Apply now for Creating New Local Digital Twins Based on Common Needs

Deadline: 13-Jul-2026

The European Union-funded Local Digital Twins for Smart and Sustainable Communities (LDT4SSC) project is seeking pilot proposals under Work Strand 2 to develop new Local Digital Twins (LDTs) that address shared urban challenges across Europe. With at least €3.2 million in funding available, the call supports collaborative, AI-driven, interoperable digital solutions focused on mobility, energy, air quality, waste management, sustainability, and citizen-centered urban innovation.

Program Overview

• Program Name: LDT4SSC Work Strand 2 Call for Pilots
• Funding Initiative: Local Digital Twins for Smart and Sustainable Communities (LDT4SSC)
• Funding Source: European Union Digital Europe Programme
• Total Funding Available: Minimum €3.2 million
• Maximum Grant per Third-Party Participant: €500,000
• Maximum Grant per Consortium: €1 million
• Required Co-Financing: Minimum 50% of total project costs
• Project Duration: 12–18 months
• Geographic Scope: Eligible European countries and communities
• Main Objective: Develop interoperable and replicable Local Digital Twins addressing common urban challenges

What Is a Local Digital Twin?

A Local Digital Twin (LDT) is a digital representation of a city, region, or community that combines real-time and historical data to simulate, analyze, and improve urban systems.

Local Digital Twins help public authorities make better decisions by integrating technologies such as:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Internet of Things (IoT)
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• Urban data platforms
• Predictive analytics
• Simulation and modeling tools

These technologies enable cities to test policies, optimize services, improve sustainability, and strengthen resilience before implementing actions in the real world.

Program Purpose

The LDT4SSC initiative aims to accelerate Europe’s digital transformation by creating a scalable ecosystem of interoperable Local Digital Twins.

The program supports the development of AI-driven services and seeks to overcome common barriers to digital innovation, including:

• Limited investment in AI technologies
• Regulatory complexity
• Lack of technical expertise
• Fragmented digital infrastructure
• Limited interoperability between systems

By supporting pilot projects, the initiative promotes the adoption of smart city technologies and sustainable urban development across Europe.

Work Strand 2 Objectives

Work Strand 2 specifically focuses on the creation of new Local Digital Twins designed to address shared challenges experienced by multiple cities and communities.

Key objectives include:

• Developing new Local Digital Twin solutions.
• Strengthening smart and sustainable communities.
• Promoting interoperability and seamless data exchange.
• Supporting AI-enabled urban services.
• Encouraging cross-sector collaboration.
• Expanding open-source digital solutions.
• Improving citizen participation and engagement.
• Enhancing urban resilience and sustainability.
• Supporting evidence-based decision-making.
• Creating scalable and replicable digital models.

Priority Areas for Pilot Projects

Applicants are encouraged to develop innovative solutions addressing common urban challenges.

Priority sectors include:

Sustainable Mobility

Projects may focus on:

• Mobility corridors
• Traffic optimization
• Public transport integration
• Multimodal transport planning
• Smart mobility services

Energy Management

Potential activities include:

• Energy efficiency monitoring
• Renewable energy integration
• Smart grids
• Energy consumption optimization
• Carbon reduction initiatives

Air Quality Monitoring

Projects may support:

• Environmental monitoring systems
• Air pollution management
• Public health protection
• Real-time environmental analytics

Waste Management

Examples include:

• Smart waste collection
• Circular economy solutions
• Resource optimization
• Waste reduction strategies

Cross-Sector Urban Innovation

Applicants may also address broader urban challenges involving:

• Public service delivery
• Climate adaptation
• Digital governance
• Urban planning
• Community resilience
• Smart infrastructure

Expected Project Outcomes

Selected pilots should deliver:

• Functional Local Digital Twin platforms.
• Interoperable data-sharing capabilities.
• AI-driven decision-support tools.
• Replicable digital solutions.
• Improved public services.
• Enhanced citizen engagement mechanisms.
• Sustainable urban development outcomes.
• Stronger collaboration among participating communities.

Projects should demonstrate the potential for scaling and replication across Europe.

Who Is Eligible?

The call is open to a broad range of public, private, academic, and civil society stakeholders.

Eligible applicants include:

• Local authorities
• Regional authorities
• National public administrations
• Businesses and private sector organizations
• Technology developers
• Software providers
• Digital solution suppliers
• Research institutions
• Universities and academic organizations
• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
• Civil society organizations

Consortium Requirements

Each consortium must include:

• At least two local or regional authorities.
• Authorities from at least two different eligible countries.
• At least one additional partner from an eligible stakeholder category.

Strong multi-sector partnerships are encouraged to ensure technical, operational, and governance expertise.

Funding Structure

The call operates through a co-financing model.

Funding conditions include:

• Total Work Strand 2 Budget: Minimum €3.2 million
• Maximum Grant per Participant: €500,000
• Maximum Grant per Consortium: €1 million
• Applicant Contribution: At least 50% of total project costs

Applicants should ensure sufficient financial resources are available to meet co-financing obligations.

Technical and Operational Requirements

Projects are expected to comply with detailed program requirements covering:

• Technical architecture
• Interoperability standards
• Data governance
• Cybersecurity measures
• Ethical considerations
• Data protection compliance
• Monitoring and evaluation frameworks
• Reporting obligations

Applicants should review all annexes and supporting documentation before preparing their proposal.

Why This Funding Matters

Cities across Europe face increasing pressure to improve sustainability, resilience, efficiency, and service delivery while managing limited resources.

The LDT4SSC initiative helps communities:

• Accelerate digital transformation.
• Improve urban planning and decision-making.
• Enhance sustainability outcomes.
• Increase public sector innovation.
• Strengthen collaboration across borders.
• Support AI adoption.
• Build smarter and more connected communities.

The program also contributes to Europe’s broader digital and green transition objectives.

Benefits for Participating Communities

Successful applicants can gain:

• Access to significant EU funding.
• Opportunities to test innovative technologies.
• Stronger data-driven governance capabilities.
• Enhanced public service performance.
• Increased citizen engagement.
• Improved environmental management.
• Long-term digital infrastructure development.
• Greater visibility within the European smart city ecosystem.

How to Apply

Step 1: Build an Eligible Consortium

Identify local or regional authority partners from at least two eligible countries and recruit additional technical, academic, or civil society partners.

Step 2: Define a Common Urban Challenge

Select a shared issue that affects multiple communities, such as mobility, energy, air quality, waste management, or digital governance.

Step 3: Design the Local Digital Twin Solution

Develop a clear concept outlining:

• Digital Twin architecture
• AI functionalities
• Data sources
• Expected outcomes
• Replication potential

Step 4: Prepare the Budget

Develop a comprehensive budget that demonstrates:

• Eligible costs
• Co-financing contributions
• Resource allocation
• Financial sustainability

Step 5: Address Compliance Requirements

Ensure the proposal addresses:

• Ethics
• Data protection
• Governance
• Interoperability
• Monitoring and evaluation

Step 6: Submit the Application

Complete the application package and submit all required forms, annexes, and supporting documentation before the deadline.

Step 7: Participate in Training and Support Activities

Selected applicants may receive guidance, training, and technical support during implementation.

Tips for a Strong Application

• Focus on shared challenges affecting multiple communities.
• Demonstrate strong replication potential.
• Include experienced public authority partners.
• Clearly explain AI and data integration components.
• Show measurable sustainability benefits.
• Prioritize interoperability and open standards.
• Develop realistic implementation plans and budgets.
• Include strong citizen engagement mechanisms.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Failing to meet consortium requirements.
• Weak demonstration of interoperability.
• Insufficient co-financing commitments.
• Limited replication potential.
• Inadequate data governance planning.
• Unclear AI use cases.
• Weak stakeholder engagement.
• Incomplete compliance documentation.

Carefully reviewing all program guidance and annexes can significantly improve proposal quality.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the total funding available under Work Strand 2?

At least €3.2 million has been allocated to support pilot projects under Work Strand 2.

What is the maximum funding available per consortium?

A consortium may receive a cumulative grant of up to €1 million.

How much funding can an individual participant receive?

The maximum grant available to a third-party participant is €500,000.

Is co-financing required?

Yes. Applicants must contribute at least 50% of total project costs through their own resources or other eligible funding sources.

How long can pilot projects last?

Pilot implementation periods must range between 12 and 18 months.

Who can participate in a consortium?

Eligible partners include public authorities, businesses, technology providers, research institutions, universities, NGOs, and civil society organizations.

What types of challenges should Local Digital Twins address?

Projects should focus on shared urban challenges such as mobility, energy, air quality, waste management, sustainability, public services, and other cross-sectoral issues.

Conclusion

The LDT4SSC Work Strand 2 Call for Pilots provides a significant opportunity for European communities to develop innovative Local Digital Twins that support smarter, greener, and more resilient urban development. By funding interoperable, AI-driven, and scalable digital solutions, the initiative strengthens collaboration among cities, accelerates digital transformation, and helps create sustainable communities capable of addressing complex urban challenges across Europe.

For more information, visit LDT4SSC.