The capital of Crete, Irakleio (Heraklion), has been included in the European Commission’s list of the 100 Intelligent Cities Challenge (ICC) after an evaluation that was conducted from February 27 to May 29.

Irakleio participated in the major evaluation, which assessed the city’s digital policy together with 192 cities in 20 European countries. Of those cities, 88 were selected to take part in the program over the next two years.

“This is the exceptional result of the timeless and tireless effort of the Municipality of Irakleio and its digital policy. This is not the first time that this effort has been recognized and rewarded, and it certainly will not be the last! The city of Irakleio has managed to become established in the consciousness of Europeans as a smart city, and this is important,” said the city’s Deputy Mayor for Digital Transformation George Sisamakis.

Of the ICC, the European Commission writes:

“The 100 Intelligent Cities Challenge (ICC) is a unique opportunity for evolving EU cities to join a community that leverages advanced technologies, to tackle the pandemic crisis and reconstruct their economies while steering them in the direction of green smart sustainable growth. This will help cities to improve the quality of life and create new opportunities for their business communities.

“The ICC will build on the success of the Digital Cities Challenge, which helped 41 EU cities develop a strategic vision and a roadmap for digital transformation. ICC cities will receive high quality and tailored guidance and expert support, access to advisory and city peer networks (European and international), and capability building tools, to drive priority policy goals and the uptake of advanced technologies.

“The ICC will kick-start with a launch week scheduled for the week of 28 September.”

A version of this article was first published on ekathimerini.com