World Cities Day 2025 celebrates people-centred smart cities - urban areas where technology and data work for citizens. Across Europe, ICLEI is working closely with local and regional governments, helping them put people first in their digital transformation journeys.

Through the ICLEI Action Fund, with the support of Google.org, civil society and research organisations across Europe are developing innovative, data-driven, and AI-powered projects to address pressing urban sustainability challenges like air pollution, energy poverty, and urban heat exposure. In Italy, for instance, Federsco has created the Sun4U app, which promotes the growth of renewable energy communities across the country. In Barcelona (Spain), Ecoserveis, in collaboration with the City Council, is using the My Energy app to help citizens facing episodes of energy poverty by providing tailored advice and targeted support. In Greece, the ICLEI Action Fund is backing AI- and data-driven projects in Athens, Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni and Thessaloniki to tackle energy poverty, predict wildfire propagation patterns, and promote sustainable mobility.

ICLEI’s AI Opportunity Fund, supported by Google.org and the Centre for Public Impact, trains city officials across Europe to apply artificial intelligence responsibly in local governance. Available in multiple languages, the free online course equips participants with practical skills to apply AI in their daily work, such as managing data, modelling environmental scenarios, and improving decision-making for climate action.

Through EU-funded research and innovation projects, ICLEI works closely with cities and citizens to drive data-driven climate and environmental action. The Urban ReLeaf project empowers citizens to co-create green data ecosystems for healthier and greener public spaces in Athens (Greece), Dundee (United Kingdom), Utrecht (Netherlands), Cascais (Portugal), Mannheim (Germany) and Riga (Latvia). Through TIPS4PED, cities like Turin (Italy), Cork (Ireland), Budapest (Hungary) and Kozani (Greece) are using digital twins to design Positive Energy Districts that combine innovation with community participation. The COSMIC project is scaling AI-driven solutions that help cities use energy and resources more efficiently, supporting the goals of the EU Green Deal.

In Germany, ICLEI’s work with the Coordination and Transfer Office for Model Projects Smart Cities (KTS) is helping municipalities adopt standards and share knowledge nationwide, with ICLEI colleagues also facilitating a Smart City Academy module on standardisation.

These efforts - and many more - reflect ICLEI Europe’s vision for a green digital transformation that makes cities sustainable, inclusive and ready for the future.

Find out more about how ICLEI Europe is shaping people-centred smart cities here.