The rapid evolution of smart technologies is transforming how communities function, demanding a workforce equipped with appropriately advanced digital, green and cybersecurity skills to ensure a smooth transition and community innerworkings. The workforce in its current state faces a critical imbalance, namely insufficient digital competencies, not only in specialised ICT professionals but also in green, digital, cybersecurity skills among public administrations’ staff working on smart communities. This gap undermines the development of robust smart communities and hinders the transition towards sustainable economic growth and job creation.
The Smart Communities Skills Development in Europe (SMARCO) project, launched in February 2025 under the Erasmus+ programme, is a Blueprint for Sectoral Cooperation on Skills designed to address urgent challenges through a comprehensive, cross-sectoral approach. The project, coordinated by the European DIGITAL SME Alliance, brings together a consortium of 21 organisations from 14 European countries, uniting diverse expertise and perspectives to drive impactful results in the development of skills for smart communities.
SMARCO aims to strengthen both industry-specific and public sector capabilities by fostering innovation, digital transformation, and community resilience and to contribute to the objectives of the Pact for Skills by establishing its Smart Communities Skills Partnership within its Large-scale Partnership for the Digital Ecosystem (Digital LSP).
SMARCO will deliver evidence-based research, comprehensive training programmes, and a robust framework of certification opportunities to foster the development of essential skills for smart communities. Its approach is built on three core pillars:
- Resilience and Sustainability through Upskilling: SMARCO will strengthen the resilience and sustainability of smart communities by addressing critical skills gaps among smart city engineers, planners, and procurers. This will be achieved through the creation of urgent upskilling courses and forward-looking training programmes tailored to emerging needs.
- Flexible, Recognised Learning Paths: SMARCO promotes learner-centric, flexible education with a transnational scope, enabling learning mobility and cross-border opportunities. To ensure broad recognition, SMARCO will develop micro-credentials, training certificates, and a comprehensive certification framework.
- Sustainable Stakeholder Community: SMARCO will foster a lasting community of stakeholders to collaborate, exchange best practices, and scale up training, upskilling, and reskilling efforts. This community will be actively engaged in the Pact for Skills through its Digital LSP.
SMARCO has entered a pivotal phase in its journey toward strengthening skills for resilient and competitive smart communities. One of the key developments underway is the formation of its External Advisory Board, a strategic body that will offer high-level guidance, shape recommendations on core deliverables, and ensure the project stays aligned with policy priorities and real-world needs.
In April 2025, the first steps towards the creation of the Smart Communities Skills Strategy and Blueprint have officially been taken. This process is now actively identifying and analysing existing policies, frameworks, and successful initiatives that support skills development in smart communities across Europe. The focus is on curating best practices and adaptable approaches that can be scaled and replicated to inform the creation of a robust, future-ready Blueprint.
Through these strategic efforts, SMARCO is closing the skills gap and making a meaningful contribution to the EU’s digital and green transitions, laying the groundwork for resilient, inclusive, and future-ready smart communities across Europe.
