The European Commission’s Intelligent Cities Challenge (ICC) has successfully completed its final phase, marking a significant step towards achieving the EU Green Deal and Clean Industrial Deal objectives. The initiative fostered a dynamic network of cities across the EU, supporting thousands of local businesses and implementing over 200 Local Green Deals (LGDs) aimed at promoting sustainable urban development.  

Launched in 2017 as the Digital Cities Challenge, the ICC expanded to include 136 cities by its first phase (2020–2022), focusing on digital transformation and industrial modernisation. The second phase (2023–2025) emphasised the implementation of LGDs, with 86 cities developing 217 deals in collaboration with local businesses. The initiative also introduced the Tech4Good program, offering 180 solutions across more than 80 cities, and developed five online training courses on LGD development, available through the EU Academy.  

The ICC’s achievements underscore the power of collaboration among cities, businesses, and policymakers in driving sustainable and competitive urban development. The initiative has significantly contributed to EU, national, and local policies aimed at sustainable prosperity, decarbonisation, and competitiveness.  

For more information, visit the Intelligent Cities Challenge website.