On 23 May 2025, the city of Dijon hosted the official inauguration of the RESPONSE Project, held at the symbolic crossroads of Boulevard Bachelard and Avenue Edouard Belin, in front of a large mural depicting local dancers — a visual celebration of energy, movement, and transformation.

The ceremony marked more than a formal launch. It was a moment of affirmation for a shared European vision: cities that are climate-neutral, resilient, and people-driven. The event brought together voices from municipal leadership, regional governance, European institutions, and private-sector innovation — all committed to shaping the urban future.

Day 1: Site Visits and Partner Exchange
22 May 2025

The first day of the RESPONSE inauguration programme offered an immersive look into how Dijon is already implementing the project’s vision for a climate-neutral, citizen-centric city.

In the afternoon, participants joined themed guided tours across the Fontaine d’Ouche district and adjacent metropolitan areas. These site visits showcased RESPONSE pilot actions, giving attendees the opportunity to experience tangible, on-the-ground innovations contributing to a resilient and decarbonised urban future.

Tour highlights included:

• Biomass heating networks at Les Péjoces and Valendons
• The Valmy photovoltaic station
• The OnDijon smart public services control centre
• Urban space data management tools
• Dijon’s strategy for green hydrogen production
• Community engagement initiatives empowering local actors in Fontaine d’Ouche

The day concluded with an international round table held at the Salle Alain Millot at Dijon métropole, bringing together project partners from across Europe. This evening session offered a valuable forum for knowledge sharing between Lighthouse and Fellow Cities, focusing on integrated approaches to climate neutrality.

The session was moderated by Monjur Murshed, PhD, RESPONSE coordinator at EIFER (European Institute for Energy Research), and included contributions from:

• Jean-Patrick Masson, Vice-President, Dijon métropole
• Carmen Munoz, Director of Regional Action, EDF
• Olena Zinchuk, Lighthouse City Manager, City of Turku (Finland)
• Lea Kienhunkinen, RESPONSE coordinator, City of Brussels (Belgium)
• Louisian Germain, Project Manager, ASCEND Project, Lyon Confluence (France)
• Philippe Fournaud, Chairman, Blue-Sight and representative of the Smart Cities Marketplace

Panelists presented updates from their cities and discussed the synergy between RESPONSE and other smart city initiatives, such as ASCEND, highlighting replicable solutions for sustainable urban development across Europe.

Day 2: Official Inauguration Ceremony and Keynote Reflections
23 May 2025

The second day marked the official inauguration of the RESPONSE Project. The ceremony took place at a meaningful location — the junction of Boulevard Bachelard and Avenue Edouard Belin — in front of a large mural celebrating local dancers, symbolising transformation, dynamism, and community spirit.

The event gathered a diverse and vibrant audience, and featured speeches from high-level representatives across local, regional, national, and European institutions. These voices reinforced a shared commitment to innovation, sustainability, and collaboration.

Speakers included:

• François Rebsamen, President of Dijon métropole and Minister for Regional Planning and Decentralisation
• Nathalie Koenders, Mayor of Dijon, ville et métropole
• Xavier Ursat, Executive Vice President for Strategy, Technologies, Innovation and Development, EDF
• Michel Neugnot, First Vice-President of the Burgundy Franche-Comté Region
• Philippe Froissard, Head of Unit, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, European Commission
• Anne Coste de Champeron, Secretary General for Regional Affairs, Prefecture of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté

Throughout the ceremony, a consistent message was heard: the time to act is now. From local energy networks to continental-scale strategies, the RESPONSE Project exemplifies how diverse stakeholders can join forces to create systemic change in urban environments.

As a designated Lighthouse City, Dijon métropole continues to lead by example, with the Fontaine d’Ouche neighbourhood serving as a living demonstration of the RESPONSE model: integrated, inclusive, and designed for climate resilience.

Looking Ahead

With the official inauguration complete, the RESPONSE consortium now turns toward the future. The days ahead will feature continued site visits, policy discussions, and visionary dialogues focused on: optimising local energy consumption, scaling renewable energy production, strengthening citizen participation and preparing cities for the challenges and opportunities of 2050.

The Dijon event has not only celebrated local achievements, but reaffirmed a European-wide ambition: to enable cities of all sizes to lead the transition toward climate neutrality through shared knowledge, coordinated action, and innovation that begins with people.