Joint organiser: Czech Ministry of Regional Development
The Policy Lab for Czechia will focus on the theme of digitalisation & innovation, specifically small and medium-sized municipalities and their role in localising the digital transition, discussing its challenges and possibilities.
To further promote the implementation of the New Leipzig Charter, the Czech EU Council Presidency has decided to focus on this digital dimension, being it already a key priority of Czech urban development strategies. The high fragmentation of Czechia and its dispersed population distribution presents challenges in terms of infrastructures and public services, challenges that digital and innovative solutions could help to solve.
The Czech Ministry of Regional Development have therefore invested in building the railway of the future with several initiatives. These include but are not limited t
– the Smart Cities Concept, a national strategy defining seven guiding principles for smart solutions and resilient cities;
– the 5G for 5Cities project, supporting five selected cities to make use of 5G networks in implementing smart solutions; and
– ‘Introducing a systematic approach to financing Smart Solutions’, a project in cooperation with VNG to support Smart City solutions for public service delivery at city, municipal and regional level.
This Policy Lab will address the issues municipalities face while navigating a vast pool of opportunities, finding right access to EU funding schemes and implementing them.