The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) and the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) propose Partnerships for Regional Innovation (PRI) as a complementary approach building on positive experiences with smart specialisation strategies (S3). The ambition is to test tools for better coordination and directionality of regional, national and EU innovation policies towards implementation of the twin transition and tackling the innovation divide in the EU.

The name PRI replaces S4, as presented during ERRIN’s recent Smart Specialisation Working Group meeting. While the concept stays the same, the official name change is aimed at avoiding confusion with S3, which is still inscribed in Cohesion funds' rules. PRI is a voluntary initiative that may serve as a next complementary step in the development of Smart Specialisation as a framework for regional innovation policy, but is not connected to any regulation, ex-ante conditionality or enabling condition.

In this context, CoR is inviting expressions of interest from regions, groups of regions and Member States to participate in the CoR-JRC Pilot Action on PRI.

The PRI Pilot Action will involve up to 24 European territories (regions, groups of regions and Member States) who are driven to transform their economies and societies and who are willing to explore the new Partnerships for Regional Innovation in the design and implementation of their own strategic policy framework dealing with innovation, industrial development, sustainability transitions and broader economic and social development (e.g. their smart specialisation strategies). In addition to individual applications, joint applications can be made by groups of regions across Member States or from multiple levels of government in the same Member State or region (e.g. one or more regions and one or more national ministries) united by common economic or societal challenges.

The Pilot does not imply that the regions revise their strategies. It is complementary to strengthen synergies and the impact of innovation, including the development and diffusion of deep-tech technologies for solutions to sustainability challenges for all territories. The expected duration of the Pilot Action is one year.

More information on the call for expressions of interest and instructions on how to apply to participate in the PRI Pilot Action can be found here.

The deadline for applications is 25 April 2022. Selected participants will be announced in late April / early May and the Pilot Action launch event will take place on 17 May 2022.

JRC and CoR are hosting an interactive webinar on the PRI Pilot Call on 20 April at 12:00-13:00 CEST. Learn more here.

ERRIN’s Smart Specialisation WG is inviting all members who consider applying to the Pilot or are interested in it, to send an email to ewa.chomicz@errin.eu together with any questions related to the process, by 5 April, in advance of the scientific committee meeting that is to take place on 7 April. The aim is to keep track of the interest of network members in the PRI Pilot Action and to provide coordinated assistance. ERRIN maintains continuous collaboration with CoR and remains in touch with CoR and JRC with regard to PRI.