A report rooted in practice, not theory
During the presentation, Eurico Neves emphasised that the Metacity IAP Report is not a theoretical vision paper. Instead, it is the outcome of a structured and iterative action-planning journey combining local experimentation, peer learning and continuous feedback. As described in the report’s opening chapters, the network started with an in-depth analysis of local contexts and digital maturity levels, followed by a shared methodological framework that allowed very different cities—from Nordic municipalities to Southern and Eastern European urban areas—to move forward together .
A defining feature of the Metacity process was the extensive use of Testing Actions. These small-scale pilots enabled cities to move from abstract discussions about digital transformation to concrete, real-life experimentation. From AI-powered chatbots supporting urban planning, to virtual reality tools for education, tourism and citizen participation, the testing actions proved that immersive technologies can be meaningful, inclusive and manageable even for smaller administrations with limited resources .
Human-centred digital transformation
A recurring message in the presentation was that Metacity is ultimately about people, not technology. The report highlights how Urban Local Groups (ULGs)—bringing together municipal departments, universities, schools, startups, cultural organisations and citizens—played a critical role in shaping each Integrated Action Plan. According to Eurico Neves, this participatory ecosystem was essential to ensure political legitimacy, organisational ownership and long-term sustainability of the proposed actions.
The IAP Report shows that cities which actively involved elected officials and senior municipal staff were better able to align digital innovation with broader policy objectives, while also accelerating decision-making and implementation readiness. At the same time, cooperation with universities and knowledge providers helped translate complex technologies into accessible tools, strengthening local capacities and fostering digital literacy across different segments of society .
Ten cities, ten tailored action plans
One of the strengths of the Metacity IAP Report is its respect for local diversity. While all partners addressed the overarching theme of metaverse-driven urban innovation, each city developed a distinct Integrated Action Plan adapted to its specific needs—ranging from digital governance and smart public services to education, cultural heritage and economic development. The report offers a concise yet insightful overview of all ten final IAPs, illustrating how a common framework can still generate highly differentiated and context-sensitive solutions .
Lessons for cities across Europe
In closing his presentation, Eurico Neves underlined that the value of the IAP Report goes beyond the Metacity network itself. The lessons learned—particularly on stakeholder engagement, political leadership, testing-before-scaling and cross-sector collaboration—are directly relevant to any European city seeking to navigate digital transformation in a responsible and inclusive way.
The Metacity IAP Report stands as both a strategic reference and a practical guide, demonstrating that small and medium-sized cities can be frontrunners in digital innovation when they combine vision, experimentation and strong local partnerships. As the network now moves from planning to implementation, the report provides a solid foundation for turning ambitious ideas into tangible, citizen-centred change.