CommuniCity prepared and executed altogether 101 innovation pilots by leveraging AI and other emerging technologies. The idea was to engage hard-to-reach, marginalized communities in dialogue with city officials and solution providers. The needs that were identified during this process were used as a starting point for co-creating and piloting inclusive solutions for these communities. Twenty of these solutions were piloted during the years 2023–25 in Helsinki.
CommuniCity project launched three rounds of Open Calls that leverage AI and other emerging technologies in addressing the needs of cities and communities. The Open Calls invited companies and associations to participate in a process of co-creation, where citizens, associations, city officials, and policy makers came together to improve the quality of life for citizens.
Objective
The overall objective of the project was to enhance social justice, sustainability and inclusion through innovative technology and knowledge-based solutions.
CommuniCity organized and facilitated 101 pilots in cities throughout Europe. The lessons learned from this experience (on social, institutional, technological and environmental dimensions) were laid the foundations for a more general framework of concepts, practices, and solutions reusable by various stakeholders for more clean, inclusive and sustainable societies.
The cities of Amsterdam, Helsinki, and Porto are taking the leading role in organizing these smart city pilots. These pilots introduce new solutions both to these cities and to be used around the world. The cities and countries also got ideas on how to collaborate and share pilots.
Duration, partners, funding and total budget
Duration: 1.9.2022–31.8.2025
Funding: Horizon 2020 Europe
Budget: 4,999,012.50 euroa (Forum Virium Helsinki: 1 306 250 €)
Partners: University of Amsterdam, OASC – Open & Agile Smart Cities & Communities (manager), ENoLL – European Network of Living Labs, Centre de Visio per Computador, Sociedade Portugesa ee Inovacao, Porto Digital, City of Amsterdam, Forum Virium Helsinki, Demos Helsinki, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Engineering, Domus Social
Our role
The role of Forum Virium Helsinki in the CommuniCity project was to organize Open Calls and to facilitate the piloting process. Forum Virium Helsinki was responsible for the Helsinki local needs assessment, local engagement with solutions providers (applying to the open calls) and for piloting of up to 20 solutions (Agile pilots) in Helsinki.
Forum Virium Helsinki brought forward its extensive methodology for ‘Agile pilots’ experimentation and led the Piloting and Open Call Work Packages in the project. Forum Virium Helsinki was a vast experience in implementing agile pilots and open calls in urban environments at national as well as international level.
Benefits for Helsinki
CommuniCity actively engaged with citizen groups and communities that are not getting sufficient attention from the society. The project seeked to identify and understand needs that are characteristic to hard-to-reach, marginalized communities.
CommuniCity’s engagement with hard-to-reach communities within the city, produced sustainable solutions that improved the quality of living for the members of the group. The project shared its results with the city stakeholders. City officials and policy-makers can utilize the insights of the project to make changes to city practices and policies when needed.
CommuniCity Manuals – information and tips for running open calls and pilots
Photo: Helsinki Partners / Hayley