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

Territories as leaders in responsible research and innovation

The Responsible Research and Innovation in Territories Leaders (RRI-LEADERS) project is holding its final policy conference on 19 October from 08:30-20:30 in Brussels. It will bring together participants from across Europe to explore the diverse experience of European territories in integrating Responsible Research and Innovation in territorial policymaking.

Birmingham Tech Week 2023

Birmingham Tech Week 2023, the UK’s largest regional tech conference will take place from 16-20 October. It will be a week of events aimed at showcasing the region’s innovation opportunities to an international audience, including future mobility and decarbonisation.

Moving on: towards a circular and sustainable European society

The MISTRA REES research program is organising a 2-day in-person workshop on 12 and 13 October about the circular transition from an industry perspective in Brussels. Several experts, both from industry as well as from academia, will discuss developments in policies, standards and business models.

Clusters meet Regions - Lyon, France

The European Cluster Collaboration Platform, is organising the “Clusters meet Regions” workshop on 12 and 13 October 2023, in Lyon, France.

EWRC 2023 workshop - Rethinking the post-industrial transition in cities and regions

Are you interested to know more about how local and regional authorities can play a vital role in the post-industrial transition? Join us – the Capital Cities and Regions Network (CCRN) – during the European Week of Regions and Cities 2023 on Wednesday 11th of October!

SynEnergy: Regions enabling the European Green Industrial Transformation

As part of the European Week of Regions and Cities, the event 'SynEnergy: Regions enabling the European Green Industrial Transformation' will be held on 11 October from 11:30 to 12:30. The workshop highlights the role of Regions in deploying hydrogen and solar projects and initiatives. Industrial conversion is a crucial driver for sustainable growth to more competitive and resource-efficient energy ecosystems for local industries facing transformational change.

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

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.

Gearing up for the Regional Innovation Valleys call for proposals under Horizon Europe

The planned launch of the Regional Innovation Valleys call for proposals under Horizon Europe is approaching on 17 May 2023. ERRIN is happy to share a recap of the latest insights and dedicated activities organised with the aim of supporting network members interested in applying to the call.

Latest Updates

  • By Hilary Webb

Propose a societal engagement story to the SocKETs project

The SocKETs project is looking for 'Societal Engagement Stories' produced by projects, organisations or individual writers on their experiences with societal engagement, emerging technologies or social challenges. 

  • By Anonymous

The Nicosia Tourism Board is interested in joining a consortium for the COSME TOURISM call (SMP-COSME-2021-TOURSME)

The Nicosia Tourism Board is interested in joining a consortium for the COVID-19 Recovery Through Sustainable Tourism Growth and SME Support (SMP-COSME-2021-TOURSME) call. The general objective of the action is to monitor the sustainability performance of SMEs in the tourism sector, whilst boosting their awareness, development and capacity in the area of sustainable innovations.

  • By Agnieszka Wieczorek Jetha

EIC Greenhouse Gas Programme: call for regions with decarbonisation challanges

The EIC Greenhouse Gas Programme aims to accelerate decarbonisation in Europe by co-developing cost-effective solutions to improve the sustainability of regions. A call for regions with decarbonisation challenges has just opened.

  • By Ewa Chomicz

Open call to support digitalisation of SMEs from Castilla y León through DIHs

The DIHnamic project opened a call for support for SMEs' digitalisation in collaboration with Digital Innovation Hubs. The call is addressed to SMEs from Castilla y León interested in improving their digitalisation status through the services provided by the DIHs.

  • By Etienne Rodzinka-Verhelle

Basque authorities coordinating a HE proposal on ci

Some entities of the Basque Country (Spain) are leading a proposal for Horizon Europe (topic: HORIZON-CL6-2022-CIRCBIO-01-01: Circular cities and regions initiative’s project development assistance), and are looking for European partners.

  • By Anonymous

A French-Spanish-Polish consortium is looking for a leader/partner of the project to apply to a New European Bauhaus call

A French-Spanish-Polish consortium is looking for a leader/partner of the project to apply to a New European Bauhaus call ( HORIZON EUROPE), related to the program: The New European Bauhaus – shaping a greener and fairer way of life in creative and inclusive societies through Architecture, Design and Arts possibly a municipality (bigger municipalities are ideal target but we consider the offer of smaller one as well), located in Europe and interested in developing innovative spatial green infrastructure but also SME’s, research centers etc.