SCIFI
Smart Cities Innovation Framework Implementation
Priority Axis
Technological and Social InnovationSpecific objective
Framework Conditions for Innovation
Lead partner
Stad MechelenContact
Start Date
01/07/2017End Date
31/12/2021Project budget
3 165 503 €ERDF amount
1 899 302 €ERDF rate
60%About
Common challenge
The market for public sector open data in Europe is €22,1B (EC 2015). Regional Smart Specialisation Strategies (RIS3) encourage smart innovation. Eg the private sector has data-based technologies available that can reduce traffic by directing cars to available parking. 2Seas cities are looking for solutions like these for their congested centres. However, the 2Seas innovation sector faces shared public sector challenges in unlocking this value for businesses, triggering region-wide brain drain.
The market failure is mainly within 2Seas cities in opening up datasets and using innovative procurement. SCIFI partners (4 cities, 2 international open data experts, and 2 business networks) identify the need for transnational framework conditions that 1) create a cross-border market that gathers the fragmented resources of cities and smart innovation potential of businesses and 2) increase the capacity of cities to activate the dormant demand for smart public services.
Overall objective
Main outputs
Cross border approach
Main Achievements
The first cycle of the accelerator programme that started in 2018. Mechelen (BE), Bruges (BE), Delft (NL) and Saint-Quentin (FR) defined their urban challenges and in 2019 selected solution providers to drive the 8 pilots. Cities were supported by knowledge partners Agoria in one of the most difficult steps: signing a contract that fits the ambition for replicable, cross-border documents and tools and by the University of Southampton for open data innovation.
For 6 months, prototypes were developed and the solution providers were delivered training and modules, supervised by experienced partner Faubourg Numérique. In the meantime, additional urban challenges for the second accelerator programme were defined. In Summer 2019 most pilots were finalised and presented at local support groups and smart city events throughout Europe, coordinated by Cambridge CleanTech.
A similar process took place for the second accelerator programme, and in January 2020, 7 pilots were launched. Unfortunately, the pilots faced delays and difficulties with the COVID outbreak and the wave of lockdowns in Europe. Nonetheless, SCIFI partners managed to continue the project successfully by 1) extending the pilots, 2) increasing the visibility of the project by presenting and representing SCIFI at events and conferences and 3) documenting learnings (e.g. update of guidance documents).
More importantly, they have actively started transnational deployment and scale up activities with the writing of the project's legacy: the SCIFI cookbook. A short book giving the main success ingredients for making small and mid sized cities into smart cities. Eventually, the learnings will also be sustained through the involvement of SCIFI partners in European Digital Innovation Hubs.
Finally, the SCIFI cross border cooperation is showing its fruits with the procurement of 4 solutions from SCIFI pilots and implementation in SCIFI cities and beyond (e.g. watering solution in St-Quentin, FR; smart waste solution Delft, NL; smart cycling in Antwerp, BE and bike dashboard in Rotterdam-The Hague Metropolitan Area, NL).