Welcome to the workshop which will start with presenting the Objective 1.3 – "Open Innovation for Internet-enabled services and next generation access (NGA) services in 'smart' cities" – foreseen in the draft Work Programme 2012 of the ICT Policy Support Programme, and related ongoing activities.

Opportunities will then be provided at the workshop for interested parties to present their Objective 1.3 pilot proposal ideas and for potential pilot participants to present their competences.

The workshop will be held on Tuesday, 24 January 2012, at 09:00-17:00 hrs, in Centre Borschette, rue Froissart 36, Brussels.

Within this ICT PSP Objective, it is intended to support several pilot actions.The aim of the Objective 1.3 is two-fold: a) Facilitate the creation of efficient innovation ecosystems that develop services and applications making use of information generated by users (e.g. through social networks) or captured from sensors (Internet of Things);

b) Stimulate demand for innovative services and applications based on next generation access (NGA) networks, through connected TV applications.

Each proposal will include at least 3 cities or regions located in different Member States or Associated Countries.

User-centered methodologies are to be applied in order to enable the early adoption of new services or applications and reduce time-to-market.

The workshop is organised by the European Commission, Information Society and Media, unit F4: New Infrastructure Paradigms and Experimental Facilities, in collaboration with unit D2: Networked Media Systems.

Space is limited. Registration is mandatory for participation and will open shortly via http://ec.europa.eu/livinglabs  . There will be no workshop participation fee. The participants are responsible for their own costs such as travel and accommodation.