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
Future Related ERRIN Working Group Meetings
Workshop on the use of cohesion funds by research institutions: challenges and opportunities for the future
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
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 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?
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
Previous Related ERRIN Working Group Meetings
ERRIN Strategic Cluster Kick-Off Meeting: Towards European competitiveness and resilience
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
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
SEFS Working Group meeting: Unlocking potential, regional perspectives on knowledge valorisation
In the 2022 Council Recommendation, knowledge valorisation is referred to as the process of creating social and economic value from knowledge by linking different areas and sectors and by
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.
'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.
Info Days: EU Missions calls 2025
The European Commission will host online Info Days on 22–23 May 2025 to present the 2025 calls for proposals under the EU Missions Work Programme of Horizon Europe.
Workshop on the use of cohesion funds by research institutions: challenges and opportunities for the future
ERRIN's Smart Specialisation and Science and Education for Society Working Groups are co-organising an interactive workshop about the use of cohesion funds by research institutions. This workshop, taking place on on Monday 19 May, is co-organised with the Young European Research Universities Network and will tack stock of the state of play, offer an opportunity for ERRIN members to exchange about challenges and opportunities for the future.
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
Partnerships and ideas taking shape at ERRIN’s Regional Innovation Valleys matchmaking event
On 10 April 2025, the ERRIN Policy and Smart Specialisation (S3) Working Groups organised a matchmaking event in anticipation of the two upcoming Regional Innovation Valleys (RIVs) calls under Horizon Europe to support members to prepare for applying. The event brought together over 50 regional and local stakeholders, offering a valuable platform for experience sharing, exploring proposal ideas and early-stage matchmaking.
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.
Latest Updates
- By Joel Audenaerde
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.
- By Maria Bostrom
ERRIN Paper Series: 'Connected regional innovation ecosystems – key for Europe’s competitiveness'
ERRIN is pleased to share its latest input paper on the role of R&I ecosystems in the future long-term budget post-2027, titled 'Connected regional innovation ecosystems – key for Europe’s competitiveness'. This marks the third paper in ERRIN's 'Towards the 10th Framework Programme' paper series, while also reaching beyond FP10, providing input more broadly on the next EU long-term budget post-2027, as discussions around European competitiveness and resilience are intensifying.
- By Silvia Ghiretti
Clean Industrial Deal: A new European roadmap for competitiveness and decarbonisation
On 26 February, the European Commission launched the Clean Industrial Deal, a major initiative aimed at strengthening European industry by combining climate action with competitiveness. This ambitious roadmap addresses critical challenges such as high energy costs, global competition and the need for industrial decarbonisation, setting out a clear trajectory for sustainable and resilient production across Europe.
- By Gianpiero Petruzziello
Horizon Europe Info Days 2025
The European Commission announced the dates of the upcoming Horizon Europe Info Days about the 2025 call for proposals. The Horizon Europe info days give prospective applicants and other stakeholders of EU research and innovation the opportunity to get information and ask questions about the main funding instruments ans processes of Horizon Europe.
- By Astrid Hannes
European Commission launches the Union of Skills
Skills shortages and gaps are hindering EU competitiveness. Many people are falling behind as job requirements evolve, while businesses struggle to find people with the right skills and qualifications. To address these challenges, the European Commission launched the Union of Skills. This new initiative will deliver a new approach, combining education, training and employment policies with a common vision of competitiveness. ERRIN invites its members to the forthcoming meeting of the Science and Education for Society (SEFS) Working Group taking place on 2 April, which is dedicated to the Union of Skills and aims to provide more insights of what region can expect.
- By Kaatje Gevaert
CERV Calls 2025
Artevelde University of Applied Sciences, one of Flanders’ largest Universities of Applied Sciences, provides education, applied research and services with a strong emphasis on quality, sustainability, and internationalisation and aimed at generating positive impact to contribute to a socially and ecologically sustainable world. Artevelde University of Applied Sciences recognises alignment with the following funding CERV calls and are open to discussing collaboration on project ideas.