Policy

The Policy Working Group works closely with the Management Board and the leaders of the other WGs to position ERRIN on cross-cutting policy issues. The WG follows closely overall research and innovation policy, in particular the Horizon Europe framework programme, from an overarching perspective and ensuring coordination of horizontal programme aspects. The WG also focuses on the preparations to the next framework programme (FP10), implementation of the European Research Area (ERA) as the renewed policy framework and agenda for research and innovation, as well as on the New European Innovation Agenda, especially strengthening ecosystems and the “Regional Innovation Valleys” initiative.

ERRIN Contact

Next Working Group Meetings

Future Related ERRIN Working Group Meetings

Policy WG internal meeting: State of play of FP10 and MFF post-2027

Policy WG internal meeting: State of play of FP10 and MFF post-2027

Ewa Chomicz

This internal Policy WG meeting will serve as an opportunity for discussion between members and ERRIN Secretariat following the publication of the European Commission’s legislative proposals for the

Smart Specialisation WG meeting: S3 in the next MFF post-2027

Smart Specialisation WG meeting: S3 in the next MFF post-2027

Ewa Chomicz

Following the publication of the European Commission's legislative proposals for the next EU long-term budget 2028–2034 (MFF post-2027) in July, this ERRIN Smart Specialisation WG meeting will offer

ERRIN’s Circular Economy event: opportunities and challenges for members

ERRIN’s Circular Economy event: opportunities and challenges for members

Gianpiero Petruzziello

ERRIN is organising its 'Circular Economy event: opportunities and challenges for members', taking place in person in Brussels on 21 October 2025 from 9:00 to 12:00.The event is organised by ERRIN's

Last Working Group Meetings

Previous Related ERRIN Working Group Meetings

Policy WG meeting: Exchange on ERA Policy Agenda 2025–2027 and ERRIN commitments

Policy WG meeting: Exchange on ERA Policy Agenda 2025–2027 and ERRIN commitments

Ewa Chomicz

Policy Working Group meeting on the new ERA Policy Agenda 2025–2027This upcoming event will serve as a follow-up to the 'ERA Policy Agenda 2025-2027 – A look ahead' Policy Working Group meeting

Towards a Union of Skills: what can regions expect?

Science & Education for Society WG Meeting: Towards a Union of Skills: what can regions expect?

Astrid Hannes

After concluding the Year of Skills in April 2024, the European Commission published in March 2025 the Union of Skills communication as one of the new initiatives for its first 100 days. This

Workshop on the use of cohesion funds by research institutions – challenges and opportunities for the future

Workshop on the use of cohesion funds by research institutions: challenges and opportunities for the future

Astrid Hannes

ERRIN's Smart Specialisation and Science and Education for Society Working Groups are co-organising an interactive workshop with the support of the Young European Research Universities Network (YERUN

WG Related Events

WG Related Events

ERRIN’s Circular Economy event: opportunities and challenges for members

ERRIN is organising its 'Circular Economy event: opportunities and challenges for members', taking place in person in Brussels on 21 October 2025 from 9:00 to 12:00. More information, call for regional examples and registration will be available in September. Please save the date.

ERRIN Intro Coffee

The ERRIN Secretariat is pleased to invite you to the upcoming ERRIN Intro Coffee, which will take place in person on 10 October from 10:00-11:30. The event will offer a concise introduction to ERRIN and its services, alongside a chance for networking. New network members and staff are particularly encouraged to join!

Smart Specialisation WG meeting: S3 in the next MFF post-2027

After the publication of the Commission's proposals for the next EU long-term budget post-2027 in July, this ERRIN Smart Specialisation WG meeting will aim to discuss the proposals for national and regional partnership plans and the role of Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3) in this context, while exploring other links. The event will take place on 25 September from 15:00-17:00 in person at the ERRIN premises.

Annual I3 Instrument Forum 2025 - registration open

The first Annual Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument Forum will take place in Brussels on 24-25 September 2025. Policymakers, regional authorities, and innovation leaders will gather to discuss the impact of the I3 Instrument, share best practices, and foster collaboration. Registration is now open - express your interest in attending by 4 September.

Save the date: European Research and Innovation Days 2025

Save the date for the European Research & Innovation (R&I) Days 2025, taking place 16-19 September in Brussels. The European Commission’s flagship research and innovation event will bring together policymakers, researchers, business leaders and innovation experts to discuss how research and innovation drive Europe’s competitiveness, sustainability and industrial leadership.

Policy WG internal meeting: State of play of FP10 and MFF post-2027

This internal Policy WG meeting will serve as an opportunity for discussion between members and ERRIN Secretariat following the publication of the European Commission’s legislative proposals for the next EU funding period and collectively plan related follow-up activities. This participatory event will take place on 2 September from 10:00–12:00, in person at the ERRIN premises.

WG Documents

WG Documents

Contribution of the Normandy Region to the public consultation on European funding for post-2027 competitiveness

Contribution of the Normandy Region to the public consultation on European funding for post-2027 competitiveness as part of the European Commission's public consultation on the next EU long-term budget.

Catalan preliminary position paper on FP10

This position paper is based on a thorough analysis of recent EU reports and policy trends, including the proposals by Enrico Letta6 , Mario Draghi7 , or Manuel Heitor8 . Catalonia fully recognises the importance of EU-wide coordination, but also stresses the need to embed regional voices and capacities into the design and implementation of FP10.

ERRIN’s 10 key messages towards the next Multiannual Financial Framework

At this pivotal time for Europe, with the Commission's proposals for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10) getting closer, European Regions Research and Innovation Network (ERRIN) is pleased to provide inputs on how the EU can create the right conditions for R&I to thrive for a competitive Europe post-2027. Drawing our comprehensive paper series 'Towards the 10th Framework Programme', with insights gathered from the 120 regional ecosystems that ERRIN brings together, ERRIN has put together 10 key messages on the…

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.

Draft ERRIN recommendations on the future of the European Research Area

In view of the upcoming European Commission communication on the future of the European Research Area, ERRIN has prepared a set of recommendations to strengthen the regional and local dimension of the ERA.

WG Related Content

WG Related Content

A self-standing FP10 and a strong territorial role confirmed in the next EU long-term budget

Just weeks before the Commission unveils its proposal for the next EU budget, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen provided long-awaited clarity at the EU Annual Budget Conference on 20 May 2025 – the Framework Programme 10 (FP10) will remain self-standing. She also reaffirmed the critical role of cities and regions in shaping reforms and investments. ERRIN welcomes these commitments, while underlining the continued need for joint advocacy to ensure that the territorial dimension is fully integrated into FP10 and Competitiveness Fund.

Horizon Europe 2025 Work Programmes are out: Express your interest on ERRIN’s Project Development Tool

The European Commission has published the 2025 Horizon Europe Work Programme, outlining €7.3 billion in funding for research and innovation projects across the EU. The calls are now available also on ERRIN’s Project Development Tool (PDT). ERRIN members and interested organisations are invited to navigate the PDT, express interest and search for partners.

Register now: ERRIN Spring Annual General Meeting 2025

Registration in now open for ERRIN’s Spring Annual General Meeting (AGM), which will take place in person on Tuesday, 17 June from 16:30 to 20:00 CEST, generously hosted by Wielkopolska Region, Emilia-Romagna Region, the Representation of the State of Hessen to the EU and Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region (Rue Montoyer 21, 1000 Brussels).

Public consultation on the future EU Affordable Housing Plan

The European Commission has opened a public consultation on the upcoming European Affordable Housing Plan, aiming to gather input from stakeholders across all levels - local, regional, national and European. The deadline to contribute is 4 June 2025.

Launch of the Preparatory Action: Innovation for place-based transformation

On 29 April 2025, ERRIN participated in the high-level launch event of the EU Preparatory Action 'Innovation for Place-Based Transformation', an initiative coordinated by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) with the support of the European Parliament. Bringing together stakeholders from the over 200 selected territories, many of which are ERRIN member, together with high-level speakers from the EU institutions, this event in the Berlaymont in Brussels marked the kick-start of the two-year innovation journey to tackle Europe’s most pressing territorial challenges through a place-based,…

Shaping the future of EU’s long-term budget post-2027

This week marked an important step in shaping the EU’s next long-term budget. On 6 May, the European Commission’s public consultations on the post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) closed. ERRIN submitted responses to three key consultations, grounded in extensive work with our members and outlined in 10 key messages calling for a place-based, ecosystem-driven approach in the future EU R&I funding. The following day, the European Parliament adopted its own initiative report on the future MFF, clearly rejecting elements of the Commission’s direction – notably the proposed single…

Latest Updates

  • By Maria Bostrom

ERRIN invites members to co-sign a joint letter for stronger shared governance in Europe

ERRIN has joined a growing alliance of local and regional actors by signing a joint letter initiated by the Mayors of Malmö and Freiburg, calling for a new era of genuine shared governance in Europe. We are now inviting ERRIN members to consider co-signing the letter to amplify the collective voice of regional and local authorities. Deadline to co-sign the letter is 6 June.

  • By Maria Bostrom

A self-standing FP10 and a strong territorial role confirmed in the next EU long-term budget

Just weeks before the Commission unveils its proposal for the next EU budget, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen provided long-awaited clarity at the EU Annual Budget Conference on 20 May 2025 – the Framework Programme 10 (FP10) will remain self-standing. She also reaffirmed the critical role of cities and regions in shaping reforms and investments. ERRIN welcomes these commitments, while underlining the continued need for joint advocacy to ensure that the territorial dimension is fully integrated into FP10 and Competitiveness Fund.

  • By Maria Bostrom

Register now: ERRIN Spring Annual General Meeting 2025

Registration in now open for ERRIN’s Spring Annual General Meeting (AGM), which will take place in person on Tuesday, 17 June from 16:30 to 20:00 CEST, generously hosted by Wielkopolska Region, Emilia-Romagna Region, the Representation of the State of Hessen to the EU and Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region (Rue Montoyer 21, 1000 Brussels).

  • By Gianpiero Petruzziello

Horizon Europe 2025 Work Programmes are out: Express your interest on ERRIN’s Project Development Tool

The European Commission has published the 2025 Horizon Europe Work Programme, outlining €7.3 billion in funding for research and innovation projects across the EU. The calls are now available also on ERRIN’s Project Development Tool (PDT). ERRIN members and interested organisations are invited to navigate the PDT, express interest and search for partners.

  • By Silvia Ghiretti

Public consultation on the future EU Affordable Housing Plan

The European Commission has opened a public consultation on the upcoming European Affordable Housing Plan, aiming to gather input from stakeholders across all levels - local, regional, national and European. The deadline to contribute is 4 June 2025.

  • By Maria Bostrom

Contribution of the Normandy Region to the public consultation on European funding for post-2027 competitiveness

Contribution of the Normandy Region to the public consultation on European funding for post-2027 competitiveness as part of the European Commission's public consultation on the next EU long-term budget.