About | ERRIN Website

About ERRIN

The European Regions Research and Innovation Network (ERRIN) is a well-known Brussels-based platform that gathers around 120 regional organisations from more than 20 European countries. Established in 2001, ERRIN supports members to enhance their regional and local research and innovation capacities and further develop their R&I ecosystems. The network maintains a long-standing relationship with the EU institutions and other organisations to strengthen the regional and local dimension in EU Research and Innovation policy and programmes.

ERRIN offers a platform for knowledge exchange and facilitates regional collaboration, supporting its members through the project development process and providing project opportunities. ERRIN members collaborate through 12 Working Groups and two Task Forces, covering both thematic areas and overarching policy issues based on members’ priorities and on current funding opportunities. Working Group meetings are at the heart of ERRIN’s activities, as this is where our members meet regularly to exchange information, present regional examples, build new partnerships, develop joint projects, network and much more.

ERRIN director speaking to members at the Annual General Meeting

We have over

23 Years of experience

14

Working Groups and Task Forces

123

Regional stakeholder organisations

26

Countries

Our mission

Our work is guided by four missions:

Bringing a place-based perspective

ERRIN brings a bottom-up place-based perspective to European research and innovation policy and funding programmes. Through our member-driven working groups ERRIN strengthens EU policy development via the promotion of a regional innovation ecosystems approach and Smart Specialisation.

Making connections and facilitating EU engagement

ERRIN builds close, informal relationships between member regions, EU institutions, and other partners and works as a bridge between them. We facilitate access to people, knowledge, and ideas and encourage members to pool resources to more effectively respond to these opportunities.

Increasing project opportunities for members

ERRIN supports regional collaboration and project development by providing networking opportunities for members to share project ideas, best practices, and personal contacts. We develop and participate in projects that further members’ and the wider network’s interests.

Positioning regional interests in the research and innovation landscape

ERRIN supports EU policy development through the promotion of regional experience and expertise. We create platforms and participate in events to share members’ knowledge, further ERRIN’s reputation, and enhance the understanding of regional perspectives. This activity is essential for the successful delivery of the other ERRIN missions.