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
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
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
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
WG Related Events
Launch event for the Preparatory Action ‘Innovation for Place-Based Transformation'
On 29 April 2025, the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) will officially launch the Preparatory Action ‘Innovation for Place-Based Transformation’ – a two-year initiative supported by the European Parliament and involving nearly 240 territories across Europe.
NetZero Energy&H2POLAND: Conference on decarbonisation industry in Central and Eastern Europe
The Wielkopolska Region is organising the conference 'NetZero Energy & H2POLAND'. It is one of the most important conferences on the decarbonisation industry in Central and Eastern Europe. The event will take place on 8-10 April 2025 in Poznań.
Voices of the CHARTER Community webinar: Cultural Heritage skills strategies, skills development, recognising prior learning
During this Voices of the CHARTER Community webinar on 27 March, you will learn about inspiring skills and practices for cultural heritage in the Tuscany Region, Sibiu County and Finland. How to ensure better recognition of cultural heritage skills and knowledge, from prior learning to craft expertise? How to counteract the loss of heritage skills while fostering a more diverse and inclusive workforce? And most importantly, how can we develop a skills strategy that will align cultural heritage skills with a rapidly changing scenario?
Smart Factories of Tomorrow: Transitioning to Industry 4.0/5.0
The Slovenian Business & Research Association (SBRA), the Slovenian Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport and the Strategic Research Innovation Partnership of Factories of the Future (SRIP FoF) are co-organising the conference, "Smart Factories of Tomorrow: Transitioning to Industry 4.0/5.0", taking place on the 26 March 2025, from 09:30 to 13:00 at the University Foundation in Brussels, Belgium.
'Cluster meets Regions' Conference: 26–27 March 2025 in Eindhoven (NL)
Join the first 'Clusters meet Regions' EU conference in 2025, Eindhoven edition. A timely international event during which you celebrate clusters and challenge them to play an even more important role in strengthening European Competitiveness. Dive into policy and thematic discussions (Robotics, AI, semiconductors, safety&security, Agri-&Foodtech) and discover the Brainport Eindhoven region during site visits.
ERRIN Intro Coffee
The ERRIN Secretariat is pleased to invite you to the upcoming ERRIN Intro Coffee, which will take place in person on 21 March from 10:00-11:30. The event will offer a concise introduction to ERRIN and its services, alongside a chance for networking. New network members and staff are particularly encouraged to join!
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
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.
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).
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…
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.
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.
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.
Latest Updates
- By Maria Bostrom
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.
- By Urszula Sokolowska
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.
- By Maria Bostrom
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.
- By Maria Tørnsø Østergaard
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.
- By Maria Bostrom
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.
- By Sarah Clugnac-Pavlovic
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.