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.  

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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

Science for Policy Activities: Enabling Dialogues for Decision Making

This Science Europe event on 4 April will focus on its new Guidance on Science for Policy Activities, following on from their 2023 report Science Policy in Action: Insights for the Green and Digital Transition. The event is an opportunity to discuss the new guidance with a high-level panel of research organisation leaders directly engaged in science for policy activities in the context of geopolitical tension, ethical considerations, increasing digitalisation, and the emergence of Artificial Intelligence.

European Research and Innovation Days (R&I Days) 2024

The European Commission’s annual flagship research and innovation event will take place on 20 and 21 March 2024, both physically in Brussels and online. The R&I Days 2024 will give you the opportunity to debate how we can make Europe more sustainable and competitive and will celebrate the outcomes and achievements in research and innovation since the launch of the first R&I Framework Programme over 40 years ago.

The Role of Higher Education Institutions in Securing the EU’s Competitiveness and Resilience

The Finnish higher education institutions, together with Nordic partners, are hosting an event on The Role of Higher Education Institutions in Securing the EU’s Competitiveness and Resilience – Nordic Higher Education Institutions’ Perspectives for the 2024–2029 European Parliament and Commission. The event will take place on 19 March from 13:00- 20:00 in Brussels.

ERRIN R&I Days networking reception

On the occasion of the European R&I Week, we would like to warmly invite you to a networking reception on 19 March from 18:00-20:30 at the ERRIN premises in Brussels (Rue du Luxembourg 3). On the eve of the EU R&I Days 2024, ERRIN wishes to bring together local and regional R&I enthusiasts from our community across Europe to meet up and discuss the way forward with the EU R&I policy and funding.  

10th European Summit of Regions and Cities - Mons 2024

For its 10th edition, which coincides with the 30th anniversary of the European Committee of the Regions, the Summit will tackle topics at the heart of regions and cities' concerns, such as democracy, sustainable development, the future of the European Union and its enlargement, the need to ensure social, economic and territorial cohesion, as well as dealing with the consequences of the war against Ukraine. Global challenges will be addressed by bringing together different perspectives from across the world.

European Research and the EU Missions?: European Mission Network (EMIN) and Mutual Learning Event (MLE)

The TRAMI Project, in partnership with UnILion, are hosting an inspiring European Mission Network (EMIN) and Mutual Learning Event (MLE) focused on the role of European Research in the EU Missions on 12 March from 09:00-14:00 in Brussels. Pirita Lindholm, ERRIN's Director, will be speaking at the session entitled "Is there a bright future for the EU Missions in the FP10?".

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

Management Board elections 2023 – call for nominations launched!

Every year ERRIN holds elections for the Management Board. Becoming a member of the Board offers a great opportunity to develop ERRIN further and strategically lead the network’s activities. You can put forward your candidature for this year’s elections until 5 October.

Open call for technical assistance: Harnessing talent, empower regions

Until 20 October 2023, 46 regions that have been identified as facing a sharp working-age population decline, in combination with a low and stagnating share of people with tertiary education and brain drain can apply for an open call for technical assistance under the Talent Booster Mechanism.

ASDER - A French training centre seeks to join a consortium for Horizon Europe call

ASDER, a renowned French training center, seeks to join a consortium for Horizon Europe call "CBE JU supporting activities for the New European Bauhaus Academy, a network for re-skilling and upskilling towards a sustainable construction ecosystem" (HORIZON-JU-CBE-2023-2-S-01).

ERRIN Extraordinary General Meeting on 16 November 2023 – important announcement for members

All ERRIN members are invited to save the date for the ERRIN Extraordinary General Meeting, which will take place on 16 November 2023 in the ERRIN premises. The meeting is organised to make the necessary changes to the ERRIN Articles of Association and a minimum of 2/3 of the ERRIN members must be represented. Therefore, the engagement of each member is of key importance (participation is possible online for associate members).

Call for Action: Youth Freedom of Expression

Youth Freedom of Expression is a project concept where organisations working for youth participation join forces in identifying and mitigating barriers to youth freedom of expression in Europe. The partnership will build capacity and promote action for enabling greater freedom of expression among European youth at organisational and individual levels though finding and testing innovative practices and joint initiatives, and through forming a joint forum for the promotion of youth freedom of expression in Europe.

European Commission launches the Harnessing Talent Platform- Call for Working Group Participation

Deadline extended until 22 September! The European Commission has just launched the Harnessing Talent Platform (HTP), a centralised online hub providing relevant information, knowledge, and assistance to help EU regions dealing with demographic challenges to attract, develop and retain talent. A call is now open for stakeholders to join 4 Working Groups on Digital, Health, Research & Innovation and Territorial themes.

Latest Updates

  • By Astrid Hannes

How is cultural heritage integrated into regional development? CHARTER Alliance publishes new report on six regional case studies conducted by ERRIN

CHARTER, the European Cultural Heritage Skills Alliance funded by Erasmus+, has released a new report showcasing findings and conclusions from six regional case studies conducted by ERRIN members in the Basque Country (Spain), Sibiu (Romania), Bremen (Germany), Alentejo (Portugal), Tuscany (Italy), and Västra Götaland (Sweden) in 2021-2023. The report synthesises how skills for cultural heritage are integrated into regional development policies and strategies, examining sector-integrated dynamics within these regional ecosystems. The report provides recommendations for developing long-term regional skills policies, enhancing skills governance and strengthening skills intelligence at the regional level through data-driven policies.

  • By Francesca Pozzebon

Call for Applications for IN SITU Summer School

Applications are now open to join IN SITU Summer School, “Place-based creative solutions for cultivating caring and sustainable communities" (20-24 September 2024), and the IN SITU Conference "Horizons of Sustainability: The power of creative innovation for transformation of rural and non-urban futures" (25-27 September 2024), both held in the beautiful island of Zlarin, Croatia.

  • By Astrid Hannes

Input for the candidate Partnership on Social Transformations and Resilience

ERRIN is inviting members to contribute input to the candidate Horizon Europe Partnership on Social Transformation and Resilience and the R&I topics that should be addressed by the partnership by 14 June. The four predefined objectives for this new Partnership are social protection and essential services, future of work, education and skills and a fair transition towards climate neutrality.

  • By Ewa Chomicz

Showcase your EU-funded project at the ERA Conference on 18-19 September 2024

Would you like to showcase your EU-funded project to an audience of key European stakeholders? In preparation for the high-level ERA Conference on 18-19 September 2024, INSPIRING ERA is looking for innovative and impactful projects that have made significant contributions to the European Research Area. Call for proposals is open until 7 June.

  • By Aki Ishiwa

Cohesion policy post-2027 - letter from regions to President Von der Leyen - support by 30 May

A letter was addressed last week to Ursula von der Leyen with the support of 111 European regions, ERRIN and CPMR, requesting a meeting with the aim of defending the future of the cohesion policy. Given the wish of other regions to adhere, the letter is planned to be resent at the end of this week - interested regions are invited to provide their logos by Thursday 30 May.

  • By Astrid Hannes

SEFS Working Group is looking for a new co-leader

ERRIN's Science and Education for Society (SEFS) Working Group is looking for a new co-leader. To reflect the diversity of the ERRIN network in the co-leaders groups, we particularly invite members representing regional authorities to express their interest by applying before 5 July.