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

Next Working Group Meetings

Future Related ERRIN Working Group Meetings

Towards a Union of Skills: what can regions expect?

Science & Education for Society WG Meeting: Towards a Union of Skills: what can regions expect?

Astrid Hannes

After concluding the Year of Skills in April 2024, the European Commission announced the Union of Skills as one of the new initiatives for its first 100 days. This initiative aims to address Europe’s

How can fourth generation universities take up a transformative role for delivering innovation and impact for regions?

How can fourth generation universities take up a transformative role for delivering innovation and impact for regions?

Astrid Hannes

Many theoretical frameworks have been developed to measure the regional innovation impact of universities, aiming at analysing the socioeconomic impact that universities in Europe have on their

Last Working Group Meetings

Previous Related ERRIN Working Group Meetings

Workshop on the use of cohesion funds by research institutions – challenges and opportunities for the future

Workshop on the use of cohesion funds by research institutions: challenges and opportunities for the future

Astrid Hannes

ERRIN's Smart Specialisation and Science and Education for Society Working Groups are co-organising an interactive workshop with the support of the Young European Research Universities Network (YERUN

ERRIN Strategic Cluster Kick-Off Meeting: Towards European competitiveness and resilience

ERRIN Strategic Cluster Kick-Off Meeting: Towards European competitiveness and resilience

Ewa Chomicz

This ERRIN Strategic Cluster kick-off meeting will serve to launch the activities of the Policy, Smart Specialisation and Science & Education Working Groups in 2025. It will provide an

European University Alliances and their commitment to support the connection  of regional innovation ecosystems

European University Alliances and their commitment to support the connection of regional innovation ecosystems

Astrid Hannes

In September 2022 the SEFS Working Group discussed with the European Commission and regional examples the relationship between the then 44 European Universities and the S3-strategies of the regions

WG Related Events

WG Related Events

How can fourth generation universities take up a transformative role for delivering innovation and impact for regions?

ERRIN's Science and Education for Society (SEFS) Working Group is organising a meeting about the concept of 4th generation universities to explore how these universities can take up a transformative role for delivering innovation and impact for regions. This Working Group meeting will take place on Thursday 2 October at the ERRIN Office.

Save the date: European Research and Innovation Days 2025

Save the date for the European Research & Innovation (R&I) Days 2025, taking place 16-19 September in Brussels. The European Commission’s flagship research and innovation event will bring together policymakers, researchers, business leaders and innovation experts to discuss how research and innovation drive Europe’s competitiveness, sustainability and industrial leadership.

Science & Education for Society WG Meeting: Towards a Union of Skills: what can regions expect?

After concluding the Year of Skills in April 2024, the European Commission launced the Union of Skills as one of the new initiatives for its first 100 days. This meeting will inform the membership about the key aspects of the Union of Skills. Additionally, the event aims to provide insights into the regional dimension in this initiative and the reorientation for the skills funding that is envisaged.

ERRIN Spring Annual General Meeting 2025

Registration open! This year's AGM will be held on 17 June in the afternoon (the exact start time will be shared soon with the agenda), followed by networking drinks. The event will be kindly hosted by Emilia Romagna Region, the Representation of the State of Hessen to the European Union, Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region and Wielkopolska Region in their premises located in Rue Montoyer 21, 1000 Brussels.

'Cluster meets Regions' Conference: 3-4 June 2025 in Rzeszów (PL)

The Clusters Meet Regions event in Rzeszów, Poland will take place on 3-4 June 2025, hosted by the Local Government of the Podkarpackie Region in collaboration with the European Cluster Collaboration Platform (ECCP) on behalf of the European Commission. This event is part of the broader Clusters Meet Regions series, which aims to strengthen the role of clusters in regional economic development by fostering collaboration between clusters, policymakers, businesses and research institutions.

Online Info session: Regional Innovation Valleys & Preparatory Action - 2025 calls for proposals

On 3 June 2025, the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency is organising an informative webinar about the Horizon Europe Calls 'Implementing co-funded action plans for connected regional innovation valleys', 'Implementing co-funded action plans for connected regional innovation valleys in widening countries' and 'Preparatory action for setting up joint programmes among innovation ecosystems actors'. The calls will open on May 15.

WG Documents

WG Documents

Strengthening research, innovation and competitiveness – insights from 120 regional ecosystems

At this pivotal time for Europe, with the Commission's proposals for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10) getting closer, European Regions Research and Innovation Network (ERRIN) is pleased to provide inputs on how the EU can create the right conditions for R&I to thrive for a competitive Europe post-2027. Drawing our comprehensive paper series 'Towards the 10th Framework Programme', with insights gathered from the 120 regional ecosystems that ERRIN brings together, ERRIN has put together 10 key messages on the…

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

Partner search: Erasmus+ / Organizational readiness for the use of generative AI systems

Pomorskie region's Department of Education, in collaboration with Gdańsk University of Technology, is seeking a partner for a project aimed at supporting the organizational readiness of schools, higher education institutions, training centers, and other institutions related to the education system for the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) systems.

Call for Experts: Join the European Commission’s Expert Group on Cluster Policy

The European Commission has launched a call for applications to select members for its renewed Expert Group on Clusters. The group will provide guidance on how clusters can contribute to EU industrial priorities such as innovation, competitiveness and the clean transition. ERRIN encourages its members to consider applying and to contribute their expertise to this important policy dialogue.

Call for a School to test and shape Our Digital Literacy Project: “Navigating the Digital World: A Learning Resource for English-Speaking Schools”

The Center for digital dannelse is seeking a school (international English speaking) or educational institution in Europe to partner with for testing the materials, providing feedback, and collaborating on continuous improvements. If our application for the Civic Innovation Fund is successful, we aim to develop a digital literacy package specifically designed for English-speaking students. The materials will focus on the themes of digital citizenship, digital judgment, and community in the digital world, which are crucial topics for young people today.

European Commission adopts new I3 Instrument Work Programme for 2025-2027

The European Commission has officially adopted the Implementing Decision and the new (Interregional Innovation Investments) I3 Work Programme for 2025-2027, with a budget of over €176. The next I3 calls are planned to open in May 2025 and October 2025.

Clim’int(f)ox: Fighting disinformation regarding climate change

KuriOz is looking for a similar organisation in another European country to join forces on an Erasmus+ KA2 Youth Small-scale Partnership focussinf on fighting misinformation about climate change. The project will aim to equip European educators to carry out educational activities on the causes and systemic consequences of climate change by identifying, deciphering and deconstructing climate sceptic discourse.

Erasmus+ Forward Looking Partnership: Adult Learning IT-skills

ICT Tribe's mission is to discover, educate and connect IT talent, with a strong focus on social skills, digital competencies and the connection between theory and practice. It promotes the growth and deployment of IT talent in Almere and the region of Flevoland. Within Erasmus+, ICT Tribe aims to be cooperation partner within a European consortium in the call on Forward Looking Partnerships Priority 5. By sharing best practices with other European regions, methodologies around adult education, ICT retraining and digital skills can be improved and scaled up.

Latest Updates

  • By Maria Bostrom

Register now: ERRIN Spring Annual General Meeting 2025

Registration in now open for ERRIN’s Spring Annual General Meeting (AGM), which will take place in person on Tuesday, 17 June from 16:30 to 20:00 CEST, generously hosted by Wielkopolska Region, Emilia-Romagna Region, the Representation of the State of Hessen to the EU and Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region (Rue Montoyer 21, 1000 Brussels).

  • By Gianpiero Petruzziello

Horizon Europe 2025 Work Programmes are out: Express your interest on ERRIN’s Project Development Tool

The European Commission has published the 2025 Horizon Europe Work Programme, outlining €7.3 billion in funding for research and innovation projects across the EU. The calls are now available also on ERRIN’s Project Development Tool (PDT). ERRIN members and interested organisations are invited to navigate the PDT, express interest and search for partners.

  • By Maria Bostrom

Shaping the future of EU’s long-term budget post-2027

This week marked an important step in shaping the EU’s next long-term budget. On 6 May, the European Commission’s public consultations on the post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) closed. ERRIN submitted responses to three key consultations, grounded in extensive work with our members and outlined in 10 key messages calling for a place-based, ecosystem-driven approach in the future EU R&I funding. The following day, the European Parliament adopted its own initiative report on the future MFF, clearly rejecting elements of the Commission’s direction – notably the proposed single national plans and a centralised Competitiveness Fund, in line with ERRIN's stance.

  • By Anonymous

PILOT: ReUseNOW! – Drammen, Norway

Drammen Municipality is seeking a European consortium for HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-CIRCBIO-07 that aims to establish a mature and robust pilot for circular systemic solutions. Each component of our pilot demonstrates strong interdisciplinary collaboration and maintains a high TRL.

  • By Maria Bostrom

Strengthening research, innovation and competitiveness – insights from 120 regional ecosystems

At this pivotal time for Europe, with the Commission's proposals for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10) getting closer, European Regions Research and Innovation Network (ERRIN) is pleased to provide inputs on how the EU can create the right conditions for R&I to thrive for a competitive Europe post-2027. Drawing our comprehensive paper series 'Towards the 10th Framework Programme', with insights gathered from the 120 regional ecosystems that ERRIN brings together, ERRIN has put together 10 key messages on the next MFF.

  • By Astrid Hannes

Have your say: uptake of the Codes of Practice on Knowledge Valorisation

The European Commission has opened a survey on the uptake of the codes for knowledge valorisation. This short survey, which is open until 30 May, will inform the development of the future EU knowledge valorisation policy and looks into the codes covering the management of intellectual assets, standardisation, citizen-engagement and industry-academia co-creation for strengthening knowledge valorisation.