A dramatic rise in the implementation of renewable energy sources is needed if we want to meet European climate protection targets. Photovoltaic (PV) costs have decreased spectacularly over time, turning photovoltaics into one of the most competitive sources of electricity in the EU. An economically feasible and space-saving approach to increase the capacity of renewable energy sources is to integrate PV systems into structures that already exist or to build new structures that originally integrate a PV function. Building-integrated and infrastructure-integrated PV are technologically proven solutions. Due to its multifunctionality, building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) installations can achieve a better economic and ecological balance over their lifetime than conventional building elements. New technologies for PV cells, electrical connections, and front and back covers allow a free choice of formats and colours for integrated PV modules. Likewise, infrastructure-integrated PV offers a large potential for PV integration, due to the unique advantages of somewhat standardized constructions, little emphasis on aesthetics and a small number of builders and owners compared to the building sector. However, integrated PV (IPV) is still a niche market. Several barriers are still preventing the massive integration of PV into buildings and infrastructure. The project MASS-IPV has been conceived as a multidisciplinary action that connects key players along the PV and construction value chains. The goal of the project is to demonstrate that suitable tools, technologies, and methods, combined with a collaboration framework among key stakeholders, can overcome the barriers preventing the mass deployment of IPV and deliver multifunctional and cost-effective IPV systems for buildings and infrastructure. Six different built objects will be used to demonstrate the technology, representing different construction typologies in five different locations in Europe.

The systemic use of urban landscapes for food production is a major step towards more sustainable, liveable and healthier cities. A multitude of initiatives around the World, however fragmented, are prospering, forming a global movement of Edible Cities. Their products, activities and services – the Edible City Solutions (ECS) - empower local communities to overcome social problems by their inclusive and participatory dynamics and to create new green businesses and jobs, and thereby generating local economic growth and fostering social cohesion. EdiCitNet will leverage the substantial benefits that ECS effect today at local level and catalyse their replication EU- and world-wide by launching a fully open and participatory network of cities, empowering their inhabitants by a common methodology a) to systematically explore the wealth and diversity of existing ECS, b) to adapt, plan and implement successfully proven ECS in their specific urban context. To make this happen, EdiCitNet will close knowledge gaps in the effective implementation of ECS and their transformation into sustainable, innovative business models. This new insight will feed into a openly shared and globally accessible knowledge base and methodology to enable sustainable and evidence-based integration of ECS into the long-term urban planning of cities covering a large spectrum of urban, climatic, social, environmental and cultural contexts. 5 Front Runner Cities (FRC), supported by a highly interdisciplinary consortium of city authorities, SME, NGOs and academia, will demonstrate their unique experience with own Living Labs and transfer their knowledge to 7 dedicated Follower Cities (FC), determined to replicate ECS for the benefit of their inhabitants. The carefully selected group of FRC and FC allows to study and monitor implementation in large variety of environments and also ensures truly global outreach with city partners based in Central America, Africa and East Asia