The cities of Tallinn and Valencia have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a strategic partnership focused on urban innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology transfer. This marks Tallinn’s second initiative of this kind, following the agreement signed with Heidelberg earlier this May.

The MoU was signed in Tallinn on 22 May by Margot Roose, Deputy Mayor of Tallinn, and Paula María Llobet Vilarrasa, Vice-President of the CV Foundation for Strategic Promotion, Development, and Urban Innovation in the City of Valencia. The agreement aims to strengthen cooperation between the two cities to support pilot projects and foster the international growth of innovative companies.

Margot Roose, Deputy Mayor of Tallinn, stated that the partnership with Valencia marks an important step in expanding Tallinn’s international cooperation network. “Urban testing environments offer companies a real opportunity to test their solutions, taking into account local needs and conditions. Our goal is to open doors to new markets for Estonian companies and provide the strongest possible launch platform for everyone who wants to make cities smarter and more sustainable. The strategic partnership with Valencia is part of Tallinn's broader plan to create a Europe-wide innovation testing network among cities,” said Roose.

According to Paula María Llobet Vilarrasa, representing the City of Valencia, the agreement with Tallinn comes at a highly relevant time. “Thanks to this agreement, we are partnering with top players at a pivotal moment for the internationalization and scaling of our innovative business ecosystem. This cooperation reflects our City Council’s firm commitment to strategic alliances that support startups and companies in expanding globally and creating new jobs. It also encourages the uptake of innovative solutions in new markets and strengthens our capacity to attract investment,” said Llobet Vilarrasa.

The memorandum includes mutual recognition of Tallinn’s “Test in Tallinn” and Valencia’s “València Urban Sandbox” programmes. These initiatives provide companies the opportunity to implement pilot projects in both cities’ public urban spaces, supported by local governments and infrastructure.

The cooperation with Valencia follows the partnership signed between Tallinn and the German city of Heidelberg on 6 May 2025, which also focuses on cross-border urban testing and support for innovation-driven entrepreneurship. Tallinn-based companies can now pilot their solutions in two international partner cities, while Valencia and Heidelberg-based businesses gain access to Tallinn’s urban test environment.

The agreement also establishes an annual pilot programme, allowing each city to propose up to three projects to be tested by its partner. Startups will receive support in entering new markets, including city-level and partner assistance, and visibility at local innovation events.

In addition, the cities have committed to joint communication activities, including sharing information through official channels and publishing joint press releases.

The MoU is valid for one year, with the possibility of extension by mutual agreement. The parties may also develop additional implementation plans for specific projects.