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).

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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

Clean energy transition partnership - matchmaking event

The Pays de la Loire Regional Council invites you to an information and matchmaking session about the Clean Energy Transition Partnership (CETP) on 9 May in Nantes.

One Hour with Europe webinar series "Stimulating Clean Technologies Production: The Net-Zero Industry Act"

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology is hosting a One Hour with Europe webinar series "Stimulating Clean Technologies Production: The Net-Zero Industry Act" with Stefano Soro, Head of Unit Green and Circular Economy EC – DG Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs.

Sustainable Electronics & International Cooperation on Semiconductors – 26-28 April in Grenoble, France

The very first ICOS Workshop will be held on 26-28 April in Grenoble to gather an overview of the strategies of different leading countries in the field of semiconductors, of European and International roadmaps, and conduct an initial analysis of the gaps between EU activities and the most promising technologies highlighted in Roadmaps for possible future international collaborations – collaborations to be strengthened or to be proposed on topics of mutual interests.

Policy WG meeting: Regional Innovation Valleys call for proposals under Horizon Europe

Given the advanced planned launch of the highly anticipated “Implementing co-funded action plans for connected regional innovation valleys” HORIZON-EIE-2023-CONNECT-03-01 call for proposals on 17 May 2023, ERRIN’s Policy Working Group will organise a dedicated meeting on 25 April. Mapping of ERRIN members’ interest to develop project proposals under this call is also underway.

Breakfast Seminar on Impact Investment

Stockholm Region EU Office, together with Stockholm Business Region, welcomes you to a breakfast seminar on Impact Investment, at the Stockholm Region's EU Office on 25 April between 09:00 and 10:00.

AI and the role of the Public Sector - examples of AI in practice from West Sweden

Region Västra Götaland, in collaboration with RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, and Business Region Göteborg, is organising a workshop on AI and the role of the Public Sector, taking place on 24 April between 14:00 and 16:00.

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

Express your interest in the EU Missions and New European Bauhaus Calls 2024

The European Commission has launched new calls for proposals to support research and innovation for its five EU Missions and the New European Bauhaus (NEB). ERRIN encourages all members and their stakeholders to express interest in the EU Missions and NEB calls through the ERRIN Project Development Tool (PDT).

Feedback opportunity for Horizon Europe work programme 2025

The European Commission opened an opportunity to provide input for the development of the Horizon Europe ‘main’ work programme 2025. Submitted responses will contribute to the co-design of the work programme 2025, covering all six clusters, research infrastructures, European innovation ecosystems, the five EU Missions and the New European Bauhaus facility. The deadline for feedback is 6 May 2024 midday, CEST.

Mobility Transition Pathway: Open call for Stakeholders' Pledges to drive green and digital transition

The European Commission has opened an online call, inviting stakeholders from various sectors to submit pledges aligned with the Mobility Transition Pathway. This inclusive approach welcomes participation from individual companies, business associations, social partners, NGOs, and local authorities.

The European Capital of Innovation Awards

In 2024, the European Innovation Council is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the European Capital of Innovation Awards. The competition rewards those European cities that are courageous enough to open their governance practices to experimentation and push the boundaries of technology for the benefit of their citizens. In addition to the monetary reward, the prize brings high visibility in the form of renewed public interest and increased media coverage. The deadline for submission is 18 June 2024, 17:00. 

The EIC launches a consultation on its Business Acceleration Services

The European Innovation Council (EIC) is launching a survey open to EIC beneficiaries, aiming to collect information regarding the use of the EIC Community Platform and the EIC Business Acceleration Services. The survey is open until 12 April 2024.

NEIA implementation report & Regional Innovation Valleys update

On 20 March, the Commission published the first report on the state of play of the New European Innovation Agenda, following its launch in July 2022. The document outlines the progress and achievements with regard to the 25 actions under Agenda’s five flagships, including the Regional Innovation Valleys. On the same day, an EU R&I Days debate on the way forward for RIVs was also held.

Latest Updates

  • By Agnieszka Wieczorek Jetha

First European Innovation Council Accelerator calls open

The European Commission opened the first EIC Accelerator calls following the launch of the European Innovation Council (EIC). The funding is worth over €1 billion and will help scale up start-ups and small and medium-sized businesses that have the potential to achieve high impact.

  • By Anonymous

Search engine innovation platforms in East and North Finland

Regions of East and North Finland (ENF) collaborate to develop new approaches based on smart specialisation. One of the goals is to develop new practices that support companies in utilising the expertise and versatile network of innovation platforms in the ENF area. The innovation platforms in East and North Finland have been collected to the East and North Finland Industrial Transition website. The website contains almost 50 service providers, or the so-called innovation platforms. The purpose of the site is to provide information of the different services offered to companies across the seven regions of East and North Finland, and to encourage interregional and international collaboration.

  • By Hilary Webb

EASME becomes EISMEA

EASME - the Executive Agency for SMEs - has transitioned into a new initiative called EISMEA - the European Innovation and SME Executive Agency. It will be responsible for SME support as well as innovation, single market, consumer policy and interregional innovation investments. 

  • By Hilary Webb

EIC launches to develop and expand breakthrough innovations

The European Innovation Council has been launched with €10 billion for 2021-2027 to develop and expand breakthrough innovations. It builds on the successful pilot programme in Horizon 2020.

  • By Hilary Webb

Horizon Europe strategic plan 2021 - 2024 adopted

The European Commission has now adopted the first strategic plan for Horizon Europe. The plan sets the strategic orientations for the research and innovation funding programme over its first four years.

  • By Hilary Webb

Ten new European Partnerships proposed to fast-forward green and digital transitions

The European Commission has proposed to establish ten new European Partnerships between the European Union, Member States and/or the industry with the aim of speeding up the twin transitions.