Connecting Regions: The International Workshop on Smart Cities

In today's rapidly evolving landscape, cities and municipalities are confronted with a multitude of challenges. On their way to smart cities and regions, they increasingly rely on innovative and digital solutions to tackle issues spanning mobility, energy consumption, and tourism. In Saxony alone, with its 418 municipalities, over 80 percent of which have fewer than 10,000 inhabitants, the task of equipping local actors with knowledge of recent technological trends is paramount. Facilitating active exchanges among stakeholders becomes crucial in navigating these complexities.

At EDIH Saxony, we are committed to addressing this challenge head-on. Furthermore, in this era of globalisation, embracing an international perspective is vital for effectively tackling such innovative and widespread topics. By fostering collaboration and embracing diverse perspectives, we aim to drive forward the transformation towards smarter, more resilient cities and regions.

EDIH Saxony tackled this challenge by orchestrating a grand international workshop centered around the theme of "Smart Cities & Regions".

In a remarkable display of collaboration, the event was co-organized with partner-EDIHs in Brandenburg/Germany, Poland, and Czech Republic. Leveraging the unique expertise of each EDIH, the workshop meticulously addressed regional particularities.

The agenda boasted a lineup of esteemed speakers, including high-level representatives from regional government and municipal administration, which enabled the organisation of valuable keynote sessions, as well as highly interesting pitches. The primary objective was to foster connections between municipalities and startups, with representatives from all three involved countries delivering compelling pitches. The focal points of discussion revolved around cybersecurity, energy, and mobility.

The second half of the event saw over 70 participants engaging in lively discussions across three thematic roundtables. These sessions provided invaluable opportunities for deep dives into the pressing issues facing smart cities and regions.

Closing out the event was an extensive networking session and space, allowing attendees ample time and space to forge meaningful connections and explore potential collaborations. This multifaceted approach not only facilitated knowledge exchange but also laid the groundwork for future innovation and partnerships in the realm of smart city development.

The customers were especially start-ups and municipalities from Saxony, Poland and Czech Republic. In this line, during the International Workshop “Smart Cities & Regions”, start-ups, municipalities and EDIHs benefitted from the impulses they heard in the keynote and the pitches.

• Benefits for start-ups: Throughout the program, the start-ups deep dived into the needs and challenges of the municipalities, gaining invaluable insights into the intricacies of local governance and community dynamics. This, gave them the opportunity to present their innovative solutions to them.

• Benefits for municipalities: Municipalities were not only introduced to the latest trends but also had the opportunity to engage with potential problem-solvers poised to address their unique challenges. Moreover, the program facilitated the exchange experiences, best practices, and lessons learned, fostering a collaborative environment where knowledge sharing and peer support flourished. Furthermore, the initiative actively promoted cross-border exchange between Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic, recognising the value of leveraging diverse perspectives and expertise from neighboring regions. 

• Benefits for EDIHs: The EDIHs involved in the organisation of the event experienced successful collaboration and gained valuable insights and expertise in jointly developing digital innovations. By building upon the momentum generated by this successful cooperation, the EDIHs are willing to explore further collaboration opportunities and development of joint activities.