The activities of the ERA-NET EN-UAC are split into the following seven distinct work packages.
-WP1: Management
ANR managed the coordination of EN-UAC during the whole duration of the program. ANR took in charge the overall planning, financial management, internal communication and communication with the EC…
-Work package 2: Preparation and launch of the co-funded call
The call has been designed according to two entry points, e.g. two submission pathways in order to strengthen challenge-driven research and innovation projects and to give a particular emphasis to inter- and transdisciplinary research and 5 challenges were identified. The development of the call text was done in collaboration with other networks like the ERA-NET Electric Mobility Europe, EIT KIC Urban Mobility, Polis network, Eltis database.
-Work package 3: Evaluation and proposal selection for the co-funded call
The evaluation was done in a 2 stage procedure. The pre and full proposals were evaluated by an independent expert panel. The call covered a large set of type of research and innovation projects, from the basic research to the innovation and even demonstration. The innovation proposals were assessed not only by researchers but by practitioners too, who provide an experience in implementing solutions in cities and in innovation dissemination. Since the transnational funded project at the end involve practitioners, the presence of practitioners representatives in the expert panel of the call was relevant.
-Work package 4: Follow-up and monitoring of projects resulting from the co-funded call
WP4 ensured structured monitoring of the projects funded under the EN-UAC co-funded call, in order to assess progress, facilitate exchange and provide strategic feedback to JPI Urban Europe. Based on the JPI Urban Europe intervention logic, a monitoring framework was developed, including adapted indicators and specific data requirements for all project phases - from call preparation to implementation. Standardised reporting templates and the Online Monitoring System (OMS) were introduced to ensure consistent reporting across all participating projects and funding agencies.
At project level, annual progress, stakeholder engagement, interdisciplinarity and outputs were recorded via an Online Monitoring Tool and summarised in the annual summary reports.
-Work package 5: Communication, exploitation and dissemination of the results
The EN-UAC Communication and Dissemination Strategy is in line with the JPI Urban Europe Communication strategy. The communication activities achieved an efficient communication of results and outcomes from research and strategic activities funded by the different calls through different channel like project result catalogue, LinkedIn post, newsletters... Different events were also organised suck as the kick-off meeting, the mid-term and final events of the project from the cofunded call and additional calls.
- Work package 6: Joint calls without EU co-funding
3 additional calls were launched:
-The Sino-European call, leading to 8 funded projects;
-The innovation call, leading to 4 funded projects;
-The Knowledge Hub, leading to 1 project funded.
All projects from the 3 calls were monitored and the projects funded were included as much as possible in events organized by the co-funded call or in the dissemination activities such as the urban lunch talks (see WP7). All projects are included in the JPI Urban Europe website with a project catalogue.
-Work-package 7: Strengthening the urban accessibility and connectivity research and innovation community
In total, 7 urban lunch talks available on YouTube and 3 Agora Thematic Dialogue were achieved (one online, one un Bucharest, Romania, and one in Konya, Türkiye).
