Working Group Leaders

Representatives of Brussels-based offices leading the work of Innovation & Investment Working Group.

Innovation & Investment WG Leader
Gabriele Pedrini

The Autonomous Province of Trento

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Wim De Kinderen
Wim De Kinderen

Brainport Eindhoven EU Office Brussels

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Loles Vidal
Loles Vidal

Generalitat Valenciana

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Innovation & Investment

The Innovation & Investment Working Group aims to monitor the main initiatives put in place by the European institutions under the priority ‘an economy that works for the people’ and explicitly target SMEs. The Working Group monitors industrial and cluster policy developments and promotes instruments that support innovative financing (e.g., cascade funding financial instruments).

ERRIN Contact

Last Working Group Meetings

Previous Related ERRIN Working Group Meetings

Strengthening skills governance in regional innovation ecosystems:  lessons learnt and remaining challenges

Strengthening skills governance in regional innovation ecosystems: lessons learnt and remaining challenges

Astrid Hannes

As the activities of the EU Year of Skills came to an end in April 2024, the Science and Education for Society Working Group is organising a Working Group meeting to reflect on the lessons learnt

Policy & Smart Specialisation WGs meeting: Widening in FP10 and impact on cohesion policy post-2027

Policy & Smart Specialisation WGs meeting: Widening in FP10 and impact on cohesion policy post-2027

Ewa Chomicz

The topic of widening gathers high attention in the discussions around the next European Framework Programme for R&I, raising questions with the potential to influence not only the Widening sub-

Policy WG meeting: Role of EU Missions in FP10

Policy WG meeting: Role of EU Missions in FP10

Ewa Chomicz

ERRIN has been closely involved in the design and implementation of the EU Missions since their inception. Missions remain one of the network's priorities and were one of the four main areas of focus

WG Related Events

WG Related Events

SEFS WG Meeting: Kicking off the European Year of Skills in the ERRIN Network: State of play of the Pact for Skills and its regional dimension

This first SEFS WG meeting will kick off the European Year of Skills in the ERRIN network and is open to members of all Working Groups. ERRIN members will have an in-depth look at the Pact for Skills and we will learn about the state of play of this first flagship of the new European Skills Agenda. We will also discuss with the European Commission the regional dimension of the Pact for Skills, the Regional Skills Partnerships and showcase examples from the Lombardy Region and the European Chemical Regions Network.

European Entrepreneurial Region (EER) 2024 award info day

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The European Entrepreneurial Region (EER) Info Day, taking place virtually on 3 February 2023 at 10:00 CET, aims to address regions awarded with the EER label as well as candidate cities and regions in preparing their EER application.

Smart Specialisation WG coffee meeting: I3 Strand 2b call

The I3 Instrument call for proposals under Strand 2b Capacity Building in Less Developed Regions is open until 16 March 2023. The S3 Working Group is pleased to invite all members for the online coffee meeting on 2 February from 10:30-11:30 to informally discuss this call, ask questions and exchange ideas for potential collaborations.

I3 Instrument Info Day

European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) is hosting an online info day on the I3 Instrument- Strand 2b Capacity Building in Less Developed Regions. The event will take place on 19 January between 14:30 and 16:40. 

Cluster 2 Brokerage Event for Work Programme 2023

Net4Society, the international network of National Contact Points for Cluster 2 "Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society" in Horizon Europe is organising an online brokerage event on 18-19 January.

Horizon Europe info day - Cluster 2

The Horizon Europe info day - Cluster 2 (Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society) will take place on 17 January between 09:00- 17:00.

WG Documents

WG Documents

ERRIN Year in review 2022

The ERRIN Year in review 2022 is out! Read the report to see the numerous activities ERRIN and its members have been involved in throughout the year.

ERRIN input paper on the Implementation Report of the European Innovation Council

ERRIN's input paper on the Implementation Report on the European Innovation Council brings together the first comments and recommendations received from the various stakeholders from ERRIN members.

WG Related Content

WG Related Content

ERRIN two-page input on FP10 for the attention of the Expert Group

As the work towards the next EU Framework Programme for R&I (FP10) continues, ERRIN is pleased to share its two-page input for the attention of the Expert Group on the interim evaluation of Horizon Europe. The document is a concise compilation of the reflections on FP10 done at ERRIN so far, highlighting topics of key importance. Work on a series of broader input papers is underway.

Extended deadline: Call for Circular Economy Experts providing personalised support for cities and regions

To better support the implementation of circular systemic solutions at the local and regional levels, the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative just launched a call for external experts who can offer personalised support to cities and regions. Experts should have at least five years of experience in the fields of stakeholder and citizen engagement, innovation and technology, business models and financial support, public procurement, or impact evaluation and can express their interest until 14 June 2024.

H-ARPA project proposes a healthcare model that integrates technological solutions to improve access, continuity of care, early detection of complications, and the quality of care for people with chronic diseases in rural settings

Rural areas face significant healthcare challenges. An aging population, a shortage of professionals, and geographic dispersion make it difficult to provide adequate care for chronic diseases. This leads to health inequalities between rural and urban populations and negatively impacts socioeconomic development. The H-ARPA project proposes a healthcare model that integrates technological solutions to improve access, continuity of care, early detection of complications, and the quality of care for people with chronic diseases in rural settings. The project will be supported by local healthcare…

ERRIN is looking for a Head of projects - Extended Deadline

In view of the upcoming departure of ERRIN's current Director of projects, Ryan Titley, ERRIN is looking for a replacement to start in September 2024. The new colleague will work closely with the ERRIN Director on strategic planning, and lead the implementation and development of ERRIN's current and future project portfolio. Extended deadline: Applications are open until 26 May at 17.00 CEST.

Empowering Innovation: Overview of Public Engagement in Research & Innovation

DG RTD has recently released a thematic report titled "Overview of Public Engagement in Research & Innovation", which provides an introductory overview of Public Engagement in Research and Innovation in Europe. The document aims to inspire and help public actors and policymakers to promote and support public engagement.

CircularInvest call for project promotors aiming to increase the investment readiness of their local and regional circular economy projects

CircularInvest helps cities and regions implement circular strategies by removing obstacles and closing the gap between circular economy project promoters and investors. A new CircularInvest call has been launched for project promotors who want to increase the investment readiness level of their local and regional circular economy projects. The deadline for applications is 13 September 2024.

Latest Updates

  • By Ewa Chomicz

Management Board elections 2022 – results

Between 3 and 17 October, ERRIN members could put forward their candidatures for this year’s ERRIN Management Board elections. Five new Management Board members were selected and approved at the Autumn Annual General Meeting on 8 December.

  • By Lucy Hammond

Horizon Europe work programme 2023-24 adopted

The Horizon Europe work programme 2023-24 has been adopted by the European Commission.

  • By Lucy Hammond

European Entrepreneurial Region (EER) Award call for applications

The 2024 edition of the European Entrepreneurial Region (EER) Award, promoted by the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), was launched during the European Commission's SME Assembly. Regions and cities that are ready to implement a future-oriented entrepreneurial strategy are invited to apply until 29 March 2023.

  • By Anonymous

Vienna Startup Package 2023

The Vienna startup package supports selected international startups, who want to develop their business idea in Vienna. Vienna Business Agency invites applications to the package until 24 February 2023.

  • By Ewa Chomicz

New European Innovation Agenda: Council conclusions adopted

On 2 December, the Council adopted the conclusions on the New European Innovation Agenda. We have collected some key points highlighted by the Council and ERRIN remarks on the document. The CoR opinion on the same topic, to which ERRIN provided comments, was also adopted on 1 December.

  • By Ewa Chomicz

Largest public consultation on Horizon programmes 2014-2027 now open

The Commission has launched the largest public consultation ever held on the past, present and future of the European Research & Innovation Framework Programmes 2014-2027. Stakeholders are invited to share their views on the performance of Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe, as well as shaping the strategic orientations for the Horizon Europe Strategic Plan 2025-2027. The consultation will stay open for 12 weeks, closing in February 2023.