Call for Proposals: Adding New Advanced AI-Based Capabilities to the LDTs Toolbox

Deadline: 13-Jul-2026

The LDT4SSC Work Strand 3 (WS3) Call for Pilots offers at least €2.9 million in EU funding to support AI-powered Local Digital Twin (LDT) projects across Europe. The initiative focuses on interoperability, open-source digital infrastructure, climate resilience, mobility optimization, energy efficiency, and smarter urban decision-making.

Eligible applicants include public administrations, research institutions, technology companies, NGOs, universities, and digital infrastructure organizations from EU Member States and associated Digital Europe Programme countries. Individual applicants can receive up to €500,000 in funding.

What Is the LDT4SSC WS3 Call?

The Work Strand 3 (WS3) Call for Pilots is part of the LDT4SSC (Local Digital Twins for Smart and Sustainable Communities) project funded under the EU Digital Europe Programme.

The call supports the development of advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) services and open-source technologies for Local Digital Twins across Europe. Its primary objective is to create a federated ecosystem of interoperable digital twins that improve urban planning, sustainability, resilience, and public service delivery.

What Are Local Digital Twins (LDTs)?

A Local Digital Twin (LDT) is a digital representation of a city, region, or community that combines multiple technologies and data systems.

Key components include:

• Real-time urban data
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• Artificial intelligence
• IoT sensor networks
• Simulation models
• Predictive analytics
• Urban planning platforms

Local Digital Twins help governments and communities improve:

• Climate adaptation
• Transportation systems
• Energy management
• Infrastructure planning
• Emergency preparedness
• Citizen engagement
• Public service optimization

Main Objectives of the WS3 Call

The WS3 Call focuses on expanding Europe’s Local Digital Twin ecosystem through AI-driven innovation and interoperability.

Main objectives include:

• Connecting existing Local Digital Twins across cities and regions
• Creating a federation of interoperable digital twins across Europe
• Developing advanced AI-powered urban services
• Expanding the EU LDT Toolbox with open-source solutions
• Supporting predictive modelling and immersive technologies
• Improving urban resilience and sustainability
• Reducing operational costs and infrastructure downtime
• Enhancing citizen participation and decision-making
• Enabling replication of solutions across multiple cities

Funding Details

Important funding information includes:

• Total EU funding available: At least €2.9 million
• Maximum grant per third-party applicant: €500,000
• Maximum cumulative funding per consortium: €1,000,000
• Applicant co-funding requirement: Minimum 50% of total project costs

The funding model requires applicants to contribute at least half of the overall pilot budget.

Key Focus Areas

The WS3 pilots are expected to address real-world urban and community challenges using AI-driven technologies.

Climate Adaptation

Potential applications include:

• Flood prediction systems
• Heatwave simulation models
• Air quality monitoring
• Environmental risk assessment
• Climate resilience planning

Mobility Optimization

Examples include:

• Smart traffic management
• Public transportation optimization
• Parking analytics
• Emission reduction systems
• Mobility forecasting

Energy Efficiency

Projects may focus on:

• Smart grid optimization
• Building energy monitoring
• Renewable energy integration
• AI-driven consumption forecasting
• Sustainable infrastructure management

Predictive and Immersive AI Technologies

The programme encourages the use of:

• Machine learning
• Predictive analytics
• AI simulation engines
• Digital modelling tools
• Virtual reality (VR)
• Augmented reality (AR)
• Immersive urban visualization

How the LDT4SSC Ecosystem Works

The LDT4SSC ecosystem is designed to support collaboration, interoperability, and open-source innovation across Europe.

EU LDT Toolbox

The EU LDT Toolbox provides:

• Open-source software solutions
• AI-based services
• Shared data models
• Governance frameworks
• Urban simulation tools
• Technical deployment resources

Applicants are encouraged to both use and expand the toolbox.

LDT4SSC Knowledge Hub

The Knowledge Hub offers:

• Technical guidance
• Pilot development support
• Interoperability resources
• Documentation frameworks
• Best practices for Local Digital Twins

AI Asset Sharing

Participating projects are expected to document and share:

• Algorithms
• APIs
• Data models
• Governance structures
• Deployment methods
• Replication strategies

This supports adoption by other cities and communities across Europe.

Who Is Eligible?

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

Eligible participants include:

• Local governments
• Regional administrations
• National public authorities
• Universities
• Research institutions
• Innovation labs
• AI companies
• Technology developers
• SMEs and startups
• NGOs
• Non-profit organizations
• Community organizations
• European Digital Infrastructure Consortia
• LDT CitiVERSE EDIC participants

Eligible Countries

Organizations from the following regions may apply:

• EU Member States
• EU outermost regions
• Overseas countries and territories
• Norway
• Iceland
• Liechtenstein
• Digital Europe Programme Associated countries that joined before 2025

Why This Call Matters

The WS3 Call is important because it accelerates Europe’s transition toward AI-enabled smart and sustainable communities.

Key benefits include:

• Faster adoption of AI in urban governance
• Better interoperability between digital systems
• Reduced vendor lock-in through open-source tools
• Improved sustainability and resilience
• Smarter infrastructure management
• Enhanced citizen engagement
• Stronger European digital sovereignty
• Scalable smart city innovation

How to Apply for the WS3 Call

Applicants should follow a structured approach when preparing their proposals.

Step 1: Identify a Community Challenge

Choose a specific urban issue such as:

• Traffic congestion
• Flood management
• Energy optimization
• Climate adaptation
• Infrastructure monitoring
• Public safety

Step 2: Build Partnerships or a Consortium

Potential partners may include:

• Public administrations
• AI developers
• Universities
• Technology providers
• NGOs
• Smart city organizations

Step 3: Design an AI-Driven Pilot

Your proposal should clearly explain:

• The Local Digital Twin use case
• AI technologies involved
• Expected impact
• Replication potential
• Open-source contribution strategy

Step 4: Use Existing EU LDT Resources

Applicants should leverage:

• The EU LDT Toolbox
• LDT4SSC Knowledge Hub resources
• Shared interoperability frameworks

Step 5: Prepare Technical Documentation

Required documentation may include:

• Data models
• AI algorithms
• APIs
• Deployment architecture
• Governance arrangements
• Security and interoperability plans

Step 6: Demonstrate Sustainability

Projects should explain:

• Long-term scalability
• Maintenance plans
• Financial sustainability
• Environmental benefits
• Replication opportunities

Step 7: Submit the Proposal

Ensure compliance with:

• Eligibility requirements
• Funding limits
• Technical standards
• Open-source obligations
• Submission deadlines

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid the following issues:

• Ignoring interoperability requirements
• Weak replication strategies
• Limited AI innovation
• Poor technical documentation
• Lack of measurable outcomes
• Insufficient sustainability planning
• Minimal community impact

Best Practices for Strong Applications

Strong proposals typically include:

• Clear measurable KPIs
• Open standards and APIs
• Citizen-focused benefits
• Scalable architectures
• Cross-sector collaboration
• Detailed technical planning
• Strong sustainability models

Examples of measurable KPIs include:

• Reduced emissions
• Energy savings
• Lower operational costs
• Faster emergency response times
• Improved public service efficiency

FAQ

What is the main goal of the LDT4SSC WS3 Call?

The main goal is to develop AI-powered Local Digital Twin services that improve sustainability, interoperability, resilience, and urban decision-making across Europe.

How much funding is available?

The programme provides at least €2.9 million in total EU funding.

What is the maximum grant amount?

Applicants can receive up to €500,000 per third-party participant, while consortium funding can reach €1,000,000 cumulatively.

Do applicants need to provide co-funding?

Yes. Applicants must cover at least 50% of total pilot project costs.

What technologies are encouraged?

The programme supports technologies such as:

• Artificial intelligence
• Machine learning
• Predictive analytics
• Simulation platforms
• Open-source digital infrastructure
• Augmented reality
• Virtual reality

Can NGOs and universities participate?

Yes. NGOs, universities, research institutions, and non-profit organizations are all eligible.

Which countries can participate?

Eligible participants include organizations from EU Member States, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and associated Digital Europe Programme countries.

Conclusion

The LDT4SSC Work Strand 3 Call for Pilots is a major opportunity for organizations working in AI, smart cities, sustainability, and digital infrastructure. The programme supports the development of interoperable and open-source Local Digital Twin solutions that address real urban challenges across Europe.

By funding scalable AI-driven services, the initiative aims to improve resilience, sustainability, citizen engagement, and digital collaboration across European communities. Successful projects will contribute to the future of smart and sustainable urban development throughout the EU.

For more information, visit LDT4SSC.