SMARCO Launches Strategy and Blueprint for Smart Communities Skills Development in Europe

The SMARCO project has launched its new Strategy and Blueprint for Smart Communities Skills Development in Europe, setting out a shared vision for addressing current and future skills needs across Europe’s rapidly evolving Smart Communities ecosystem.

Smart Communities Skills Development in Europe (SMARCO) is an EU-funded Erasmus+ Blueprint project working to address critical skills gaps through targeted upskilling, forward-looking training programmes and flexible learning pathways.

The newly published Strategy represents a major project milestone. It provides a framework for developing the skills and capabilities required to support smarter, greener and more resilient communities across Europe.

An evidence-based approach to future skills

The Strategy was developed through a comprehensive and evidence-based process. This included detailed skills intelligence and gap analysis, a review of regional, national, European and international best practices, and contributions from stakeholders throughout the SMARCO network.

This collaborative approach helped the project identify the challenges and opportunities expected to shape the future of Smart Communities, as well as the skills needed by the people, organisations and public authorities responsible for planning and delivering smart community solutions.

The analysis identified four critical priorities for the Smart Communities skills ecosystem:

• Strengthening alignment between skills supply and evolving demand, ensuring that education and training provision responds to changing labour market needs.
• Developing interdisciplinary and advanced skills profiles that reflect the complex and interconnected nature of Smart Communities.
• Building the capacity of key actors, including public administrations, local authorities and other stakeholders involved in designing and delivering smart community solutions.
• Improving the coordination, availability and flexibility of skills provision, while supporting greater policy coherence across the wider skills ecosystem.

Speaking about SMARCO’s involvement in the Digital4Sustainability Community, Caterina Bortolaso, SMARCO representative, said:

“The transition to sustainable smart cities depends on our ability to align digital innovation with environmental and social responsibility. Through the Digital4Sustainability Community, SMARCO looks forward to fostering collaboration and strengthening the skills and knowledge needed to shape greener, more resilient urban futures.”

A framework for coordinated action

Building on the findings of its research and stakeholder engagement, the Strategy presents a series of strategic priorities, objectives, policy recommendations and implementation actions.

These recommendations are intended to support the development of a resilient, inclusive and future-oriented Smart Communities skills ecosystem. They also provide a foundation for stronger coordination between education and training providers, policymakers, public administrations, industry, local and regional actors, and other organisations working in this area.

The accompanying SMARCO Blueprint provides a concise and accessible overview of the Strategy’s principal findings and recommendations. It highlights the key priorities and actions identified through the project, helping stakeholders understand both the direction of travel and the practical steps needed to strengthen Smart Communities skills development.

Together, the Strategy and Blueprint provide a framework for coordinated action and long-term European collaboration. They are designed to help stakeholders respond to changing skills requirements and build the knowledge and capabilities needed to ensure that digital innovation contributes to environmentally sustainable, socially responsible and resilient communities.

Find out more

Explore the project’s findings, recommendations and proposed roadmap for action:

• Read the SMARCO Strategy
• Read the SMARCO Blueprint

Visit the SMARCO website and follow SMARCO on LinkedIn for further news and project updates.