Working Group Leaders
Representatives of Brussels-based offices leading the work of the Science & Education for Society Working Group.
Science & Education for Society
The Science & Education for Society Working Group addresses topics related to the concept of place-based universities and engagement with society and citizens while also working on the role of education (both VET and Higher Education) in the Research and Innovation Smart Specialisation Strategies (RIS3) as well as education and skills for research and innovation. The Working Group facilitates information sharing, knowledge development, and aims to strengthen existing and build new relationships with the EU institutions. Facilitating project development is also part of the Working Group's scope. For this purpose, the Working Group assesses the interest of the membership for specific calls under Erasmus+ and support in the most efficient way the members in building consortia, primarily with the ERRIN online tool for project development.
ERRIN Contact
Future Related ERRIN Working Group Meetings
How can fourth generation universities take up a transformative role for delivering innovation and impact for regions?
Many theoretical frameworks have been developed to measure the regional innovation impact of universities, aiming at analysing the socioeconomic impact that universities in Europe have on their
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.The event is organised by ERRIN's
Previous Related ERRIN Working Group Meetings
Net-Zero Industry Act: Implementation and Opportunities
In the context of the EU Green Deal and the new Clean Industrial Deal, the Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA) is a key EU initiative that aims to strengthen Europe’s net-zero technology manufacturing
Science & Education for Society WG Meeting: Towards a Union of Skills: what can regions expect?
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
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
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!
How can fourth generation universities take up a transformative role for delivering innovation and impact for regions?
ERRIN's Science and Education for Society (SEFS) Working Group is organising a meeting about the concept of 4th generation universities to explore how these universities can take up a transformative role for delivering innovation and impact for regions. This Working Group meeting will take place on Thursday 2 October at the ERRIN Office.
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.
Alexa was born in Gdansk
Join this event and discover how the Pomorskie Region became a hub for cutting-edge technologies used in Amazon devices around the world by bringing together public institutions, universities and businesses.
Net-Zero Industry Act: Implementation and Opportunities
On 1 July (13:30-15:00), the Energy and Climate Change Working Group is organising an online webinar to update its members on the Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA)’s implementation. This meeting aims to support discussion on the potential roles of regions within the NZIA framework, highlight members’ interests and challenges and encourage reflections on the concept of Net-Zero Acceleration Valleys.
WG Documents
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.
WG Related Content
Have Your Say on the European Innovation Act: Call for Evidence & Public Consultation now open
The European Commission has launched both a Call for Evidence and a Public Consultation for the forthcoming European Innovation Act, a flagship initiative aiming to address the key challenges faced by all innovative companies in the EU in order to close the innovation gap between the EU and its global competitors. The feedback period is now open and will run from 8 July to 30 September 2025. ERRIN encourages all members to engage with this important initiative and submit your views through the Commission’s Have Your Say portal.
ERRIN in conversation with Commissioner Zaharieva on strengthening regional R&I ecosystems
Following our extensive and ongoing advocacy for a place-based dimension and ecosystem approach in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and 10th Framework Programme (FP10), ERRIN was pleased to meet with Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva, responsible for Research, Innovation and Startups. With the Commission's proposal for the next budget period just around the corner, ERRIN welcomed the opportunity to share insights, gathered from our 120+ regional ecosystems, on how the EU can create the right conditions for R&I to thrive for a competitive Europe post-2027.
Towards a Union of Skills: regions weigh in
On June 25, ERRIN's Science and Education for Society Working Group brought the regional perspective to Brussels during an insightful exchange with the Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu, focused on the Union of Skills initiative. ERRIN is committed to skills development and calls for reinforcing the place-based dimension in the roll-out of the Union of Skills, recognising territorial diversity of skills challenges across all regional ecosystems in Europe.
ERRIN's Spring Annual General Meeting 2025 focusing on the territorial dimension of the EU’s research and innovation funding landscape post-2027
On June 17, ERRIN members and regional stakeholders from across Europe gathered in Brussels for the network's Spring Annual General Meeting (AGM) – an opportunity to take stock of recent achievements, reaffirm shared priorities and engage in timely discussions on the territorial dimension of the EU’s research and innovation funding landscape post-2027. This year's AGM was generously hosted by Wielkopolska Region, Emilia-Romagna Region, the Representation of the State of Hessen to the EU and Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region and strategically held in connection to the Smart Specialisation Community of…
ERRIN joins European Cities and Regions call for stronger role in EU Governance
ERRIN alongside several ERRIN Members have joined more than 80 cities, towns, regions and 11 networks across Europe to call for a new era of EU policy making – one that acknowledges local and regional authorities as equal partners in shaping Europe’s future. Initiated by the cities of Malmö (Sweden) and Freiburg (Germany), in their respective roles as ICLEI’s Global and European Presidents, this joint letter emphasises that local and regional governments, who are responsible for implementing nearly 70% of European Green Deal legislation and 60% of climate-related public spending, are pivotal…
Ghent is looking for partners for the AMIF-2025-TF2-AG-INTE-03 Improving digital skills among migrants call
The City of Ghent is currently working on a project proposal for the AMIF call 'Improving digital skills among migrants' and is looking for partners.
Latest Updates
- By Maria Bostrom
Have Your Say on the European Innovation Act: Call for Evidence & Public Consultation now open
The European Commission has launched both a Call for Evidence and a Public Consultation for the forthcoming European Innovation Act, a flagship initiative aiming to address the key challenges faced by all innovative companies in the EU in order to close the innovation gap between the EU and its global competitors. The feedback period is now open and will run from 8 July to 30 September 2025. ERRIN encourages all members to engage with this important initiative and submit your views through the Commission’s Have Your Say portal.
- By Maria Bostrom
ERRIN in conversation with Commissioner Zaharieva on strengthening regional R&I ecosystems
Following our extensive and ongoing advocacy for a place-based dimension and ecosystem approach in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and 10th Framework Programme (FP10), ERRIN was pleased to meet with Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva, responsible for Research, Innovation and Startups. With the Commission's proposal for the next budget period just around the corner, ERRIN welcomed the opportunity to share insights, gathered from our 120+ regional ecosystems, on how the EU can create the right conditions for R&I to thrive for a competitive Europe post-2027.
- By Astrid Hannes
Towards a Union of Skills: regions weigh in
On June 25, ERRIN's Science and Education for Society Working Group brought the regional perspective to Brussels during an insightful exchange with the Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu, focused on the Union of Skills initiative. ERRIN is committed to skills development and calls for reinforcing the place-based dimension in the roll-out of the Union of Skills, recognising territorial diversity of skills challenges across all regional ecosystems in Europe.
- By Maria Bostrom
ERRIN's Spring Annual General Meeting 2025 focusing on the territorial dimension of the EU’s research and innovation funding landscape post-2027
On June 17, ERRIN members and regional stakeholders from across Europe gathered in Brussels for the network's Spring Annual General Meeting (AGM) – an opportunity to take stock of recent achievements, reaffirm shared priorities and engage in timely discussions on the territorial dimension of the EU’s research and innovation funding landscape post-2027. This year's AGM was generously hosted by Wielkopolska Region, Emilia-Romagna Region, the Representation of the State of Hessen to the EU and Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region and strategically held in connection to the Smart Specialisation Community of Practice (S3 CoP) 2025 Conference, organised the following day in Brussels.
- By Maria Bostrom
ERRIN joins European Cities and Regions call for stronger role in EU Governance
ERRIN alongside several ERRIN Members have joined more than 80 cities, towns, regions and 11 networks across Europe to call for a new era of EU policy making – one that acknowledges local and regional authorities as equal partners in shaping Europe’s future. Initiated by the cities of Malmö (Sweden) and Freiburg (Germany), in their respective roles as ICLEI’s Global and European Presidents, this joint letter emphasises that local and regional governments, who are responsible for implementing nearly 70% of European Green Deal legislation and 60% of climate-related public spending, are pivotal in driving tangible changes and should not be sidelined in European policy processes.
- By Anonymous
Ghent is looking for partners for the AMIF-2025-TF2-AG-INTE-03 Improving digital skills among migrants call
The City of Ghent is currently working on a project proposal for the AMIF call 'Improving digital skills among migrants' and is looking for partners.