“Inside MetaCities” Newsletter – Issue 5

07/30/2025

ICT Cluster is proud to share the latest highlights from our continued involvement in the METACITIES project, as featured in Issue #5 of the Inside MetaCities newsletter. This edition captures significant milestones in our cross-border collaboration with innovation clusters in Bulgaria, Greece, and Cyprus, as we jointly drive the digital transformation of urban spaces.

What’s in This Issue?

  1. Regional Collaboration in Action
    ICT Cluster participated in the Excellence Hubs Joint Meeting in Ioannina, Greece, bringing together a network of EU-funded initiatives including METACITIES, CHAngeing, COALition, and others. The meeting facilitated deep knowledge exchange on scaling innovation ecosystems in Southeastern Europe and aligning regional strategies.

  2. International Recognition and Outreach
    Our cluster’s work resonated globally through participation in key events such as:

  • The Smart Cities Council North America Summit in San Francisco

  • The Smart Regions Summit in Phoenix, Arizona
    At both events, the METACITIES project was presented as a model of inclusive, innovation-led urban governance. A highlight was the presentation of Bånded—an interactive citizen engagement tool that enables real-time feedback on urban conditions, strengthening community involvement in decision-making.

  1. Technology Pilots: Robotics and Digital Twins in Action
    In Patras, Greece, a live demonstration featured the integration of the Open Digital Twin Framework (ODTF) with a mobile robot (Unitree Go2). This test simulated real-time scenarios for emergency response and smart mobility, validating the use of digital twin technology in complex urban environments.

  2. Thought Leadership in Science and Policy

  • At TEDxPatras 2025, the University of the Peloponnese’s ESDA LAB presented on smart city science and its impact through the METACITIES framework.

  • At the EU-Robotics Forum 2025 in Stuttgart, our partners led sessions on 6G technology applications in smart agriculture, autonomous robotics, and citizen services—drawing direct links to future-ready smart city infrastructure.

  1. Policy Engagement and Regional Strategy
    During the CPMR-IMC Political Bureau meeting in Bari, Italy, METACITIES was recognized as a leading regional development initiative. Led by the Region of Western Greece and supported by partners like ICT Cluster, the project was featured as an example of coordinated EU innovation. A draft Memorandum of Understanding was introduced to support long-term cooperation among regional stakeholders.

Why This Matters

ICT Cluster’s role in METACITIES reinforces our long-standing commitment to:

  • Fostering cross-border innovation between academia, business, and government

  • Empowering citizens with responsive digital tools

  • Supporting sustainable and inclusive urban development

  • Strengthening Bulgaria’s presence in pan-European research and innovation

We invite our members, partners, and the public to explore the full newsletter and follow our journey as we co-create smarter, more resilient cities for the future.

Read the full newsletter [Link]
Learn more about the METACITIES project [Link]

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