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
Previous Related ERRIN Working Group Meetings
Strengthening skills governance in regional innovation ecosystems: lessons learnt and remaining challenges
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
The Pact for Skills for CCIs - What next after the Year of Skills?
The European Year of Skills is coming to an end after the Pact for Skills Forum (21- 22 March) and the Closing event, taking place on 30 April, which will reflect on the achievements of the past year
Policy & Smart Specialisation WGs meeting: Widening in FP10 and impact on cohesion policy post-2027
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-
WG Related Events
Retaining talents and skills for regional growth. What is the role of civil society partners?
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is organising a workshop on "Retaining talents and skills for regional growth. What is the role of civil society partners?". The event will take place in person in Brussels on 11 November, as part of the European Week of Regions and Cities 2023. Astrid Hannes, ERRIN's Project and Policy Manager, will take part in the workshop as a speaker.
EU Regions Week: The future of transport workforce - retaining talent and developing skills for regional development
European Week of Regions and Cities explores the future of transport workforce: retaining talent and developing skills for regional development.
SynEnergy: Regions enabling the European Green Industrial Transformation
As part of the European Week of Regions and Cities, the event 'SynEnergy: Regions enabling the European Green Industrial Transformation' will be held on 11 October from 11:30 to 12:30. The workshop highlights the role of Regions in deploying hydrogen and solar projects and initiatives. Industrial conversion is a crucial driver for sustainable growth to more competitive and resource-efficient energy ecosystems for local industries facing transformational change.
EWRC: Securing the inclusive skills of tomorrow
As part of EWRC, three local projects from Oslo, Gothenburg and Madrid on the importance of approaching the green transition through inclusive skills development will be presented. The three projects focus on socially inclusive development of skills from different angles. This session will take place on 11 October from 09:30-10:30.
EWRC 2023 - Workshop 'Providing the right skills for a water smart society'
#EURegionsWeek 2023 - Workshop "Providing the right skills for a water smart society"
EWRC Workshop “Thriving regions through science: how innovative research centres can retain talent and drive growth”
In this workshop, organised by the ERC as part of the European Week of Regions and Cities, politicians, scientists, and experts will discuss how research can contribute to regional growth and social cohesion. The workshop will take place on 10 October from 16:30-18:30.
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.
WG Related Content
The European Heritage Hub project is looking for good practices
The European Heritage Hub is collecting good practices to share throughout Europe and beyond! Administrations of a city or region are asked to submit highlights of their work in heritage in the context of the ‘triple transformation ’ – green, digital and social – of our society. Ten practices will be selected for publication and promotion through the European Heritage Hub. Cities whose good practices are selected also get the opportunity to host a peer learning visit with a delegation of 20 participants funded by the project (3 peer learning visits will take place between Q2 2024 and Q1 2025).
Regional innovation highlighted in Council conclusions on R&I
On 8 December, the Council of the EU approved conclusions on strengthening the role and impact of research and innovation in policymaking – a priority file for the Spanish Presidency of the Council. A stronger role for local and regional innovation to strengthen competitive R&I is featured in the conclusions as one of the three mutually complementary dimensions.
ERRIN end of year reception - 2023 Highlights
On 7 December, ERRIN celebrated the network’s achievements in 2023. Following an engaging meeting with leaders of our 15 Working Groups, all ERRIN members were invited to a cocktail reception featuring a keynote from Markus Schulte, Head of Cabinet of Iliana Ivanova, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth. Check out ERRIN 2023 highlights in a 3-minute video.
Erasmus Small-scale partnership - "Young in tourism"
Nord- Gudbrandsdal vidaregåande skule, Norway, is searching for schools and training centres with apprenticeships for an Erasmus Small-scale partnership - "Young in tourism". The region has a large growth potential in green development, but faces some challenges with their demographic and access to qualified labour.
A look forward: Launching ERRIN reflections on regional dimension in R&I post-2027
Autumn 2023 marked the start of ERRIN’s targeted reflections on regional dimension in research and innovation in the new EU Multiannual Financial Framework post-2027, relating to the next EU Framework Programme for R&I (FP10) and future cohesion policy. We are offering a recap of our activities so far, first messages and planned next steps.
Management Board elections 2023 – results
Following the call for nominations for ERRIN Management Board held between 20 September and 5 October, we are happy to announce the nominated Management Board members. The five nominees will be approved as new Management Board members at the ERRIN Extraordinary General Meeting on 16 November.
Latest Updates
- By Hilary Webb
Launch of International Learning Exchange Programme for Wales
Following the UK Government's decision to withdraw from the Erasmus+ scheme, the Welsh Government has announced the development of the International Learning Exchange Programme for Wales. The scheme will support learners and staff from, studying or working in Wales to continue to benefit from international exchanges in a similar way to opportunities previously presented by the Erasmus+ programme.
- By Hilary Webb
ERRIN's new SwafS project MOSAIC
Learn more about ERRIN's new project MOSAIC - Mission-Oriented SWafS to Advance Innovation through Co-creation. The project explores a Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) approach to Open Innovation, involving a range of different stakeholders.
- By Aija Konisevska Azadi
Looking for research partner providing methodology to incorporate, monitor and evaluate democratic participation in secondary school curriculum..
The main goal of the ”DID” project is to develop lesson plans deeply rooted in actual and immediate national and common European challenges in the area of politics and economics. These lesson plans will be a launchpad for a democratic and intercultural dialogue between students from various corners of Europe. Hereby we are looking for a methodological partner supporting framework development, monitoring and evaluation of the project results.
- By Vendula Novackova
South Moravian CEITEC Will Lead the New Alliance4Life_ Action Project
Alliance4Life’s new project A4L_ACTIONS, submitted under the Horizon 2020 programme, has been selected for funding. Alliance4Life’s next three years will thus be co-financed with a grant of 2 mil. EUR, which will allow a number of already successfully piloted good practices to be put into action. The new project will further strengthen the international reputations of Alliance4Life and project leader CEITEC Masaryk University, in terms of improving the culture and governance of health research-performing institutions, and in serving as an inspiration for research policy reforms in Central and Eastern Europe.
- By Hilary Webb
24 factsheets produced by European Universities alliances
Each of the 24 European Universities alliances selected in the 2020 call has now published a factsheet detailing their vision and activities.
- By Aija Konisevska Azadi
Looking for Erasmus+ project partners working in VET field having focus on addressing early school leaving challenges for 16-24 years old youngsters in the light of COVID-19 situation.
This project will develop an interactive digital toolbox providing online space for 16-24 years old children in Vocational education to find and apply relevant tools to support mental health, work with gender-based ESL in VET as well as provide more inclusive tools for students with mental handicap enrolled in VET. The online toolbox provides a more inclusive framework to address challenges as gender-based ESL enrolled in VET, providing a more individual approach.