Smaller and Mid-sized Cities - Challenges and solutions to scaling up the digital transformation - 11WS21426

The purpose of the event will be to look at the specific challenges and opportunities of digitalisation in smaller and mid-sized cities. Focusing in particular on the concept of interoperability as a means of accelerating digital service delivery and creating positive spill-over effects for the broader economy, we will discuss the key steps that should be taken by small and mid-sized cities or communities in their digitalisation journey and the EU tools available. Throughout the workshop, based on the Living-in.EU movement and Eurotowns experience, the participants will discuss what digital transition means in a local context, what the local challenges in implementing digital solutions are and what is needed at EU level in order to foster the localisation of the digital transformation process.

The interactive setup, including splitting into parallel sessions/break-out rooms, will allow participants to discuss particular aspects of the digital transformation at local level in detail, namely:

• Local challenges in implementing digital solutions
• EU tools to support digital transition
• Needs at EU level to foster the localisation of the digital transformation process
• Boosting the local digital ecosystem, for example through European Digital Innovation Hubs
• Measuring the effectiveness of the digital transition.