MICAD: the project at glance

Climate and digital transitions have become central priorities at both the European policy level, from the EU Green Deal to the 100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission, and among metropolitan actors striving for a greener, more equitable future. Sustainability is no longer an option but an urgent necessity, and digital transformation can act as a powerful catalyst to accelerate this process, provided it is combined with sustainable development principles.

These transitions are closely linked and complementary: they shape the future of governance and demand collaboration across multiple levels and a transdisciplinary approach. Metropolitan areas must adopt strategies that foster multi-stakeholder dialogue, participatory policymaking, and inclusive innovation, ensuring governance structures evolve in a way that is both democratic and effective.

This is where MICAD – Metropolitan Inclusivity in Climate and Digital Transitions steps in. The project offers a robust framework for inclusive metropolitan co-planning policies, centering on climate and digital transitions globally, with a special focus on Europe. MICAD provides metropolitan areas with readily actionable tools to navigate these transitions while supporting multi-level governance, connecting local, regional, national, and even international efforts.

A new way of metropolitan planning: from knowledge to action

MICAD starts from a simple, crucial idea: transitions work best when they are inclusive. By engaging citizens, policymakers, local businesses, and researchers, the project helps cities co-create solutions for a sustainable and digital future.

MICAD’s work unfolds in four main phases:

Research and Knowledge Gathering: experts study how metropolitan areas can plan inclusively, learning from global experiences. They will map barriers and opportunities across governance, technology, participation, and finance, and will use Living Labs — real-life spaces where citizens, policymakers, and businesses co-create and test solutions.
Adaptation and Learning: research is tailored to the realities of the five European cities and metropolitan authorities involved. Through Operational Hubs and collaborative training sessions, cities exchange knowledge, develop their own frameworks for climate or digital transitions, and learn from one another.
Development and Application: each metropolitan area creates a Roadmap for digital or climate transition, putting its framework into practice. This hands-on phase ensures strategies are not only theoretically sound but also practically viable, addressing the unique challenges of each metropolitan context.

Replication and Sustainability: MICAD shares lessons globally through an enhanced Toolkit for local and metropolitan authorities, and through policy recommendations for European and national institutions. Two international Working Groups, one in Europe and one in Latin America or Africa, will allow cities worldwide to learn from MICAD’s experience and replicate best practices.

Key results to make the difference

The project’s main results include:

Methodological Frameworks: tailored to local contexts, to support decision-making in defining governance strategies for climate and digital transition (“how to”)
Metropolitan Roadmaps: co-designed five roadmaps to support digital and climate transitions in the 5 European metropolitan areas which are part of the consortium assessing political commitment, resources, and participatory governance, while highlighting common challenges and offering recommendations to overcome them.
Toolkit: actionable and replicable guidelines, tested by five metropolitan partners, to support metropolitan areas on how to perform inclusive digital and climate transitions adaptable to diverse European contexts (“toolbox”).
Policy recommendations: directed to European institutions and national governments of the 5 metropolitan areas involved in the project to encourage the utilisation of the achieved project’s results at different governance levels.
Scientific Publications: peer-reviewed scientific articles to present the methodological approach, case study analysis, and results of MICAD. They will focus on participatory governance, climate and digital transitions, and co-creation practices at metropolitan level, and comparative studies across the 5 pilot areas.

International collaboration: project’s partners presentation

MICAD brings together a diverse network of partners — metropolitan areas, research centers, companies, and global organisations. This pluralistic approach ensures that solutions are grounded in real-world expertise while embracing innovation and inclusivity.

Why MICAD matters

Climate and digital transitions are reshaping how we live, move, work, and connect. MICAD ensures these transformations are inclusive, giving every citizen a voice and ensuring no one is left behind. By combining research, innovation, and participation, MICAD is helping cities plan for a fairer, greener, and digitally empowered future.

Stay Tuned

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