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

Get in Touch
Wim De Kinderen
Wim De Kinderen

Brainport Eindhoven EU Office Brussels

Get in Touch
Loles Vidal
Loles Vidal

Generalitat Valenciana

Get in Touch

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

European Partnership Stakeholder Forum - One-year review of European Partnership Initiatives in Horizon Europe

On 15 and 16 November 2022, the European Commission will launch its first European Partnership Stakeholder Forum. The Forum focuses on reviewing the first year of partnerships and, in particular, how they can contribute to the twin green and digital transitions, and increase Europe’s resilience. Participation is possible online or in person in Brussels.

Conference 'Business Opportunities in Slovenia'

From Wednesday 2 November 2022 to Friday 4 November 2022 a business conference 'Business opportunities in Slovenia' will be held in the Grand Hotel Union, Ljubljana, Slovenia, under the umbrella of the European Women's Handball Championship.

Brussels Talks: How to be an innovative region in Europe?

As part of the event series Brussels Talks, NCBR – Business & Science Poland are organising the online event 'How to be an innovative region in Europe?', with ERRIN director Pirita Lindholm as the main speaker. The event will discuss regional innovations ecosystems, how to support R&I capacities at local and regional level and how to reduce the innovation divide. Furthermore, the support offered by current EU funded programmes and initiatives will be explored.

I&I WG Meeting - EU Cluster Policies, state of play and future opportunities

On Wednesday 19 October from 14:00-15:30, the Innovation and Investment Working Group will host an on-site event on the topic of European Clusters policies.

ICRI 2022: International conference on research infrastructures

One of the major events of the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU - International Conference on Research Infrastructures (ICRI 2022) - will take place from 19-21 October in Brno, Czech Republic. The ICRI 2022 onsite attendance is by invitation only, but participation online is possible for everyone.

Translating EU Missions into regional policy

The TRAMI project and ERRIN are organising a mutual learning event on 18 October. The event will aim to showcase a successful translation of the EU Missions approach into concrete policies and tools on the regional level and to foster the discussion on challenges and opportunities with its implementation.

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

Express your interest in the EU Missions and New European Bauhaus Calls 2024

The European Commission has launched new calls for proposals to support research and innovation for its five EU Missions and the New European Bauhaus (NEB). ERRIN encourages all members and their stakeholders to express interest in the EU Missions and NEB calls through the ERRIN Project Development Tool (PDT).

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.

Latest Updates

  • By Hilary Webb

LIFE Programme to receive €280 million investment package

The European Commission has approved an investment package of €280 million from the EU budget to fund more than 120 new LIFE Programme projects.

  • By Agnieszka Wieczorek Jetha

ECSO joint objective to create a cybersecurity investment platform

ECSO is reaching out to several categories of public stakeholders to open a public-private discussion and enquire their political and institutional support.

  • By Agnieszka Wieczorek Jetha

We want to hear from you! Provide your input on priorities, topics, and activities for ERRIN in 2021.

To start planning the activities in the WGs for 2021, the WG leaders will meet according to the clusters to discuss the policy context, project development, and possible topics for the year ahead. All members are encouraged to feed in ideas.

  • By Hilary Webb

Organise a stakeholder session at EU Industry Days 2021

Submissions are open to express interest to organise a stakeholder session at EU Industry Days 2021. The sessions will take place between 24-26 February.

  • By Beata Skowronska

Inland Navigation School Complex in Nakło (Poland) is looking for a project

The Inland Navigation School Complex in Nakło nad Notecią (Poland)  is looking to participate in the projects in order to get finances for the purchase of a navigation simulator and the general modernization and refurbishment of the school.

  • By Hilary Webb

[Deadline extended: 6th November] Commission invites stakeholders to contribute to Workshop on complementary funding for cultural heritage

In preparation of a Workshop on complementary funding for cultural heritage that will be organised at the end of January 2021, the European Commission invites stakeholders to share examples of good practices.