This project serves to position the Nordic cities as drivers of circular innovation. Using the existing organization, structure, and our proven model for accelerated innovation in the Nordic Smart City Network, with this project we will go from accelerated innovation between the cities to implementing circular fast-track solutions. With the support from Nordic Innovation, The Nordic Smart City Network will structure a new scheme called The Nordic Smart City Circular Fast Track.
Project Owner: Oslo municipality.
Country: Norway
Estimated project period: January 2025 to January 2027
Target group
The target group for the Smart City Circular Fast Track includes Nordic cities, businesses, and specifically startups engaged in circular economy of buildings and construction. This scheme will enable rapid scaling of innovative solutions within the circular economy across the Nordic region.
The approach
The project will, with a systemic approach, take proven solutions in one of the cities that are members of the Nordic Smart City Network and transfer it to other relevant cities in the network. This will be done by giving startups and SMBs access to the Nordic cites as testbeds and offering one proven solution on a local level, financial support for large-scale testing across the Nordics.
Nordic impact
With the Smart City Circular Fast Track, the Nordic Smart City Network aims to boost business development and job creation by opening the Nordic market that the cities represent and by providing financial support for testing and scaling circular solutions in urban environments. To our experience this is what is needed to accelerate growth, create local jobs and help solidify the Nordic region’s leadership in sustainable innovation.
Nordic Smart City Network
The Nordic Smart City Network is a collaborative initiative involving 18 cities across five Nordic countries. Its primary goal is to explore and implement innovative solutions for creating livable and sustainable urban environments. The network leverages the region's strong democratic values, high social trust, advanced digitalization, and overall well-being to lead global smart city development.
The Nordic Smart City Network includes 18 cities across six Nordic countries.
These cities collaborate in the network to share knowledge and best practices, aiming to create sustainable and livable urban environments:
- Norway: Stavanger, Trondheim, Bergen, Oslo, Bærum, Kristiansand
- Sweden: Stockholm
- Denmark: Aarhus, Vejle, Copenhagen, Syddjurs
- Finland: Helsinki, Tampere, Turku, Vantaa, Espoo
- Iceland: Reykjavik
- The Faroe Islands: Torshavn
Former projects include:
- Nordic Urban Living Labs: Sharing best practices for urban development and living labs to enhance scalability and attract global investment.
- Nordic Healthy Cities: Creating supportive urban environments to improve health and quality of life.
By sharing experiences and best practices, the network aims to make cities better for their citizens and stay competitive globally.
