Green and digital transformation are changing the way cities and municipalities operate. Smart technologies can help use resources more efficiently, improve services, and protect the environment. However, their development also brings new challenges, such as in the areas of energy efficiency, legal regulation, and intellectual property protection.

Local governments play a crucial role in striking a balance between technological progress and sustainability. “The Jean Monnet Chair EUGREEN-DIGLOC project—EU Law and Governance for the Green and Digital Transformation of Local Governments—will therefore focus on how cities and municipalities can manage these changes in accordance with the legal and political frameworks of the European Union,” explains Peter Horváth, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at UCM.

European Policies in Municipal Practice

One of the project’s main objectives is to strengthen education about the European Union and link it to the current needs of public administration. The educational activities will be designed for students at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels.

Through the Jean Monnet Chair courses, knowledge of EU law, political science, and public administration will be linked to environmental policy, cohesion policy, intellectual property protection, and innovation management. Students will thus gain a broader perspective on how European rules and policies influence decision-making at the local level and what opportunities they offer for planning a sustainable future for cities and municipalities.

Research and Collaboration with the Professional World

The project will not focus solely on education. “It will also include research into the possibilities for the green and digital transformation of local government and the dissemination of the findings through scholarly publications, public events, and other informational activities,” says Peter Horváth, dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at UCM.

An important goal is to create a space for dialogue between the academic community, local governments, civil society, and the private sector. It is precisely the collaboration among these stakeholders that can help in finding solutions that take into account the needs of residents, technological possibilities, and environmental challenges.

The EUGREEN-DIGLOC project thus connects European policies with the everyday lives of people in cities and towns. Its ambition is to contribute to a better understanding of the European Union’s role in the green and digital transformation and to support the development of local governments capable of responding responsibly to society’s changing needs.

The project, supported by the Erasmus+ program, is scheduled to run from September 1, 2026, to August 31, 2029.