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

Online info day on 'European Innovation Ecosystems' and 'Startup Europe'

The European Innovation Council (EIC) and the SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) are together organising an informative webinar on two funding programmes.

Horizon Europe brokerage events

Six brokerage events are being organised to following their corresponding cluster at the Horizon Europe Info Days. The events, organised by different partners, will provide opportunities for applicants to meet, discuss their research, ideas and expertise with potential new partners and build consortia for the new Horizon Europe calls. 

Horizon Europe info-days

The European Commission has announced the first edition of the Horizon Europe info-days, which will take place over 10 days, divided into nine themes. From 28 June to 9 July 2021, the event will give prospective applicants insight into the novelties, main funding instruments and processes of Horizon Europe.

EU R&I Days: Re-imagining science advice to policy after COVID-19

As the global response to COVID-19 can be seen as a success story for scientific research and innovation, this EU R&I Days event will explore how lessons learned can be used going forward with the Recovery and Resilience Facility. 

Breakfast Webinar: How can cities and regions support a more circular building sector?

Gothenburg European Office, Småland Blekinge Halland South Sweden and Lille Métropole is hosting a breakfast webinar that asks 'how can cities and regions support a more circular building sector?'

European Research and Innovation Days 2021

The 2021 edition of the European Research and Innovation Days will take place as an online event this coming June.

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

Regional Innovation Valley for Circular Economy (RIVCircular) - Madrid

Comunidad de Madrid is looking for partners to join a consortium for the first call worth € 60 million linked to the Regional Innovation Valleys initiative: Horizon Europe, Interconnected Innovation Ecosystems (2023.3) (HORIZON-EIE-2023-CONNECT-03), in which about 6 projects are expected to be funded.

Implementing co-funded action plans for connected regional innovation valleys - Heat networks

Implementing co-funded action plans for connected regional innovation valleys – Decarbonising Heat & Cooling, with proposed focus on next generation heating & cooling networks

5G for Smart Communities Support Platform Launches Insight Consultation for Third Call

In preparation for an upcoming call, the 5G for Smart Communities Support Platform is conducting a consultation to gather valuable insights and feedback from key stakeholders. The deadline for responses is 7 June 2023. All responses are anonymous and will contribute to identifying concrete 5G use cases for future application developments.

Covenant of Companies for Climate and Energy launch pledging scheme  

The Covenant of Companies has launched a brand-new pledging scheme where companies, in making a pledge with our programme, commit to taking action to decarbonise. In return, they offer companies the knowledge and support they need to carry out these measures including a suite of advisory services. The second call for technical assistance is now open and the deadline for submission is 31 August 2023 18:00 CEST

Regional Innovation Valleys calls for proposals launched!

The first Regional Innovation Valleys calls for proposals under the European Innovation Ecosystems (EIE) part of Horizon Europe and under the Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument of the ERDF were launched by the European Commission on 17 May with an overall budget of EUR 122 million. The closing date for applying is 17 October 2023.

Call to join the Commission Expert Group on the Interim Evaluation of Horizon Europe

On 15 May, the European Commission's DG RTD launched a call for applications for the Commission Expert Group on the Interim Evaluation of Horizon Europe. The group shall gather 15 highly experienced members with the aim to provide the Commission with strategic recommendations to feed into the design of the next Framework Programme 2028-2034.

Latest Updates

  • By Agnieszka Wieczorek Jetha

Information concerning ERRIN Working Group meetings

In light of the current COVID-19 concerns and the guidelines given by the Belgian authorities, we regret to inform you that our upcoming Working Group meetings will be postponed or will take place online.

  • By Agnieszka Wieczorek Jetha

The European Industrial Strategy announced

The Commission has announced a new strategy that focuses on a new approach to European industrial policy. The new industrial strategy aims to drive competitiveness and strategic autonomy by supporting all players of European industry.

  • By Agnieszka Wieczorek Jetha

Information concerning the COVID-19 outbreak and ERRIN meetings

Considering the current outbreak of the Coronavirus and cancellations of some events taking place in Brussels, we would like to inform members that for the time being all ERRIN Working Group meetings will take place as planned, unless communicated otherwise.

  • By Hilary Webb

The European Capital of Innovation (iCapital) Award 2020

The annual prize for the European city best demonstrating its ability to harness innovation to improve its citizens' lives is now accepting applications for 2020.

  • By Hilary Webb

Social Innovation: an add-on to classical technology-focused innovation or a driver of the whole transition process?

Last week ERRIN was invited to moderate a KEP peer-to-peer event on social innovation in Zagreb, Croatia.

  • By Agnieszka Wieczorek Jetha

'Evidence informed policymaking' training course by JRC

A 2-day training course is organised on “Evidence informed policymaking” which will aim to introduce participants to useful tools, train them to navigate between different types of evidence and research methods, and reflect on how to deal with the many challenges of evidence-informed policymaking. ERRIN has been invited to nominate up to 3 candidates.