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).

ERRIN Contact

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

Policy WG meeting: Regional Innovation Valleys call under Horizon Europe – dealing with co-funding

In the frame of ERRIN’s focus on the Regional Innovation Valleys call under Horizon Europe (EIE RIV call), the requirement of 50% co-funding emerges as one of the most challenging aspects of the call for prospective applicant regions. The online Policy WG meeting on 29 June aims to discuss this urgent issue to further support network members in applying to the EIE RIV call by 17 October.

Stakeholder workshop on the progress of Horizon Europe

The European Commission is organising a stakeholder workshop on the progress of Horizon Europe in the context of the mid-term review. The event will take place online on 29 June from 10:00-13:00 CEST. Participants will be invited to take the floor and share their individual experiences with Horizon Europe up until now. Widening countries are particularly encouraged to take part.

All Hands On Deck: Mobilising the EU's Cohesion Policy to unlock Europe's Cities & Regions' potential to save energy

The Regione Lombardia and the European Alliance to Save Energy are organising an event on 29 June aiming to build forward-looking partnerships between regions & businesses on energy efficiency.

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.

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 contribution to call for evidence for the new European Innovation Agenda

ERRIN has submitted its messages in response to the European Commission's call for evidence for the development of the new European Innovation Agenda.

ERRIN is looking for a Policy and Communications Officer (deadline: 27 May)

ERRIN is looking for a Policy and Communications Officer to join its Secretariat! The successful candidate will work to support ERRIN in delivering high-quality services to members, raising the profile of ERRIN within the EU research and innovation field in Brussels, and contributing to the network's overall communication strategy. The deadline to apply is 27 May.

ERRIN messages on Horizon Europe Missions Work Programmes 2023-2024

In the context of the Horizon Europe Missions Work Programme 2023-2024 that is currently underway at the European Commission, ERRIN is pleased to share its messages on the Mission work programmes for 2023-2024 and the involvement of regional actors within the Missions.

ERRIN is looking for two Climate Neutral Cities Advisors (deadline: 15 May)

ERRIN is looking for two Climate Neutral Cities Advisors to join its Secretariat! The successful candidates will work to ensure the delivery of the Horizon Europe Mission on climate-neutral and smart cities by taking part in the activities of the NetZeroCities project. The deadline to apply is 15 May.

Covenant of Companies for Climate and Energy survey

The European Commission (DG ENER) has started a pilot project on how to best support companies and in particular SMEs towards their clean energy transition and climate action – called the ‘Covenant of Companies for Climate and Energy’ (CCCE). As part of this initiative the CCE is conducting a survey on the needs of EU companies and SMEs in terms of clean energy transition and climate action.

New cascade funding page is available now

The European Commission has created a new Funding & Tenders portal page to find and collect all cascade funding opportunities from all EU projects.

Latest Updates

  • By Hilary Webb

Commission adopts Sustainable Finance Strategy

The European Commission has adopted the Sustainable Finance Strategy, which sets out several initiatives to tackle climate change and other environmental challenges while increasing investment.

  • By Hilary Webb

First Horizon Europe calls launch

The first calls for proposals in the EU's new key funding programme for research and Innovation, Horizon Europe, are now open.

  • By Hilary Webb

Main Horizon Europe work programme adopted

The European Commission has adopted the main work programme of Horizon Europe for the period 2021-2022. The programme outlines the objectives and topic areas that will receive a share of €14.7 billion in funding.

  • By Agnieszka Wieczorek Jetha

Survey on the state of digital transformation at the regional level and Covid-19 induced changes

The European Committee of the Regions and EUROCHAMBRES invite you to participate in a short survey on the state of digital transformation at the regional level and Covid-19 induced changes to the economy and business models and their consequences for regions.

  • By Anonymous

Reduction of plastics and recycling of plastic waste through public procurement and public-private innovation across the plastics value chain

In Denmark, approx. 370.000 tons of plastic are incinerated every year which results in emission of approx. 1 million tonnes of CO2/year. In order to achieve Denmark’s target to reduce CO2 emissions by 70 percent by 2030 and achieve climate neutrality in 2050, long-term efforts must be made to minimize our plastic consumption and production and management of plastic waste. There is a need for innovation, which is aimed at reducing plastic consumption as well as waste management and treatment of plastics. In order to develop and test systemic solutions for reduction and increased recycling of plastic waste, there is a need for a strong partnership across several links in the value chain of plastics that can create holistic and practical solutions.

  • By Agnieszka Wieczorek Jetha

The new European Innovation Procurement Awards open

Call for public and private procurers: the new European Innovation Procurement Awards are open for applications.