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 coffee meeting: I3 Strand 2b call

The I3 Instrument call for proposals under Strand 2b Capacity Building in Less Developed Regions is open until 16 March 2023. The S3 Working Group is pleased to invite all members for the online coffee meeting on 2 February from 10:30-11:30 to informally discuss this call, ask questions and exchange ideas for potential collaborations.

I3 Instrument Info Day

European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) is hosting an online info day on the I3 Instrument- Strand 2b Capacity Building in Less Developed Regions. The event will take place on 19 January between 14:30 and 16:40. 

Cluster 2 Brokerage Event for Work Programme 2023

Net4Society, the international network of National Contact Points for Cluster 2 "Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society" in Horizon Europe is organising an online brokerage event on 18-19 January.

Horizon Europe info day - Cluster 2

The Horizon Europe info day - Cluster 2 (Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society) will take place on 17 January between 09:00- 17:00.

Four Motors for Europe Green Chemistry, Advanced materials and Recycling of plastics Matchmaking Event

Four Motors for Europe Green Chemistry, Advanced materials and Recycling of plastics Matchmaking Event will take place online on 16-17 January, organised by the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region's presidency of the Four Motors for Europe.

Horizon Europe info day - WIDERA Work Programme 2023-2024

The Horizon Europe WIDERA info day will take place online on 12 December between 09:30 and 17:00. This info day aims to inform (potential) applicants about the new topics included in the WIDERA work programme of 2023-2024.

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

Feedback opportunity for Horizon Europe work programme 2025

The European Commission opened an opportunity to provide input for the development of the Horizon Europe ‘main’ work programme 2025. Submitted responses will contribute to the co-design of the work programme 2025, covering all six clusters, research infrastructures, European innovation ecosystems, the five EU Missions and the New European Bauhaus facility. The deadline for feedback is 6 May 2024 midday, CEST.

Mobility Transition Pathway: Open call for Stakeholders' Pledges to drive green and digital transition

The European Commission has opened an online call, inviting stakeholders from various sectors to submit pledges aligned with the Mobility Transition Pathway. This inclusive approach welcomes participation from individual companies, business associations, social partners, NGOs, and local authorities.

The European Capital of Innovation Awards

In 2024, the European Innovation Council is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the European Capital of Innovation Awards. The competition rewards those European cities that are courageous enough to open their governance practices to experimentation and push the boundaries of technology for the benefit of their citizens. In addition to the monetary reward, the prize brings high visibility in the form of renewed public interest and increased media coverage. The deadline for submission is 18 June 2024, 17:00. 

The EIC launches a consultation on its Business Acceleration Services

The European Innovation Council (EIC) is launching a survey open to EIC beneficiaries, aiming to collect information regarding the use of the EIC Community Platform and the EIC Business Acceleration Services. The survey is open until 12 April 2024.

NEIA implementation report & Regional Innovation Valleys update

On 20 March, the Commission published the first report on the state of play of the New European Innovation Agenda, following its launch in July 2022. The document outlines the progress and achievements with regard to the 25 actions under Agenda’s five flagships, including the Regional Innovation Valleys. On the same day, an EU R&I Days debate on the way forward for RIVs was also held.

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.

Latest Updates

  • By Hilary Webb

Learn more about the ETHNA system project

ERRIN is an associated partner in the ETHNA system project, which aims to develop and apply an ethics governance system for the use of RRI in higher education, funding and research centres. Learn more about the project in its second newsletter.

  • By Hilary Webb

DG R&I publish Industry 5.0: Towards a sustainable, human-centric and resilient European industry

The European Commission has published Industry 5.0, a paper highlighting research and innovation as key drivers for the move to a more sustainable European industry, while placing the wellbeing of workers at its centre.

  • By Hilary Webb

Reinforced cooperation between EIC and EIT announced

The European Innovation Council and European Institute of Innovation and Technology have signed a memorandum of understanding to reinforce their cooperation regarding the support of highly-innovative start-ups.

  • By Anonymous

Looking for partners for COSME call on innovation uptake and digitalisation in the tourism sector

The Department of Tourism of the Autonomous province of Trento (Trentino) is looking for partners to address the digital transformation and growth of local service providers, mainly SMEs, whose level of digital literacy is not uniform and, on average, is quite low. The first objective is to develop, test and validate useful methods to deepen digital culture in the involved SMEs, and then to spread knowledge outside the scope of the project.

  • By Hilary Webb

Join the city of Eindhoven in a consortium of 5/6 public buyers purchasing innovative blockchain solutions for social services

The city of Eindhoven is looking for 5 other cities/regions interested in cooperation amongst public buyers towards the increased use and impact of public procurement to develop innovative blockchain solutions for social services.

  • By Hilary Webb

Drive efficient and impactful climate adaptation and mitigation actions in your region with ERRIN

ERRIN has been approached by the European Science Foundation (coordinator) and University College London (Principal Investigator) for a proposal under the European Green Deal area 9, call 9.2 and is launching a call for expressions of interest for ERRIN members to join the proposal as third parties.