SMARCO - Smart Communities Skills Development in Europe

Nordic Edge is proud to be a key partner in the SMARCO project, an EU co-funded initiative aimed at equipping engineers and public procurers with the skills necessary to develop secure, sustainable, and resilient smart communities. As Norway’s partner in the project, Nordic Edge plays a key role in involving local SMEs and public sector actors in shaping tomorrow’s training programmes.

SMARCO - A Blueprint For The Future Of Smart Communities

Launched in February 2025, SMARCO (SMARt Communities Skills Development in Europe) is a four-year Erasmus+ BluePrint project. Coordinated by the European DIGITAL SME Alliance, the project brings together 21 organizations from across Europe to address critical skill gaps in the development of smart communities.

As urban areas evolve into smart communities, there's an urgent need for professionals adept in the latest digital, green, and cybersecurity technologies. SMARCO aims to bridge this gap by providing targeted training programs that empower engineers and public sector procurers to lead in the creation of future-ready communities.

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SMARCO Focuses On Three Main Objectives

The project started in February 2025 and will run for four years, during which various training programs, workshops, and collaborative initiatives will be rolled out across participating countries.

Addressing Skills Gaps:

Developing urgent upskilling courses and forward-looking training programs for smart city engineers and procurers.

Flexible Learning and Recognition:

Offering transnational learning opportunities with micro-credentials and widely recognized certifications to ensure flexible and mobile learning experiences.

Creating a Sustainable Community:

Creating a lasting network of stakeholders related to smart community skills through participation in the Pact for Skills and its Digital Large-scale Partnership.

Value For Our Members

As a key partner in SMARCO, Nordic Edge ensures that our members are not just observers – but active contributors. Our role centers on involving Norwegian SMEs and public sector actors in piloting new training programmes designed to meet the future needs of smart communities.

By participating through Nordic Edge, our members can:

Be first in line to test and shape new upskilling courses tailored to engineers and public procurers
Gain early access to knowledge, tools and methods developed through the project
Have a voice in defining Norway’s future competence needs through roundtable discussions with policymaker
Connect across borders with European peers working on similar challenges
Help shape the blueprint for smarter, more resilient communities in the Nordics