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

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

Design & Creativity WG

The Pact for Skills for CCIs - What next after the Year of Skills?

Francesca Pozzebon

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

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-

WG Related Events

WG Related Events

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.

EWRC: "Talent Attraction & Retention: Showcasing Regional Strategies"

The South Moravian Region, the Wielkopolska Region, the Slavonia, Baranja and Srijem Region, and the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region are partnering on a workshop on Talent Attraction & Retention: Showcasing Regional Strategies. The event is a part of the official EWRC programme.

Next Generation Innovators Summit

The Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union in collaboration with the European Commission organises a high-level conference to reflect on the New European Innovation Agenda, and to discuss the challenges faced by public and private actors concerning deep-tech innovation and its contribution to the twin and digital transitions. The event will take place on 10 October 2023 in Madrid.

ERRIN event: Organising a regional innovation ecosystem

This in-person ERRIN event on 4 October, organised in line with the Management Board priority on widening and deepening engagement in R&I, invites all ERRIN members to share and explore the ways to develop their regional innovation ecosystems going beyond any specific initiatives or funding opportunities. The event will enable informal mutual learning and exchanges of practices between network colleagues from across Europe in an interactive way.

CoR stakeholder consultation "Towards an integrated EU policy approach to support place-based innovation for the green and digital transition"

​​​The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) is drafting an opinion "Towards an integrated EU policy approach to support place-based innovation for the green and digital transition". Interested stakeholders are invited for a thematic consultation and exchange of views on 3 October 2023 from 10:00-12:00 at the CoR premises. Registration is possible by 29 September.

KEP 2.0 seminar: Implementation of the New European Innovation Agenda – What is in it for regions and cities?

​​​The European Committee of the Regions and the European Commission are organising a seminar on "Implementation of the New European Innovation Agenda – What is in it for regions and cities?" in the framework of their Knowledge Exchange Platform (KEP 2.0). The event will take place on 28 September from 14:30-18:00 in-person in Brussels, with ERRIN Director Pirita Lindholm as one of the speakers.

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.

WG Related Content

WG Related Content

ERRIN messages on Horizon Europe Missions Work Programmes 2023-2024

In the context of the Horizon Europe Missions Work Programme 2023-2024 that is currently underway at the European Commission, ERRIN is pleased to share its messages on the Mission work programmes for 2023-2024 and the involvement of regional actors within the Missions.

Violence Awareness Raising - from campaign to everyday practice (working title)

The city of Gothenburg has, for many years, worked towards the prevention of domestic violence. A topic of interest is for example notions of violence and threats as legitimate expressions of masculinity that should be actively counteracted in contexts that are particularly important in shaping the identity of boys and young men. Today, we know that the best way to prevent violence from occurring is to start with children and youths. There are many children and youth centres in the city, where staff have the possibility to reach out to young people and raise awareness, but these are difficult…

Looking for partners for: Development of sport tourism for regional sustainable development

Creating a partnership made up of policy relevant organizations from 4 different countries in Europe to work together and exchange experience on developing the regional tourism economy by creating, testing, implementing and monitoring a policy instrument (Ex: completing the county’s strategy of development (SDD) with the component Sports movement - element to promote the touristic potential). The project aims to create a hub (with representatives of public authorities, private companies, research institutes and citizens associations) as a way to develop sport and sport tourism in the region…

VIVES searches partners for: Ensuring equal access to health care and fostering resilience of health systems

In this new Interreg NEW project we have the ambition to improve accessibility to health and care services in rural areas, in particular we will reach out to older people who are at risk of isolation after their spouse passed away. By offering technology, we want to help this target group in daily activities such as cooking. We want to reach out before difficulties arises. We will develop innovative care services and smart approaches to avoid extreme isolation and by consequence of this isolation health problems like malnutrition or home accidents like falls.

ERRIN is looking for two Climate Neutral Cities Advisors (deadline: 15 May)

ERRIN is looking for two Climate Neutral Cities Advisors to join its Secretariat! The successful candidates will work to ensure the delivery of the Horizon Europe Mission on climate-neutral and smart cities by taking part in the activities of the NetZeroCities project. The deadline to apply is 15 May.

Consultation on brain drain - mitigating challenges associated with population decline

The European Commission is running a consultation targeted at individuals, regional authorities, academics, civil society and professional organisations on the scale and dynamics of brain drain.

Latest Updates

  • By Hilary Webb

Science meets Parliaments/Science meets Regions - Final report published

The Joint Research Centre's flagship initiative 'Science meets Parliaments/Science meets Regions' aimed to stimulate policymakers' engagement with the best available scientific evidence. The final report of the project is available now.

  • By Hilary Webb

Accelerating education for the SDGs in universities: new guide published

The Sustainable Development Solutions Network has published a new guide on helping universities and other higher education institutions to help society achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

  • By Hilary Webb

Digital Life Sciences open call for projects sharing data, tools and workflows in the cloud

The European Open Science Cloud (EOSC-Life) has launched a call for projects sharing data, tools and workflows in the cloud. The purpose of the call is to support the development of a wide variety of projects that will contribute to the long-term aims of an open digital space for data and tools in the life sciences. 

  • By Hilary Webb

Stakeholder survey on Pact for Skills ahead of November launch

As part of the European Skills Agenda it was announced that a Pact for Skills will be officially launched in November, a stakeholders' survey is now underway to collect valuable feedback.

  • By Anonymous

Erasmus+ project on diversification in digital education for primary schools

VIVES University of Applied Sciences are looking for partners for Erasmus+ project on diversification in digital education for primary schools.

  • By Hilary Webb

SELFIE tool for digital education updated due to coronavirus pandemic

The Commission has launched a new version of its SELFIE tool for digital technologies in schools ahead of increased distance learning education due to the coronavirus pandemic.