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

Workshop on regional policies to promote the adoption of innovation by public administrations

The EU project Prepare brings together four regions that are interacting with the local ecosystems to design novel policies that promote demand-driven co-creation for the benefit of local public services, SMEs and citizens. The aim is to help unlock the potential of innovation procurement to turn regional needs into opportunities. A workshop with thematic insights, resources and best practices will take place on 27 June from 9:00-12:30 in Brussels.

EuroINNOWorkshop&Aperitif - "Veneto Data Platform"

VENETO DATA PLATFORM - Collection, analysis, and use of data for managing cities and territories to provide better services to citizens. The event will take place in Brussels on 24 June, 16:30-19:00.

ERRIN Spring AGM 2024

ERRIN’s 2024 Spring Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on 20 June from 15:00 to 17:15 CEST, followed by networking drinks until 19:00. This year, the event will be held in person at Scotland House (Scotland Europa, Rdpt Robert Schuman 6, 1040 Bruxelles).

Training workshop: Making innovation work for society

The REINFORCING project will host a series of training workshops focused on enhancing innovation through co-creation. These workshops will cover identifying societal needs, methods for integrating co-creation into research and innovation, and developing skills for effective uptake and facilitation. The first workshop will be organised online on 18 June between 14:30-16:30 CET.

Strengthening skills governance in regional innovation ecosystems: lessons learnt and remaining challenges

The forthcoming SEFS Working Group meeting will be dedicated to strengthening skills governance in regional innovation ecosystems. The members will learn about CHARTER's results, the first Erasmus+ funded sectoral blueprint that involved six regions to explore the place-based perspective on skills governance from a regional innovation ecosystem’s perspective. The event will take place online on 14 June at 10:00.

I3 Instrument - Online Info Session

On 13 June 2024 from 9:30-12:00, EISMEA and DG REGIO are organising an informative webinar to learn more about the following calls under I3 Instrument (ERDF): Strand 1 - Financial and advisory support for investments in interregional innovation projects, and Strand 2a - Financial and advisory support to the development of value chains in less developed regions. Both calls opened on 6 June and will close on 5 December 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

I3 Instrument “Capacity Building - Strand 2b” call now open

In the framework of the I3 Instrument, a new “Capacity Building in Less Developed Regions - Strand 2b” call was published in December 2022 with a deadline of 16 March 2023, 17:00 (CET). The objective of the call is to test new approaches in order to increase the capacity of regional innovation ecosystems in less developed regions participating in EU value chains.

Management Board elections 2022 – results

Between 3 and 17 October, ERRIN members could put forward their candidatures for this year’s ERRIN Management Board elections. Five new Management Board members were selected and approved at the Autumn Annual General Meeting on 8 December.

Horizon Europe work programme 2023-24 adopted

The Horizon Europe work programme 2023-24 has been adopted by the European Commission.

European Entrepreneurial Region (EER) Award call for applications

The 2024 edition of the European Entrepreneurial Region (EER) Award, promoted by the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), was launched during the European Commission's SME Assembly. Regions and cities that are ready to implement a future-oriented entrepreneurial strategy are invited to apply until 29 March 2023.

New European Innovation Agenda: Council conclusions adopted

On 2 December, the Council adopted the conclusions on the New European Innovation Agenda. We have collected some key points highlighted by the Council and ERRIN remarks on the document. The CoR opinion on the same topic, to which ERRIN provided comments, was also adopted on 1 December.

Largest public consultation on Horizon programmes 2014-2027 now open

The Commission has launched the largest public consultation ever held on the past, present and future of the European Research & Innovation Framework Programmes 2014-2027. Stakeholders are invited to share their views on the performance of Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe, as well as shaping the strategic orientations for the Horizon Europe Strategic Plan 2025-2027. The consultation will stay open for 12 weeks, closing in February 2023.

Latest Updates

  • By Francesca Pozzebon

ERRIN members showcase good practices at ICLEI B@S event on circular cultural tourism

The last edition of ICLEI’s flagship Breakfast at Sustainability’s series took place on 5 October 2023 from 10:00-12:00 CEST , in collaboration with ERRIN and as part of the Be.CULTOUR project. On this occasion, ERRIN members had the opportunity to take the stand and showcase inspiring examples of good practices demonstrating how circular approaches to tourism, human-centred destinations, and heritage-led transformations can contribute to building a sustainable future for all.

  • By Ewa Chomicz

169 country actions in support of the New European Innovation Agenda

On 19 September 2023, the European Commission published the list of actions that Member States and Associated Countries to Horizon Europe are so far undertaking or planning to undertake in support of one or more of the five flagships of the New European Innovation Agenda, including Flagship 3 closely followed by ERRIN. 20 countries have so far reported 169 actions in total, with their scope ranging from regional, through national to European.

  • By Ewa Chomicz

Management Board elections 2023 – call for nominations launched!

Every year ERRIN holds elections for the Management Board. Becoming a member of the Board offers a great opportunity to develop ERRIN further and strategically lead the network’s activities. You can put forward your candidature for this year’s elections until 5 October.

  • By Rodolphe Doité

Innovation and Investment WG: Call for regional examples of innovation-related support mechanisms

The Innovation and Investment Working Group is looking for examples of local and regional schemes that support stakeholders in their innovation projects for our meeting with the EIC President of the Board, Michiel Scheffer. The meeting will take place on 9 October between 17:30 and 19:30 CEST. 

  • By Ewa Chomicz

Regional Innovation Valleys: interest so far & matchmaking map

On 6 September, the European Commission published a matchmaking map showcasing European regions that have so far expressed their interest to become a Regional Innovation Valley (RIV) by applying to the call for Expression of Interest launched in March 2023. The call for EoI is still open for new submissions until 18 September 2023.

  • By Ewa Chomicz

ERRIN Extraordinary General Meeting on 16 November 2023 – important announcement for members

All ERRIN members are invited to save the date for the ERRIN Extraordinary General Meeting, which will take place on 16 November 2023 in the ERRIN premises. The meeting is organised to make the necessary changes to the ERRIN Articles of Association and a minimum of 2/3 of the ERRIN members must be represented. Therefore, the engagement of each member is of key importance (participation is possible online for associate members).