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

Smart Specialisation WG meeting: STEP - regional perspective

The Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) is a new common European action to support EU industry and boost investments in critical technologies in Europe. The upcoming S3 WG meeting will offer a chance to gain an understanding of STEP from a general and regional perspective. It will also facilitate mutual learning with regard to integrating STEP into national and regional cohesion policy programmes such as ERDF or ESF+. The event will be held online on 10 April from 10:00-11:30 CEST.

Quantum Technologies for Cybersecurity: the Veneto initiative within the euroQCI programme

EUROINNOAperitif "Quantum Technologies for Cybersecurity: The Veneto initiative within the euroQCI programme" will serve as a platform to discuss and promote innovative applications aimed at empowering Europe. Scheduled for 16:30 on 9 April 2024, the event will take place at the Regione del Veneto - Bruxelles Office in Avenue de Tervuren 67 in Brussels.

Territories in ACTION

Following the launch of the ACTIONbook in January 2024, the JRC and CoR are organising an event to present the publication alongside insights from several territories on their innovative place-based transformations. As the ACTIONbook builds on the experiences from the PRI Pilot Action, next steps linked to this initiative will also be shared.

The next steps on the Tourism Transition Pathway - Cultural Heritage and Tourism Working Group Meeting

Following the T4T stakeholder event that will be held on 15 March and the continuous interest of ERRIN members towards the Tourism Transition Pathway (TTP), ERRIN's Cultural Heritage & Tourism Working Group is planning an online meeting taking place on 26 March, with the aim to provide members with the latest information on its initiatives and concrete achievements.

European Research and Innovation Days (R&I Days) 2024

The European Commission’s annual flagship research and innovation event will take place on 20 and 21 March 2024, both physically in Brussels and online. The R&I Days 2024 will give you the opportunity to debate how we can make Europe more sustainable and competitive and will celebrate the outcomes and achievements in research and innovation since the launch of the first R&I Framework Programme over 40 years ago.

ERRIN R&I Days networking reception

On the occasion of the European R&I Week, we would like to warmly invite you to a networking reception on 19 March from 18:00-20:30 at the ERRIN premises in Brussels (Rue du Luxembourg 3). On the eve of the EU R&I Days 2024, ERRIN wishes to bring together local and regional R&I enthusiasts from our community across Europe to meet up and discuss the way forward with the EU R&I policy and funding.  

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

Horizon Europe strategic plan 2025-2027 is out

On 20 March, the Commission adopted the second Horizon Europe strategic plan. The plan sets out three key strategic orientations for the EU's research and innovation funding for the last three years of the programme (2025-2027). Find out what novelties the new strategic plan brings.

Systems to quantify nitrogen fluxes and uncertainties in European landscapes

Call for Partner interest under the Mission Soil calls, focusing on Systems to quantify nitrogen fluxes and uncertainties in European landscapes.

Marching towards FP10 – ERRIN activity update

As we enter March and approach the European R&I Days, several ERRIN activities planned for 2024 with a link to FP10 have already taken place, and more are on their way. Have a look at an update with the outcomes of our recent work on the next European Framework Programme for R&I, next steps and opportunities to get involved.

Rural toolkit - Guide to EU funding and support opportunities

The Rural toolkit is a comprehensive gateway to EU funding and support initiatives available for rural areas in the EU. The Rural toolkit is the comprehensive guide to EU funding and support opportunities for rural areas in the European Union. It aims to help local authorities, institutions and stakeholders, businesses and individuals to identify and take advantage of existing EU funds, programmes and other funding and support initiatives, and to foster development in rural territories.

EU's Knowledge Ecosystems: A Regional Stakeholder Survey

The ERA FABRIC project, which aims to define the ERA Hubs concept across Europe, launched a survey for regional stakeholders to identify the most recurrent characteristics and parameters of excellence of European knowledge ecosystems. ERA Hubs concept remains of particular interest for ERRIN. The survey will be open until 10 March 2024.

ERRIN is looking for a Communications Assistant (traineeship)

ERRIN is looking for a Communications Assistant! This role is a perfect opportunity to gain first-hand experience in Research and Innovation and participate in the daily work of the organisation. The deadline to apply is 27 February.

Latest Updates

  • By Ewa Chomicz

2023 announced as the European Year of Skills

In her 2022 State of the Union Address, the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen announced the upcoming year as the European Year of Skills. ERRIN welcomes this announcement, as skills are among the priority areas where potential new activities are currently under discussion in the ERRIN Management Board.

  • By Francesca Pozzebon

RIPEET launches a Call for Innovative Energy Solutions in its Pilot Regions

In the frame of the H2020 funded project RIPEET ‘Responsible research and Innovation Policy Experimentations in Energy Transition’, the Pilot Regions: Outer Hebrides (UK), Ostrobothnia (FI) and Extremadura (ES) are launching a call for innovative energy solutions to best tackle the regions' specific challenges and contribute to sustainable energy transition.

  • By Ewa Chomicz

New members of the EU Missions Boards announced

Yesterday the European Commission announced 75 new top experts who will advise on the five EU Missions through serving on their Boards. ERRIN is thrilled that Françoise Guaspare from Île-de-France Europe, one of the Transport Working Group leaders, will join the Mission Board of the Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission.

  • By Ewa Chomicz

ERRIN autumn perspectives: R&I policy outlook

The first half of 2022 offered several key policy developments. To kick off the autumn, we propose a short outlook of what will keep ERRIN busy when it comes to the R&I policy perspective.

  • By Ewa Chomicz

ERRIN input to call for evidence for Horizon Europe interim evaluation

ERRIN has submitted its messages in response to the European Commission's call for evidence for the Horizon Europe programme interim evaluation.

  • By Arianna Cecchi

Region partner search for HORIZON call on climate resilience through NBS

Building a consortium of CONTINENTAL Regions to bid on a call to support the road to climate resilience through widespread adoption of Nature-Based Solutions