Open Call for Applications launched – 60 grants available for piloting tech solutions

The Horizon Europe project CommuniCity funds a total of one hundred technology pilots with 1,25 M€ by August 2025. The third Open Call for Applications is open from 10.9. to 31.10.2024 at 17 CET. The goal is to find around 60 piloting teams to be awarded with grants enabling testing their solutions in collaboration with European cities and vulnerable communities. In addition to the project’s partners – Helsinki, Amsterdam, and Porto – 14 European cities and NGOs have joined the third round of open calls.

Throughout all three rounds of open calls, the cities are looking for technology solutions that meet the specific needs of vulnerable communities, increase digital inclusion and improve the quality of life. Co-creation is one of the cornerstones of the CommuniCity project and therefore all technology pilots are experimented in close cooperation with the piloting teams and marginalized communities, including professionals.

Piloting health, education and well-being solutions in Helsinki

Before the opening of the call, the participating cities each conducted their own needs assessment and considered suitable pilot host organisations. Based on this careful evaluation process, the most critical challenges and target groups were identified. Special attention was paid to the possibility of developing the offered technology solutions through co-creation. In the third round, approximately 60 pilots will be implemented across Europe, of which around 15 will take place in Helsinki. 

The challenges for Helsinki pilots are:

1. How can virtual reality support independent living of the intellectually disabled?
2. How to enable sustainable choices and access to city services for immigrants?
3. How can innovative remote diagnostics improve city services?
4. How can the long-term unemployed be empowered with essential ICT skills?
5. How can robotics solutions provide assistance to patients?
6. How can shared understanding among patients, relatives and staff be ensured?
7. How can patient well-being and monitoring be improved? 
8. How to ensure active engagement and mobility of patients?

After the application period ends on October 31st, expert juries appointed by the challenge owner organizations will evaluate the applications and select the technology solutions. The pilots will start across Europe between November and December and conclude by the end of May 2025.

See all the 54 challenges, introductions of the participating cities and detailed application guidelines on the CommuniCity website.

Valuable experience in co-creation

In addition to a grant of maximum 12,500 Euros, the teams selected for the pilots will gain valuable know-how through co-development and experimentation. The pilots will be implemented in Helsinki in cooperation with the City of Helsinki’s divisions and the Helsinki University Hospital, and their clients. Companies, associations and private individuals can apply for the grant. Piloting team can submit an application for all the 54 challenges.

Forum Virium Helsinki has a central role in the CommuniCity project, as it is responsible for organizing the entire pilot program and creating a common European operating model for the pilots. Forum Virium Helsinki is also closely involved in coordinating the pilots implemented in Helsinki and supports practical arrangements. More information about the pilot challenges in Helsinki and other cities can be found on the CommuniCity project website.