The PowerUp NetZero project supports SMEs across Europe through Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP), offering direct funding to develop innovation activities and adopt net-zero technologies to innovate and improve sustainability and digitalisation.

Two complementary funding opportunities are available, designed to support companies at different stages of their innovation journey.

CALL 1 – Business Innovation & Technology Adoption Services

Funded activities should support business process innovation linked to the integration of net-zero technologies into products, services or internal processes, working on activities such as analysis, planning and implementation.

• CALL OPENING DATE 21-05-2026
• CALL DEADLINE 30-07-2026 at 17:00 (Brussels time)

CALL 2 – Innovation Project – OPENING SOON

Funds advanced projects can be developed in collaboration with other companies, focusing on the creation, testing and validation of innovative solutions in operational or industrial environments.

• CALL OPENING TIME 16 – 06 -2026
• CALL DEADLINE 15-09-2026

TARGET NET-ZERO TECHNOLOGIES

Proposals must address at least one of the following areas:

• Solar energy
• Battery and energy storage
• Hydrogen technologies
• Sustainable biogas and biomethane
• Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)

ELIGIBILITY

The Open Calls are addressed to SMEs and start-ups established in EU Member States or countries associated with the Single Market Programme, willing to develop or adopt innovative solutions related to net-zero technologies.

WHY APPLY

Participating in PowerUp NetZero means accessing a structured programme that combines financial support, technical expertise and international collaboration. Selected companies will be able to develop concrete solutions, reduce innovation risks and strengthen their positioning in increasingly sustainability-driven market.

DISCOVER MORE

Smart Communities Tech Cluster and its European partners are launching the new edition of Partnerships for Horizon Europe (P4HEU) 2026, the international online matchmaking event designed to support consortium building for upcoming Horizon Europe calls.

The initiative connects companies, research centres, universities, public authorities, clusters and innovation stakeholders looking for project partners across Europe’s leading innovation ecosystems.

The 2026 edition will take place online in English on the following dates:

• Online Pitch Sessions: 29 September & 6 October 2026
• Online B2B Matchmaking: from 29 September to 30 October 2026

Participants will be able to schedule one-to-one meetings directly through the B2Match platform and create tailored agendas with organisations interested in future Horizon Europe collaborations.

Join the Call4Ideas

From 18 May 2026 until 25 June 2026, participants will be able to submit project ideas, expertise and collaboration interests for future Horizon Europe proposals.

Selected applicants will have the opportunity to pitch their ideas to an international audience of potential consortium partners and activate follow-up matchmaking meetings with organisations from across Europe.

Why participate

• Present your project idea to international stakeholders
• Find partners for Horizon Europe proposals
• Expand your European innovation network
• Showcase your expertise and technologies
• Explore collaboration opportunities with companies, research centres and cities

DISCOVER MORE AND APPLY NOW

For further information: networking@smartcommunitiestech.it

The Smart Communities Tech Cluster, together with a network of European partners, is pleased to announce the new edition of Partnerships for Horizon Europe (P4HEU), the international event dedicated to building project partnerships for participation in Horizon Europe calls.

The 2026 edition will take place online on 29 September and 6 October, featuring two days of presentations, networking sessions and targeted meetings among companies, universities, research centres, public authorities, clusters and European stakeholders interested in developing new collaborative projects.

Call4Ideas opens on 18 May

Starting from 18 May 2026, the Call4Ideas will officially open. This opportunity is addressed to companies, research organisations, cities and institutions interested in submitting project ideas or technological and scientific expertise for future collaboration proposals under European calls.

Selected applications will have the opportunity to be presented during the event to an international audience of potential partners, with the aim of fostering the creation of competitive consortia for upcoming Horizon Europe calls. In the days following the plenary sessions, a full agenda of B2B matchmaking meetings will also take place.

A proven format for new European collaborations

In previous editions, Partnerships for Horizon Europe engaged hundreds of participants from several European countries, confirming its role as a key appointment for organisations active in the fields of smart and sustainable mobility, energy and environment, digitalisation and data economy, urban security and resilience, innovative services and quality of life.

Further details on the application process, programme and registrations will be available soon.

For further information: networking@smartcommunitiestech.it

Info Day Webinar on 15 May AT 10:00 AM CEST for the Business Innovation Services and Technology Adoption Call

Smart Communities Cluster is pleased to share the upcoming Info Day Webinar dedicated to the PowerUp NetZero Business Innovation Services and Technology Adoption Call.

This opportunity is addressed to SMEs, start-ups, technology providers and innovation stakeholders interested in accelerating the transition towards Net Zero solutions through advanced services and technology uptake.

The initiative aims to support companies in improving competitiveness, sustainability and innovation capacity.

REGISTRATION

Agenda

• Welcome and project introduction
• Overview of the PowerUp NetZero Open Call
• Eligibility and funding conditions
• Services examples
• How to apply and evaluation process
• Q&A session
• Closing and next steps

The webinar is a valuable opportunity to learn more about the call, understand the available support services and discover how to apply.

We encourage SMEs, start-ups, clusters, business support organisations and all relevant stakeholders to join the session.

REGISTRATION

SMARCO Project: New Training Modules for Smart and Resilient Communities Launching Soon

 

The SMARCO (SMARt COmmunities Skills Development in Europe) consortium is proud to announce the official launch of its first piloting phase. This marks the transition from planning to implementation, introducing a specialised training framework designed to address technical and strategic skills gaps in European cities. The first round of piloting will roll out across six European countries, spearheaded by six leading institutions:

• Cyprus – Emphasys Centre
• Greece – Hellenic Open University
• Italy – Cefriel · Norway – Nordic Edge
• Portugal – Forave
• Spain – Politeknika Txorierri

In addition, participants based outside these countries will be able to join a “multinational” pilot organised by the European DIGITAL SME Alliance.

The pilot phase offers a curriculum specifically designed to support EU’s green and digital transitions.
Participants interested in training as a Smart City Resilience Engineer will study modules in Digital Transformation, Internet of Things, Cybersecurity, Urban Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence and Green Transition & Sustainability. Participants training as Smart City Resilient-solutions Procurer/Planner will study modules focused on Smart City Features, Work with E-Services, Work with Communities, Green Transition & Sustainability, Innovative Infrastructure Design and Project Management. SMARCO short-term courses combine academic knowledge with industry expertise to prepare professionals for real-world smart city challenges.

Participant Benefits

The piloting phase offers key benefits for students and professionals seeking to upskill or reskill:

• Free and Flexible Learning: The courses are provided free of charge and delivered in a self-paced digital format.
• Flexible Formats: Participation is available online, hybrid, or onsite depending on location.
• Recognised Certification: Successful participants will receive certificates, providing professional weight and market value across the European Union.

As Europe accelerates its digital ambitions, the need for a resilient, highly-skilled workforce has never been more urgent. SMARCO’s piloting is a definitive step toward closing the talent gap and support the development of qualified smart city professionals across Europe.

Contact person: Caterina Bortolaso, SMARCO Project Coordinator, European DIGITAL SME Alliance
E-mail: c.bortolaso@digitalsme.eu

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

This portal serves as the main communication channel for the project and presents its objectives, activities, and the territories involved in cross‑border cooperation between France and Italy.

GENESIS Thematic Workshops – Circular Economy Month

Within the framework of GENESIS – Greening Economy Network for Enhancing Sustainable Industrial Systems, an initiative funded under the I3 – Interregional Innovation Investments Instrument, a month-long series of online thematic workshops is being launched, dedicated to advancing circular economy approaches across European industrial ecosystems.

Key information

• Kick-off: 3 March 2026
• Structure: 4 thematic online sessions
• Format: Virtual
• Working language: English

The workshop series will focus on the following topics:

• Eco-design | 3 March 2026 | 10:30–12:00 (CET)
• Recycling systems and technologies | 10 March 2026 | 10:30–12:00 (CET)
• Extending product lifespans | 17 March 2026 | 10:30–12:00 (CET)
• Sustainable raw materials | 24 March 2026 | 10:30–12:00 (CET)

Objectives and target audience

The workshops are addressed to businesses, research and education organisations, public administrations and civil society stakeholders, with the aim of fostering dialogue on challenges, needs and opportunities related to circular economy practices, sustainable manufacturing and resource efficiency.

The insights and contributions gathered during the workshops will support capacity-building activities, knowledge transfer and interregional cooperation within the GENESIS project, contributing to the development of regional strategies aligned with Europe’s green transition objectives.

Registration

Register at the following link (A single registration grants access to all four workshops)

For more information click here

SMARCO Project: New Training Modules for Smart and Resilient Communities Launching Soon

Building the skills that will power tomorrow’s smart and resilient communities is the core mission of the SMARCO Project, which is developing new training modules for students and professionals involved in Europe’s urban transformation.

The piloting phase of the Short-Term Training Modules for Smart Community Resilient Engineers & Procurers/Planners will start between late February and early March 2026. The initiative is open to both students and professionals interested in strengthening and updating their skills.

Why take part in the piloting phase?

Free participation

4 hours of training per module

Self-paced learning, allowing participants to study at their own convenience

Full flexibility: online, hybrid, or in-person formats (where available)

Highly relevant for studies, career development, and professional upskilling

A chance to actively contribute to Europe’s smart urban transformation

The modules are designed for those studying or working in engineering, planning, sustainability, public administration, and related fields. This is a valuable opportunity to expand your expertise and help shape smarter, greener, and more resilient communities across Europe.

By joining the piloting phase, participants will also have the opportunity to provide feedback that will help refine the training modules, ensuring they effectively address real needs in education, professional practice, and policy-making.

Join the piloting phase and start building your smart-city skillset today

DISCOVER MORE AND APPLY

Help define the future of Smart Communities

The European-wide survey on skills for Smart Communities professionals has been launched as part of the SMARCO Project – Smart Communities Skills Blueprint for Resilient and Sustainable Cities, co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme.

The goal of the survey is to gather insights from key stakeholders across Europe to identify:

The current skills in smart communities

The emerging needs of expertises and competences

The evolution of professional roles in this fast-developing field

The project also introduces and explores two new professional profiles:

Smart Community Resilience Engineer: responsible for designing, implementing, and managing systems and strategies that improve community resilience to physical, digital, and environmental risks.

Smart Community Resilient Solutions Planner/Procurer: identifies, designs, and coordinates the deployment of innovative, tech-driven solutions that strengthen community resilience.

Participation is anonymous, takes approximately 10–15 minutes, and the survey will remain open until 19 September 2025 (23:59 CEST).

GET TO THE SURVEY

The findings will support the development of future training programs and policy recommendations to build resilient, sustainable, and tech-enabled urban environments across Europe.

The survey is coordinated by Fondazione Piemonte Innova, and will be followed by one-to-one interviews and a final validation workshop involving key stakeholders.

For more information: https://smarco.eu/

Cluster SmartCommunitiesTech signed the collaboration agreement with SCEWC 2025

We are pleased to announce that we are collaborating organization of Smart City Expo & World Congress, the leading international event dedicated to innovative technologies for smartcity, which will be held from 4 to 6 November 2025  in Barcelona.

SCEWC25 will focus on seven main tracks touching the most pressing issues facing cities: Enabling Technologies, Energy & Environment, Mobility, Governance & Economy, Living & Inclusion, Infrastructure & Building, and Blue Economy.

The event is a premier venue where a diverse community of industry executives, government leaders, researchers, and entrepreneurs gathers annually to revisit complex issues at the heart of a new model for cities and societies.

Together with its co-located events Tomorrow.Mobility, Tomorrow.Building, and Tomorrow.Blue Economy World Congress, this year’s edition will welcome over 25,000 professional visitors from more than 130 countries around the globe, 1,100+ exhibitors, 600+ speakers, and representatives from 850+ cities.

More information here.

PARTICIPATE WITH THE CLUSTER IN SCEWC 2025
Buy the ticket at this link with the 25% discount dedicated to us (or enter the code JHNYFDHC) and join us in Barcelona!

FREE ENTRY FOR OUR MEMBERS
To request passes, contact us at pec@pec.smartcommunitiestech.it.

Free entry passes to the expo will be assigned to our members based on the order of requests received