approaches, ensuring innovations are inclusive and sustainable.
Empowering Cities for a Digital Future
CommuniCity provides cities with the tools and guidance to drive digital innovation, focusing on citizen engagement and social inclusivity. By integrating community input into new technologies, CommuniCity is helping shape the future of urban digital transformation. The event at OpenLivingLab Days highlighted CommuniCity’s role in bringing stakeholders together to address the challenges and opportunities of digital transitions. CommuniCity’s work demonstrates how digital technologies can create more connected, inclusive, and socially responsive urban environments, with cities and citizens collaborating to build a digitally empowered future.
CommuniCity Third Open Call is on!
CommuniCity’s participation at the OLDD in Timișoara coincided with the launch of the project’s third open call. The call is open from 10 September to 31 October 2024, with over 60 grants available for tech companies. Seventeen cities across Europe presented 54 challenges, seeking innovative tech solutions for co-creation with marginalised communities. To learn more about the third open call, click here.
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