Nicosia joins European Commission’s Intelligent Cities Challenge

Nicosia will receive support for its green and digital transition through its inclusion in a European Commission initiative, the municipality announced on Thursday.

The Cypriot capital has been selected to participate in the European Commission’s Intelligent Cities Challenge (ICC) for the period 2023-2025. During that time, the municipality will receive guidance from European Commission experts on the creation of Local Green Deals, placing it at the forefront of the green and digital transition.

The ICC is a European Commission initiative that supports European cities towards the green and digital transition of their local economies through Local Green Deals. Through their engagement, participating cities will address two major challenges: transitioning to a zero-carbon economic model while enabling sustainable growth for EU citizens.

The Local Green Agreements will help Nicosia and other cities that have joined the initiative to strengthen the European Green Deal. The Local Green Deals focus on several key areas: energy, mobility and transport, built environment and construction, tourism and culture and creative sectors.

“By adopting the methodology developed by the European Commission, the experience of other cities, in cooperation with expert consultants and with all local stakeholders including the Nicosia Chamber of Commerce, Academic and Research Institutions and others, the green and digital transition of the city will be enhanced,” the municipality said.

The ultimate goal of the initiative is to provide participating cities with support to harness the potential of emerging technologies, while taking ambitious steps to improve the quality of life of citizens, ensuring growth, sustainability and resilience.

Cities participating in the ICC will be supported to develop or renew strategies and action plans to address the city’s sustainable development goals and be at the forefront of the twin transitions.