PilotInnCities Concludes at URBIS 2026: 30 Months of Agile Piloting, Shared Learning and Urban Innovation

The final days of the PilotInnCities project brought exactly what agile piloting is about: meaningful collaboration, practical results, new connections and a strong sense of momentum for what comes next.

The PilotInnCities closing event took place at URBIS The Smart Cities Meetup in Brno, Czech Republic — one of the key Central European platforms for smart cities, regions and urban innovation. Over three intensive days, the project presented the results of 30 months of cooperation, testing and learning in a dynamic environment that brought together more than 6,000 visitors, over 200 speakers and nearly 200 exhibitors.

For PilotInnCities, URBIS was not only a final project event. It was a live demonstration of how agile piloting can help cities, municipalities and innovators move from ideas to tested solutions with real-world value.

Showcasing 26 Agile Pilots from 6 Countries

At the heart of the PilotInnCities presence was a joint 120 m² exhibition space presenting the full project partnership and its results. Visitors could explore the work of 11 project partners from 6 participating countries and learn more about 26 agile pilots implemented across the Danube Region.

The exhibition space highlighted the diversity of challenges addressed through agile piloting — from mobility, energy and water management to climate resilience, digital public services, education, tourism and circular innovation.

Each pilot demonstrated the same core principle: cities do not need to wait for perfect conditions to test innovation. With the right methodology, partnerships and feedback loops, they can experiment faster, reduce risks and make better-informed decisions.

Agile Piloting in the Spotlight

PilotInnCities also contributed directly to the main URBIS conference programme through two dedicated sessions focused on the benefits and practical lessons of agile piloting.

The discussions explored how agile piloting helps municipalities test innovative solutions before large-scale deployment, how stakeholders can be effectively involved in the process, and what cities can learn from both successful outcomes and unexpected challenges.

A key message emerged clearly: agile piloting is not only about technology. It is also about trust, communication, adaptation and the ability to learn quickly in real urban environments.

High-Level Dialogue and Public Visibility

Another important moment of the closing event was a meeting and press conference with First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade Karel Havlíček. The discussion underlined the relevance of agile piloting for innovation policy, regional development and the practical transformation of cities and municipalities.

The event also created space for media engagement, expert exchange and new partnerships, helping to further increase the visibility of the PilotInnCities approach beyond the project partnership itself.

Methodology, Action Plan and Next Steps

During URBIS 2026, the first printed copies of two key project outputs were distributed: the Agile Piloting Methodology and the Action Plan for Adoption of Agile Piloting.

These documents capture the experience gained throughout the project and provide practical guidance for municipalities, innovation agencies, regional authorities and other organisations interested in applying agile piloting in their own context.

To further support future implementation, PilotInnCities also launched competitions for municipalities to win a bonus agile pilot and for visitors to win a book on agile transformation by Aliona Zapanovici.

A Project Ending, a Legacy Continuing

Although PilotInnCities officially concludes in the coming days, its results, partnerships and ideas will continue to develop. The project has shown that agile piloting can become a practical tool for cities and regions seeking to test innovation in a structured, low-risk and impact-oriented way.

URBIS 2026 provided a strong final platform to share these results — but also to open new conversations, spark future collaborations and connect with those ready to take the next step in urban transformation.

Thank you to all partners, municipalities, innovators and stakeholders who have been part of the PilotInnCities journey.

See you again in Brno at URBIS 2027.