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

Cultural Heritage & Tourism WG Meeting: Tourism Transition Pathway

Following the publication by DG GROW of the report on the Transition Pathway for Tourism, the Cultural Heritage & Tourism WG is organising a meeting to stimulate conversation and inform relevant stakeholders on the topic.

8th Cohesion Forum: recover, rebuild, reconnect

8th Cohesion Forum, organised by the European Commission on 17-18 March, will debate how Cohesion policy can ensure that no region is left behind in the ongoing structural changes, and that all regions can reap the benefits of the green and digital transitions.

The Four Motors for industry: reshoring and attractiveness

In the framework of its presidency of the Four Motors for Europe in 2022, the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region is organising a video conference on the theme "The Four Motors for industry: relocation and attractiveness". The event will take place on 10 March 2022.

AI for industry and society: trust and frugality

French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) and French National Institute for Research in Digital Science and Technology (INRIA) organise a conference "AI for industry and society: trust and frugality" in the framework of the French Presidency of the Council of the EU.

ERRIN Intro Coffee

The ERRIN Secretariat is pleased to invite you to the upcoming virtual ERRIN Intro Coffee, aiming to offer a concise introduction to ERRIN and its services, as well as encourage networking between members. The meeting is directed mainly towards new ERRIN members and colleagues, but all interested members are welcome to participate.

EU Industry Weeks 2022: Taxonomy regulation at regional level

EU Delegation of the Government of Navarre is organising a workshop on good practices in the implementation of taxonomy regulation at regional level, building incentives for SMEs towards the circular economy. Different views, from DG GROW to regions, will be presented.

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 two-pager for European decision-makers

ERRIN is pleased to share a two-pager for the incoming European decision-makers, aiming to present the network and our value to the new MEPs, raising a voice for the importance of place-based R&I in the changing landscape. We encourage all ERRIN members to share the document with their MEPs to introduce ERRIN and the value of place-based R&I.

PRIMED - First open call for potential end users to obtain funding for testing and validating bio-based products

The PRIMED project has released its first open call to identify and engage potential end users interested in testing and validating bio-based ingredients and products. The open calls, offering a total amount of €500k, are split into €100k for each living lab, providing selected end-users for the opportunity to test and validate the added-value bio-based materials/chemicals/fuels/end products. The deadline for the application is on 30 September 2024.

Over 70 ERRIN member regions announced as Regional Innovation Valleys

On 19 June, the Commission announced the 151 regions identified as Regional Innovation Valleys following the call for EoI and calls for proposals in 2023. 75 successful regions come from ERRIN members. RIVs will aim to strengthen the regional innovation ecosystems, bridge the innovation gap and improve Europe's overall innovation performance. New calls for proposals under Horizon Europe are expected in 2025.

EIB's Circular City Centre (C3) initiative continues: support to thrive the circular transition in cities

The European Investment Bank is launching a new support phase of their Circular City Centre (C3) scheme. The C3 targets cities and the public sector promotors on their behalf and offers advice on their circular economy agenda and investment projects. Cities can benefit from guidance documents, resources, circular city advisory and capacity building workshops and project advisory services.

Launch of the new CCRI Knowledge Hub for Circular Economy

The Circular Cities and Regions Initiative has launched its Knowledge Hub to consolidate and expand the support activities made available for boosting circularity in European cities and regions. The CCRI Knowledge Hub will foster knowledge-sharing, mentoring, and capacity-building within the CCRI community and beyond.

ERRIN two-page input on FP10 for the attention of the Expert Group

As the work towards the next EU Framework Programme for R&I (FP10) continues, ERRIN is pleased to share its two-page input for the attention of the Expert Group on the interim evaluation of Horizon Europe. The document is a concise compilation of the reflections on FP10 done at ERRIN so far, highlighting topics of key importance. Work on a series of broader input papers is underway.

Latest Updates

  • By Hilary Webb

Leuven announced as European Capital of Innovation 2020

Leuven has been announced as the winner of the European Capital of Innovation 2020. The city will receive €1,000,000 for its excellent innovation concepts, processes and governence models.

  • By Hilary Webb

Highlights from President Ursula von der Leyen's first State of the Union

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen yesterday delivered her first state of the union speech and addressed EU4Health, increased ambition for the Green Deal and supporting innovation ecosystems with a European cloud for data.

  • By Ilaria d'Auria

Do you have a strategic interest in food, cleantech or maritime?

ERRIN has been invited to join a Horizon 2020 project proposal for the call on 'Cluster facilitated projects for new industrial value chains'. As part of this, we are establishing the first panel of organisations interested in being part of the project's innovation ecosystem - ERRIN members are invited to express interest by 18 September for this opportunity that will enable you to shape the regional challenges and innovative solutions.

  • By Hilary Webb

Commission launch survey on first strategic plan for Horizon Europe

In a bid to support the design of an ambitious EU research and innovation programme that supports Europe's recovery as well as the green and digital transitions, the Commission has launched a survey on its first strategic plan for Horizon Europe.

  • By Hilary Webb

First Innovation Fund call makes €1 billion available for Clean Tech solutions

The first call for large-scale projects from the Innovation Fund has launched. It calls for projects that will bring to market clean tech solutions needed for the EU to reach climate-neutrality. 

  • By Anonymous

COSME Clusters Go International: African electrical engineering market

The MEDEE cluster from Northern France is looking for European clusters to build a collaborative answer to the Call for Proposals “Cluster Go International” to be published in Q4 2020.