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

Technology for society: Are we getting it right?

EuroTech Universities Alliance organises a high-level event exploring the benefits and limitations of technology for society. It will offer an opportunity to engage in a discussion with citizens, policymakers and researchers.

European Universities Initiative Brokerage event

Following the latest developments of the European Commission regarding the European Universities Initiative (EUI), there will be new calls for new EUI alliances to be funded under Erasmus+ starting from next year. The Universities Informal Liaison Offices Network, UnILiON, invite ERRIN members to participate in a brokerage event on the morning of 4 November. 

Connecting social innovation in Scotland and the UK

How can we create a more connected UK social innovation ecosystem with stronger transnational ties to Europe and beyond? This event will mark the beginning of the SI Connect initiative in the UK and will bring together social innovation leaders, researchers and practitioners in Scotland.

New European Research Area – Towards a Responsible Knowledge-Driven Society of the 3rd Millennium

The Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the European Union is organising a conference on the new European Research Area as one of its flagship events in the field of research and innovation. The event will be held in a hybrid format (both physically and virtually).

Galicia Innovation Days. Towards Horizon Europe

On 25-29 October, FEUGA, Galician Ministry of Education (Xunta de Galicia) and Galician University System (SUG) will organise an international online matchmaking event "Galicia Innovation Days. Towards Horizon Europe".

"Towards a large-scale skills partnership for the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) ecosystem” - Kick-off meeting

The Commission services (DG GROW, DG EAC, DG CNCT, in cooperation with DG EMPL) are organising an online kick-off meeting on the Pact for Skills for the Cultural and Creative Industries ecosystem. Stakeholders active in Cultural and Creative Industries, interested and committed in upskilling and reskilling of the workforce are invited to participate.

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 Aki Ishiwa

Let's stay in dialogue - practicing integration in the welfare systems

The dialogic approach is aimed at fostering a cultural change in how the organisation interacts with users, patients, and citizens, recognising the relational aspect as fundamental among all actors in the system. This event will be a chance to learn about and put into practice the dialogical approach. The event will take place online on 03 June, 14:00.

  • By Christine Hollner

Exploring Regional Science Diplomacy Seminar

Science diplomacy has traditionally been positioned in the framework of national and supranational endeavors. Consequently, the discourse and investigation into science diplomacy at the subnational regional level remains scant. This oversight is notable considering these actors also play a key role on the international stage, including through leveraging their scientific research and innovation capabilities to bolster their global profiles and contribute to solving global problems. This science diplomacy seminar will take place in Brussels, on 30 May, 16:30 - 18:00.

  • By Francesca Pozzebon

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

ERRIN Design & Creativity Working Group is hosting a meeting to discuss the Pact for Skills, its achievements and its legacy. The meeting will offer ERRIN members an overview of the current developments in the Large Scale Partnership for CCIs and some concrete ongoing examples in a dialogue with the European Commission.

  • By Astrid Hannes

CHARTER Webinar: Cultural Heritage Sector Dynamics across Europe: exploring gaps and needs in professional development

The CHARTER EU Skills Alliance for Cultural Heritage, one of ERRIN's projects, is organising a webinar on 29 May to present the project's findings on the sector's integrated dynamics and examine relevant stakeholders in the heritage sector. It will also allow participants to get insights into the process of mapping the cultural heritage sector in terms of skills and needs shortages in educational and professional contexts. The speakers will also present future scenarios and solutions.

  • By Central Denmark EU office

ESD Talk #2 - Uncovering skills for the future in healthcare

TEACH4SD is launching ESD-Talk#2: UNCOVERING SKILLS FOR THE FUTURE IN HEALTHCARE. This ESD-talk: will look into the health sector from the skills side. The healthcare sector is currently struggling with the increasing elderly population and the consequences of this (i.e. age-related diseases), which outs other requirements on the future workforce. 🌍 The webinar will take place on May 22 at 14:00.

  • By Ewa Chomicz

Policy & Smart Specialisation WGs meeting: Widening in FP10 and impact on cohesion policy post-2027

Widening and deepening engagement in R&I has been one of ERRIN's priorities. This joint Policy and Smart Specialisation Working Groups meeting will concentrate on widening as one of the key issues to address in the FP10 debate, considering also its impact on cohesion policy post-2027. The event will be held in person at the ERRIN premises on 22 May from 10:00-12:00.