Smart City Call
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About this call
General objective: The main purpose of this call is to address the need for Poland’s transition toward a more innovation-driven economy able to face key urban challenges such as sustainability, mobility and citizen engagement through various Smart City initiatives. These initiatives are particularly important in helping cities manage complex issues, including efficient management of city data, crucial for anticipating and responding to potential crises. Common values and principles: Project Promoters, Partners and projects shall respect the values and principles governing the implementation of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism, as referred to in Article 1.3.1 of the Regulation, i.e. human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and the respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities. Applicants shall describe how gender equality considerations are integrated into the project. Supporting Smart City 4.0 solutions in Polish cities: This call aims to identify and support initiatives implementing the Smart City 4.0 concept in Polish cities - an urban development model that uses modern information and communication technologies, engages residents in decision-making, and contributes to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (at least Goal 11). It also seeks to strengthen local government competences in developing and managing smart cities while addressing cities’ current challenges. Thematic scope of projects: Project Promoters are to implement projects in at least one of the following thematic areas listed in three groups: 1. Smart Governance - the use of modern governance and participatory tools to support data-driven decision-making and citizen involvement in urban management: - Smart shrinkage solutions, - Data-driven and evidence-based governance, - Citizen engagement and participatory tools, - Inclusive policymaking, - e-Governance and digital public services, - Urban innovation spaces, - Smart cultural initiatives and tourism-supporting activities. 2. Smart Environment - solutions aimed at improving environmental sustainability and strengthening cities’ resilience to climate change: - Renewable energy & energy efficiency, - Smart water & waste management, - Urban greenery & vegetation management, - Smart and sustainable mobility, - Climate resilience, - BMS – Building Management Systems, - Environmental monitoring. 3. Smart Technology – the deployment of advanced digital technologies that enhance urban management and the quality of public services: - Generative AI, - Digital twins and data integration platforms, - IoT infrastructure and sensor-based management, - Video sensor technologies, - RPA – Robotic Process Automation, - AI-based smart city monitoring, - Data-driven mobility management, - Accessibility-enhancing technologies, - Edge computing technologies. Building institutional capacity: Projects shall strengthen the institutional capacity of local governments for smart city development and management, including through targeted training that improves staff competences in digital solutions and citizen-centred public services. Participation and inclusion: Projects shall ensure active participation of citizens and urban stakeholders in the design and implementation of smart city solutions. Minimum grant amount: 12 727 800 PLN Maximum grant amount: 21 213 000 PLN
Who can apply
The call aims to support implementation of the Smart City 4.0 concept in European metropolis, national metropolises, supra-regional metropolises and national urban agglomerations in accordance with the Recommendations for planning regional policy interventions in development strategies, adopted by the Minister of Development Funds and Regional Policy on July 2, 2026 (32 cities). Eligible cities not only have the capacity to implement ambitious smart city solutions, but they also play a key role in disseminating innovative impulses nationwide. Eligible applicants: European metropolis – Warszawa (1 city) National metropolises – Katowice, Kraków, Łódź, Poznań, Szczecin, Gdańsk, Wrocław (7 cities) Supra-regional metropolises – Białystok, Bydgoszcz, Lublin, Rzeszów, Toruń (5 cities) National urban agglomerations – Bielsko-Biała, Częstochowa, Gorzów Wielkopolski, Kielce, Koszalin, Olsztyn, Opole, Radom, Rybnik, Zielona Góra, Bytom, Chorzów, Dąbrowa Górnicza, Gliwice, Ruda Śląska, Sosnowiec, Tychy, Zabrze, Gdynia (19 cities)