The European Commission through the S3 Community of Practice (S3 CoP), with ERRIN as part of the Secretariat, has launched two new calls for expressions of interest for regions for the creation of new Thematic Smart Specialisation Partnerships (TSSPs) and for receiving targeted support assignments.

The call for EoI for new TSSPs is open to regions (regional authorities and quadruple helix actors with a mandate from their regional authority) interested in initiating and exploring new value chains in specific priority areas based on a shared interest in their smart specialisation strategies (S3). TSSPs target specific areas with high potential for technological, societal, and ecological return at regional and European level, underpinned by shared S3 priorities across committed regions, cluster organisations, businesses, and innovation actors as well as civil society. The call for EoI is open continuously. Two cut-off dates for applications are proposed each year, with the first expected on 16 June 2023, followed by 30 September 2023.

Find guidance document to support your application, eligibility criteria and evaluation details here. Reply to the call for EoI here. The call is open continuously, with two cut-off dates expected each year, on 16 June and 30 September in 2023.

The call for EoI for targeted support assignments is open to regions (especially less developed ones) who would like to receive tailored assistance with regard to the fulfilment criteria and overcoming any challenges they may face during development or implementation of their S3. Based on the specific S3 needs and priorities expressed by the region, the targeted support assignment will be co-designed to devise targeted solutions in collaboration between DG REGIO, S3 CoP Secretariat, beneficiary region and designated expert selected from the S3 CoP pool of experts. Examples of assistance include support to Entrepreneurial Discovery Process, analysis of the available policy instruments and others.

Find more details here and reply to the call for EoI here. There is currently no deadline for expressions of interest.

At the same time, the call for EoI to join the S3 CoP pool of experts to provide targeted support assignments to regions is continuously open. Find more details here and reply to the call for EoI here.