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

Network of European Regions Using Space - General Assembly 2024

Invitation to the General Assembly of the Network Nereus - Network of European Regions Using Space. This year’s General Assembly will be built around two-panel debates focused on "Beyond the Horizon: "Attracting investments, businesses and smart brains in the light of the current framework for cohesion and structural policy 2021-2027” The event will take place in Brussels on 11 June, 11:00-17:30.

European Innovation Ecosystems - Online Info Session

On 11 June 2024 from 10:00-12:30, EISMEA is organising an informative webinar to learn more about the following calls under Horizon Europe: Expanding Academia-Enterprise Collaborations, and Mutual learning and support scheme for national and regional innovation programmes. Both calls are expected to open on 6 June and close on 19 September 2024.

Clean Energy Transition Partnership: Pre-Announcement of the Joint Call 2024

The Clean Energy Transition Partnership (CETP) of the Horizon Europe programme will launch its 3rd call in 2024. On 4 June, the CETP will host a webinar to present the topics that will be addressed in 2024 and to answer any open questions on how to apply for the call 2024.

UnILiON Brokerage Event under the Civil Security for Society Calls on Cluster 3 Calls

UnILiON invites you to its Brokerage Event under the Civil Security for Society Calls on Cluster 3 Calls, which will take place online on Monday, 03 June, 14:30 to 17:30 CET.

Information session on the European Innovation Procurement Awards

The European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) is organising an informative webinar to learn more about the European Innovation Procurement Awards (EUIPA). The webinar will take place on 30 May 2024, between 14:00-15:00.

Water4All Partnership - Green Week Partner Event 2024

In the frame of the Green Week, the Horizon Europe Partnership Water4All, together with the WaterCampus in Leeuwarden, organises an event to highlight the results of the first calls and highlight solutions for water resilience in cities and industries. The event will take place in Brussels on 30 May, 13:00 - 17:30.

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

Guidance on synergies between Horizon Europe and ERDF is out

The guidance on new opportunities to maximise the synergies between Horizon Europe and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) programmes was published by the European Commission on 5 July 2022. The document intends to provide a practical and user-friendly approach.

AMULET open call for cascade funding for SMEs

The H2020-INNOSUP-1 project AMULET opened a first open call for cascade funding for SMEs. The deadline has now been extended to 20 July.

The new European Innovation Agenda unveiled

On 5 July, the European Commission adopted the new European Innovation Agenda with the aim of positioning Europe at the forefront of the new wave of deep tech innovation and start-ups. The document, to which ERRIN submitted input in May this year, sets out 25 dedicated actions under five flagships, including on European Innovation Ecosystems.

ERRIN is looking for a Climate Neutral Cities Advisor (deadline: 29 July)

ERRIN is looking for a Climate Neutral Cities Advisor to join its Secretariat! The successful candidate 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 29 July.

Marine litter and pollution – Smart and low environmental impact fishing gears

This project addresses the challenges occurring from marine pollution caused by waste from fishing activities, in line with among others the Single Use Plastic Directive and the Port Reception Facilities Directive. The reduction of the marine pollution and preservation of marine fauna have high attention from the Commission where marine habitats, including seabed suffer negative effects e.g. from lost or otherwise discarded fishing gears.

ERRIN messages for Horizon Europe WIDERA Work Programme 2023-2024

As the Horizon Europe Work Programming for 2023-2024 is currently underway, ERRIN is pleased to share its messages and recommendations on the Horizon Europe WIDERA Work Programme for the coming period.

Latest Updates

  • By Agnieszka Wieczorek Jetha

First European Innovation Council Accelerator calls open

The European Commission opened the first EIC Accelerator calls following the launch of the European Innovation Council (EIC). The funding is worth over €1 billion and will help scale up start-ups and small and medium-sized businesses that have the potential to achieve high impact.

  • By Anonymous

Search engine innovation platforms in East and North Finland

Regions of East and North Finland (ENF) collaborate to develop new approaches based on smart specialisation. One of the goals is to develop new practices that support companies in utilising the expertise and versatile network of innovation platforms in the ENF area. The innovation platforms in East and North Finland have been collected to the East and North Finland Industrial Transition website. The website contains almost 50 service providers, or the so-called innovation platforms. The purpose of the site is to provide information of the different services offered to companies across the seven regions of East and North Finland, and to encourage interregional and international collaboration.

  • By Hilary Webb

EASME becomes EISMEA

EASME - the Executive Agency for SMEs - has transitioned into a new initiative called EISMEA - the European Innovation and SME Executive Agency. It will be responsible for SME support as well as innovation, single market, consumer policy and interregional innovation investments. 

  • By Hilary Webb

EIC launches to develop and expand breakthrough innovations

The European Innovation Council has been launched with €10 billion for 2021-2027 to develop and expand breakthrough innovations. It builds on the successful pilot programme in Horizon 2020.

  • By Hilary Webb

Horizon Europe strategic plan 2021 - 2024 adopted

The European Commission has now adopted the first strategic plan for Horizon Europe. The plan sets the strategic orientations for the research and innovation funding programme over its first four years.

  • By Hilary Webb

Co-Change Idea Competition

The Co-Change project is calling on innovators (individuals, teams and organisations) from across the world to present new solutions tackling the SDGs or societal challenges defined by the Commission through an ecosystem approach.