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

How do we scale up Africa-Europe academic and scientific cooperation?

Universities in South Sweden organise an online event on 4 February to present examples of current work on Africa-Europe academic and scientific cooperation, and encourage discussion on the shared needs and ambitions of European and African universities. The future of EU-Africa cooperation through instruments such as Horizon Europe will also be discussed.

The European Strategy for Universities and system-level reforms: Quo vadis?

The European University Association is organising an event on the upcoming European Strategy for Universities and its interplay with national reform processes. The event will take place on 27 January 2022 with participation possible in person or online.

Forum of Universities for the Future of Europe

The French Presidency of the Council of the EU will this January host the Forum of Universities for the Future of Europe. ERRIN's Director Pirita Lindholm will participate during one of the discussions on 26 January.

RIPEET project - info session

Social innovation and energy transition are key topics for your region? Join us on 13 January to learn more about ERRIN's project RIPEET, and see how you can benefit from the results of the project and participate in its peer learning programme.

European Universities Information Session for the 2022 Call for Proposals

The European Education and Culture Executive Agency is organising an online information session dedicated to the European Universities 2022 call for proposals. The session will take place on 14 December at 10:00-12:30 CET.

ERRIN Autumn Annual General Meeting 2021

ERRIN's Autumn Annual General Meeting will take place this year on 9 December at 14:30-17:00 CET. In addition to offering highlights from 2021 and an outlook for 2022, the Autumn AGM will be an opportunity to continue ERRIN’s 20th-anniversary celebrations.

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

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

Erasmus+ funding granted to five new Platforms of Centres of Vocational Excellence

Five cross-border collaborative projects have been selected as platforms of Centres of Vocational Excellence and granted a maximum of €4 million each.

  • By Hilary Webb

Commission publishes SwafS recommendations for Horizon Europe

The European Commission has published its report of the Horizon 2020 funding programme for Science with and for Society (Swafs), where it makes recommendations for Horizon Europe.

  • By Simon De Wachter

KdG University of Applied Sciences and Arts is looking for partners for H2020-call on online radicalisation

The KdG University of Applied Sciences and Arts (Antwerp, Belgium) are part of a consortium of partners in law enforcement and civil society (academia and NGOs) from Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.

  • By Anonymous

The European Commission announced 24 new European Universities

The European Commission has announced 24 new European Universities. These were selected from the second pilot call under the Erasmus+ programme and are added to the first 17 alliances that were selected in 2019.

  • By Hilary Webb

Pact for Skills announced in EU Skills Agenda proposal

The European Commission has today announced the EU Skills Agenda. The package calls for a skills revolution to allow Europeans to adapt to the rapidly changing labour market by upskilling.

  • By Hilary Webb

Consultation on Digital Education Action Plan

The European Commission has launched an EU-wide public consultation to collect views on the future of digital education during the COVID-19 recovery period and after.