The LIFE Programme attracted international attention at the Smart City Expo World Congress, with LIFE projects taking part in the EU for Resilient Green Cities showcase alongside those from Horizon and other EU programmes.
12 LIFE projects from all over the EU were among 26 urban initiatives showcasing Europe’s commitment to resilient, inclusive and smart urban transformation at the Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. With more than 27 000 professional visitors from 150 countries in attendance, the event was an ideal opportunity for LIFE to spotlight projects helping to create cities with a brighter future.
As well as LIFE projects, the EU hub for networking and sharing knowledge about energy, mobility, digitalisation and citizen engagement featured Horizon Energy, Horizon Transport and the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) projects under the banner EU for Resilient Green Cities.
Among the highlights of the 3 day event was The New European Bauhaus: designing sustainable and inclusive urban futures, jointly organised by CINEA and the European Urban Initiative. Marta Reguilón del Monte from technical support company Eurovértice shared the experiences of 3 projects — LIFE GreenMe5, LIFE Bauhausing Europe and LIFE SeedNEB. These pioneering examples of urban social innovation and city participation are, she added, transformational examples at local level of ‘co-creation, innovative materials and multi-level governance’ inspired by the New European Bauhaus.
‘This week, Barcelona has become the global meeting point for those working towards a more sustainable, efficient and people-centred urban future,’ said Reguilón del Monte. ‘And, of course, we couldn't miss it! Our experiences with the LIFE Programme, show how design, sustainability and inclusion can, and should, go hand in hand in the transformation of our cities. We continue to be in the spaces where the most inspiring ideas are shared to improve your projects and contribute to a more innovative, humane and sustainable urban model.’
Working across 5 European cities, the 4-year, €2 million LIFE GreenMe5 project is turning the Green City Accord into reality in Murcia and Cieza (Spain), Arezzo (Italy), Vilnius (Lithuania) and Helsingborg (Sweden) by promoting the voluntary Accord and helping municipal authorities manage 5 urban challenges: water, air, waste, noise and nature. The €4.6 million LIFE Bauhausing Europe, which also runs for 4 years, is transforming run-down neighbourhoods by renovating public buildings in Cartagena and Blanca (Spain), Adazi (Latvia), Varazdin (Croatia) and Erzsebetvaros (Hungary). With a total budget of €3.2 million, LIFE SeedNEB — which runs until 2028 — promotes nature-based solutions including urban forestry, green roofs and walls, tree-lined streets, meadows and hedges to improve the health and wellbeing of both people and nature in Lorquí (Spain), Potenza (Italy) and Dunaújváros (Hungary).
‘All three projects share the goals of the New European Bauhaus to create urban sustainability and quality of life,’ adds Marisa Sánchez, Communication Advisor from CINEA. ‘LIFE projects support European cities to transform citizens’ experiences of urban living. They show what is possible when vision meets action.’
Also featuring under the EU for Resilient Green Cities umbrella was the European City Facility, which has provided €60 000 to more than 400 local governments and authorities to help them develop their clean energy transition. Since 2021, more than €150 million has been allocated to 46 LIFE projects across all Member States. Among the other LIFE projects represented in Barcelona were those funded under the LIFE Clean Energy Transition (CET) sub-programme including POWER UP, COMANAGE, ENCOM Hub, Plan4COLD, ESCALATE, LIFEstreamSAVEplus, InEExS and GENERA, as well as Big4LIFE. Together with other initiatives by Horizon Energy, Horizon Transport and EMFAF, they support the European Green Deal, Fit for 55, New European Bauhaus, Smart Cities Marketplace, Green City Accord and the 2050 long-term climate strategy.
Author: European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency
Original article link: https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/news-events/news/life-smart-city-expo-world-congress-2025-11-25_en
