One of the main goal of the RUGGEDISED project is improving the quality of life of citizens, by offering them a clean, safe, attractive, inclusive and affordable living environment.
As the project unfolds, regular meetings, consultation workshops or other citizen awareness activities will be organised in each cities. Venture Cafés will also be set-up to include businesses, start-ups and citizens in the project.
The European Commission defines the smart city as:
"A place where the traditional networks and services are made more efficient with the use of digital and telecommunication technologies, for the benefit of its inhabitants and businesses."
Horizon 2020 is the financial instrument implementing the Innovation Union, a flagship initiative aimed at securing Europe's global competitiveness.
Horizon 2020 is the biggest EU Research and Innovation programme ever with nearly €80 billion of funding available over 7 years (2014 to 2020) – in addition to the private investment that this money will attract.