As we enter March and approach the European R&I Days 2024, several ERRIN activities planned for 2024 with a link to FP10 have already taken place, and more are on their way. Have a look at an update with the outcomes of our recent work on the next European Framework Programme for R&I, next steps and different opportunities to get involved in the discussion, below. Scroll all the way down for the  ERRIN community networking reception opportunity on 19 March!

At the end of January, the ERRIN member survey was launched, asking about the regional work on FP10, key issues to address and expectations in terms of support. One of the survey’s objectives is to help shaping network’s activities and position on FP10, receiving inputs from across the membership. The survey remains open – we encourage all members who haven’t contributed yet to submit their responses to influence ERRIN's work.

Over the first few weeks, 27 regional members from across 12 countries offered their answers, which served as a reference for discussions during the internal member exchange organised by the Policy Working Group on 22 February around regional work on FP10 and key issues to address. Following spontaneous interventions from members about their regional activities planned around FP10, we heard from colleagues from Greater Copenhagen EU Office, Stockholm Region EU Office and VLEVA / Flanders about the development of their regional input papers. We then continued with brainstorming and interactive session, discussing what FP10 should deliver for regions and their ecosystems, key issues that ERRIN should address in its work, broader areas of debate, and links to cohesion policy, among others.

Some of the issues on the table: continuation of EU Missions; widening; aligning R&I and cohesion policies; intra and inter-fund synergies, especially between FP10 and cohesion funding; stronger FP10 budget; excellence; regional innovation ecosystem-related initiatives; role of regions in European Partnerships; integrating industry and companies, especially SMEs in FP10; addressing the gap between societal interests and interests of academic excellence.

Other recent developments

On 7 February the ERRIN and TRAMI project Mutual Learning Event on synergies between European Partnerships and EU Missions took place. On 23 February, Ewa Chomicz, ERRIN’s Policy and Engagement Manager, shared reflections on the challenges and ways to support place-based innovation in the future at the Committee of the Regions SEDEC commission and Marche Region conference on "Place-based innovation for the EU's green and digital transition" in Ancona.

What’s coming up?

On 12 March, TRAMI project and UnILion will host a European Mission Network and Mutual Learning Event on the role of European Research in the EU Missions. Pirita Lindholm, ERRIN's Director, will be speaking at the session entitled "Is there a bright future for the EU Missions in the FP10?". Learn more and register by 5 March here.

On the occasion of the EU R&I week, we are organising an ERRIN R&I Days networking reception on 19 March from 18:00-20:30 at the ERRIN premises (Rue du Luxembourg 3, 8th floor). We cordially invite all network members and their regional stakeholders from across Europe to meet up and discuss the way forward towards FP10 in an informal setting. Learn more and register here.

More ERRIN FP10-focused Working Group meetings are also in the pipeline. We already invite you to save the dates on 23 April from 14:00-16:00 for an exchange on the role of EU Missions in FP10, and on 22 May from 10:00-12:00 for discussion on widening in FP10 and how the widening debate impacts the future cohesion policy post-2027. The events and registration will be published on the ERRIN website closer to the dates.