The City Council launches an institutional test bed to promote urban innovation

Published on October 7, 2025

Source: El Diario de Madrid

A pioneering commitment by Madrid City Council to institutional innovation

TheMadrid City Councilhas launched thefirst public call for Sandbox Madrid, a controlled testing environment designed to promotetechnological and sustainable projectsin real-world conditions. This initial phase willbe aimed exclusively at public sector entities, with the aim of testing innovative solutions before opening it up tocompanies and research centers.

The initiative, approved by decree of the delegate for Economy, Innovation, and Finance,Engracia Hidalgo, on September 16, implements Ordinance 1/2025 of January 28, which regulatescontrolled experimentation environments. With this ordinance, Madrid consolidates its position as one of the first European capitals to commit to public innovation under administrative supervision and legal certainty.