First things first: let me – also on behalf of the Smart Cities Marketplace - wish you a Happy New Year!
Despite the ongoing challenge caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, 2021 was a great year for the Smart Cities Marketplace and its wider community, with many interesting events such as the Smart Cities Marketplace Forum, Matchmaking events, Masterclasses, and Action Cluster Meetings, but also contributions to events such as the CIVITAS Forum in Aachen. 2021 also saw a number of exciting publications like the Circular Cities Solution Booklet, the Solution Booklet on E-Busses, and the Solution Booklet on Energy Communities! You will of course find them all on the Smart Cities Marketplace website, and a number of other great ones.
Now we’re in 2022 and also this year will be full of opportunities and actions for European (smart) communities, towns and cities. The Smart Cities Marketplace is planning a series of events like the Smart Cities Marketplace Forum 2022 during which one of the two Matchmaking events of this year will take place. There will be two Masterclasses, one on March 8 and one on March 22.
I would like to seize the opportunity – also on behalf of the European Commission – to thank everyone who is involved in and supports the work of the Smart Cities Marketplace to help with the clean, just, consumer-centric, green and digital transition of European communities, towns and cities, for their great efforts and inspiring work!
Let me wish you all a successful start into the new year.
Stay healthy and stay tuned!
Georg Houben
DG Energy, European Commission