ERRIN Strategic Cluster 2026 Kick-Off Meeting

ERRIN Strategic Cluster 2026 Kick-Off Meeting

ERRIN members came together for the Strategic Cluster 2026 Kick-Off Meeting, officially launching the activities of the Policy, Smart Specialisation, and Science & Education for Society Working Groups for the year ahead. The meeting marked the start of a decisive year for ERRIN’s policy engagement, with 2026 set to play a critical role in shaping the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) post-2027 and the future of EU research and innovation policy. 

ERRIN Working Group leader Siri Raahede Bentzen (South Denmark EU Office) opened the policy discussion by presenting a snapshot of the extensive policy and advocacy work carried out by ERRIN in 2025, including inputs on FP10, EU Missions, widening, European Partnerships, and connected regional innovation ecosystems. Pirita Lindholm, ERRIN Director, then outlined what lies ahead in 2026, underlining the importance of mobilising all ERRIN Clusters around the MFF, maintaining close dialogue with the European Commission, the European Parliament and Member State representatives and providing concrete, evidence-based examples from regional R&I ecosystems.

From the Danish to the Cypriot Presidency – strengthening links to place-based innovation

The meeting focused on developments in the MFF post-2027 negotiations, taking stock of progress under the Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU and looking ahead to priorities under the upcoming Cypriot Presidency.

The meeting featured valuable exchanges with national-level representatives from the Permanent Representations to the EU.

Jimmy Bruun Felthaus, Minister Counsellor for Research & Innovation at the Permanent Representation of Denmark to the EU, outlined the state of play in negotiations on the future Horizon Europe (FP10) and the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF). He highlighted that discussions are taking place against a backdrop of the urgent need to move beyond siloed approaches, strengthen value chains and improve the scaling-up of research results. He informed that The Danish Presidency handed over to Cyprus with a full and demanding agenda ahead.

Looking ahead, Loizos Solomou, Research, Innovation and Space Policy Attaché at the Permanent Representation of Cyprus to the EU, presented the Cypriot Presidency’s key priorities in the field of research and innovation:

  • Enhancing the role of research and innovation in boosting EU competitiveness, resilience and strategic autonomy
  • Building Europe’s artificial intelligence capacity in science, research infrastructures and capabilities
  • Strengthening scientific diplomacy and cooperation with the EU–MENA region

Both attachés underlined a shared challenge: the need for greater clarity and stronger links between Horizon Europe and the European Competitiveness Fund, an issue expected to be central throughout 2026 as MFF negotiations intensify.

ERRIN members can access the presentations from the meeting on the event page. 

ERRIN policy messages and priorities for 2026

ERRIN welcomed the opportunity for an open and constructive dialogue with national-level representatives and to exchange views on key priorities and challenges ahead. In this context, ERRIN shared its key policy messages, including:

  • Establishing clearer links between FP10, the European Competitiveness Fund and National & Regional Partnership Plans (NRPPs)
  • Strengthening long-term support for territorial and place-based R&I ecosystems, and better connecting ecosystems across value chains and shared challenges
  • Ensuring that societal transformation remains high on the agenda and is recognised as an integral part of EU competitiveness
  • Sustaining and strengthening EU Missions beyond 2030, with Horizon Europe supporting R&I and the ECF enabling deployment and scale-up

Looking ahead

The kick-off meeting also provided an opportunity for members to explore the key workstreams and activities planned for 2026 across the Policy, Smart Specialisation, and Science & Education for Society Working Groups. The Strategic Cluster annual work plan will be published in early February. 

ERRIN members can learn more about how to contribute to ERRIN's ongoing work with drafting amendments for the ECF and Horizon Europe here.