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

ERRIN Spring AGM 2023

ERRIN's Spring Annual General Meeting will take place on 22 June from 14:30-17:45 CEST, followed by networking reception. This year the event will be held in-person, with online streaming available for members who aren’t based in Brussels.

Connecting regional innovation valleys through circular industries

The Principality of Asturias through IDEPA, and the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission will organise the event "Connecting regional innovation valleys through circular industries" on 21-22 June in Gijón, Asturias (Spain). The conference will build on the experiences and learnings of the Partnerships for Regional Innovation (PRI) Pilot.

Joint I&I and Energy & Climate Change WG: The Net-Zero Industry Act for regional and local authorities

The Innovation & Investment and Energy & Climate Change Working Groups jointly organised an in-person meeting on 16 June 2023 (10:00 - 11:00) on the Net Zero Industry Act for regional and local authorities.

Wales Innovates: Creating a Stronger, Fairer, Greener Wales

Wales Innovates is the new Welsh Government Innovation Strategy aiming to create a 'Stronger, Fairer, Greener Wales' and the Strategy will be introduced at this event followed by a Q&A and drinks reception. Please register by 7 June.

Circularity and Innovation in West Sweden

The region Västra Götaland invites you to a seminar on the topic Circularity and innovation in West Sweden, under the umbrella of the Swedish presidency's priority Green and energy transition. The seminar will take place on 14 June from 14:30-17:00 in Brussels.

Solar Thermal Energy in Agriculture – Supporting technology uptake and political incentives

Pays de la Loire region invites you to a webinar showcasing results and policy recommendations from the EU-funded project: ICaRE4Farms. This webinar “Solar Thermal Energy in Agriculture – Supporting technology uptake and political incentives” will be held online (in English only) on 13 June 2023 from 10:00 to 11:30 am CEST.

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 welcomes new network Chairs

The ERRIN Management Board has appointed three co-chairs to the network. The three postholders will work together as a troika to guide the network in a collaborative manner in the period of 2024-2025.

Exploring Synergies between European Partnerships and EU Missions – Mutual Learning Event

ERRIN and the TRAMI project are organising a Mutual Learning Event aiming to explore synergies between European Partnerships and EU Missions. The event will take place on Wednesday 7 February from 9:00 to 12:00 (CET) at the NCBR Brussels Office, Rue Belliard 40, Brussels.

Innovation Fund calls to drive net-zero technologies open until April 2024

With a budget of €4 billion, the Commission has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting innovative projects that contribute to the EU’s green transition goals. The Innovation Fund 2023 calls covering sectors including decarbonisation, hydrogen, cleantech manufacturing, and maritime and energy-intensive industries are open until 9 April 2024, 17:00 (CET).

Expression of interest: Circular Cities and Regions Initiative Multi-Stakeholder Dialogues

The Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI), one of ERRIN's projects, is organising Multi-Stakeholder Dialogues in 2024-2025 to identify Research & Innovation Gaps that need to be bridged to boost the circular economy at the local and regional level. Experts are invited to express their interest in participating in the CCRI Dialogues to share their research and innovation needs and feed into the design of the Horizon Europe 2025-2027 calls.

Regional innovation highlighted in Council conclusions on R&I

On 8 December, the Council of the EU approved conclusions on strengthening the role and impact of research and innovation in policymaking – a priority file for the Spanish Presidency of the Council. A stronger role for local and regional innovation to strengthen competitive R&I is featured in the conclusions as one of the three mutually complementary dimensions.

ERRIN end of year reception - 2023 Highlights

On 7 December, ERRIN celebrated the network’s achievements in 2023. Following an engaging meeting with leaders of our 15 Working Groups, all ERRIN members were invited to a cocktail reception featuring a keynote from Markus Schulte, Head of Cabinet of Iliana Ivanova, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth. Check out ERRIN 2023 highlights in a 3-minute video.

Latest Updates

  • By Ewa Chomicz

Management Board elections 2022 – call for nominations launched!

Every year ERRIN holds elections for the Management Board. You can put forward your candidature for this year’s elections until 17 October.

  • By Lucy Hammond

Third set of calls for proposals under Digital Europe Programme now open

The Commission has opened the third set of calls for proposals of the Digital Europe Programme, worth €200 million, under the 2021-2022 Work Programmes. A new call is also open for European Digital Innovation Hubs with additional €30 million.

  • By Ewa Chomicz

REGIONS2030: Call for expression of interest - deadline extended

The European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) is inviting European regions to express their interest to contribute to the Pilot Project "REGIONS2030: Monitoring the SDGs in the EU regions - Filling the data gaps", supported by the European Parliament. The deadline for submitting an expression of interest is now extended until 10 October 2022.

  • By Gianpiero Petruzziello

The RECIPROCITY project has launched a call for tender to select financial experts for mobility projects

RECIPROCITY has launched a call for tenders to select a Technical Service of Financial Experts for Mobility Projects. The contract will be for 8 months and should cover around 20 consultations for a maximum allocated contract budget of 15,000€.

  • By Gaia Ialisa Marotta

The RECIPROCITY project has launched a call for tender to select financial experts for mobility projects

RECIPROCITY has launched a call for tenders to select a Technical Service of Financial Experts for Mobility Projects. The contract will be for 8 months and should cover around 20 consultations for a maximum allocated contract budget of 15,000€.

  • By Eva Damm

Research in Saxony - Regional foresight and innovation ecosystems

The Free State of Saxony is interested in contact with other European regional authorities with experiences in regional foresight/ strategy processes and regional innovation ecosystems in the fields of AI, Quantum Technologies and Personalised Medicine/ Life Sciences.