Workshop in Porto
On 22 June, a workshop entitled "From Local Transitions to International Perspectives: Co-designing Policy Tools for the Green and Digital Future" took place in Porto. The workshop brought together policymakers, municipal representatives, and researchers to explore how digital innovation and evidence-based policymaking can support inclusive green and digital transitions.
The programme featured presentations from representatives of Portuguese municipalities, alongside an introduction to the latest developments of the FITTER-EU project. The discussions highlighted how local experiences can contribute to the development of digital tools that support policymaking and help public authorities address increasingly complex societal challenges.
Several key messages emerged from the workshop:
- High-quality, reliable data is essential for effective policymaking and AI-enabled decision-support systems.
- AI should support, rather than replace, human decision-making by providing policymakers with broader perspectives and evidence to inform their choices.
- Transparency, trust, and integrated digital infrastructures are key to improving public services and strengthening citizen engagement.
- Innovation often exceeds users' initial expectations, underlining the importance of demonstrating new digital solutions through practical use cases and stakeholder involvement.
During the workshop, representatives of the participating municipalities expressed strong interest in collaboration with the FITTER-EU project. The workshop reaffirmed the importance of co-designing policy tools with local stakeholders to build more resilient, inclusive, and evidence-informed governance.
