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

Skills in the health sector: Health WG

The Health Working Group meeting will update colleagues on the European Commission’s initiatives linked to staff and skills shortages and training and up-skilling of the health workforce, exploring how regions and their health and innovation ecosystems can be involved in these initiatives. The event will take place at the ERRIN offices on 15 May from 14:30-16:00.

Knowledge valorisation for the regional and local R&I ecosystems

On 14 May, the European Committee of the Regions and DG R&I of the European Commission organise a seminar on "Knowledge valorisation for the regional and local R&I ecosystems". The conference will focus on how regional and local authorities can foster knowledge valorisation and boost innovation ecosystems, translating knowledge into practical and innovative solutions. It will discuss the role of Codes of Practice in strengthening knowledge valorisation capacities in R&I ecosystems and stimulate a mutual learning exercise on main recommendations and a toolbox for policymakers at…

Pioneering Futures: Rethinking Cultural and Heritage Ecosystem

KU Leuven Institute for Cultural Heritage, in partnership with Una Europa and the Belgian presidency, is hosting an event on Pioneering Futures: Rethinking Cultural and Heritage Ecosystems. Hosted in Leuven as part of the official event calendar of the Belgian presidency of the Council of the European Union, this event welcomes policymakers, academics, practitioners, and wider stakeholders to chart a course for the advancement of cultural and heritage ecosystems within a regional, national, and European context. The event will take place on 14 May 2024.

Navigating ERRIN’s Project Development Tool – Training session

With the recent launch of its Project Development Tool (PDT), ERRIN is organising a training session for its members and stakeholders based in the regions to leverage its full potential. The session will take place online on Tuesday 7 May 2024 from 14:00 to 15:00. 

The European Year of Skills: What Comes Next?

On 30 April, the European Commission is organising the “The European Year of Skills: what comes next?” conference that will look back at the learnings of the EU Year of Skills. It will also be an important milestone to reflect on the road ahead. The conference will feature prominent political and stakeholder panels, inspiring speeches, insightful conversations, and interactive discussion groups on specific topics.

Humanities in Space: Challenges and Opportunities

Space exploration is an area of research traditionally associated with science and technology. However, many key questions regarding space also concern social sciences and humanities, as space activities have clear social, cultural, and economic impacts on our societies. The Beyond UNIVERSEH event will explore the importance of the humanities for space research with experts on 29 April from 13:30-17:30 at the offices of the Representation of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia to the EU.

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

ERRIN is looking for a Head of projects - Extended Deadline

In view of the upcoming departure of ERRIN's current Director of projects, Ryan Titley, ERRIN is looking for a replacement to start in September 2024. The new colleague will work closely with the ERRIN Director on strategic planning, and lead the implementation and development of ERRIN's current and future project portfolio. Extended deadline: Applications are open until 26 May at 17.00 CEST.

Empowering Innovation: Overview of Public Engagement in Research & Innovation

DG RTD has recently released a thematic report titled "Overview of Public Engagement in Research & Innovation", which provides an introductory overview of Public Engagement in Research and Innovation in Europe. The document aims to inspire and help public actors and policymakers to promote and support public engagement.

Express your interest in the EU Missions and New European Bauhaus Calls 2024

The European Commission has launched new calls for proposals to support research and innovation for its five EU Missions and the New European Bauhaus (NEB). ERRIN encourages all members and their stakeholders to express interest in the EU Missions and NEB calls through the ERRIN Project Development Tool (PDT).

Feedback opportunity for Horizon Europe work programme 2025

The European Commission opened an opportunity to provide input for the development of the Horizon Europe ‘main’ work programme 2025. Submitted responses will contribute to the co-design of the work programme 2025, covering all six clusters, research infrastructures, European innovation ecosystems, the five EU Missions and the New European Bauhaus facility. The deadline for feedback is 6 May 2024 midday, CEST.

The European Capital of Innovation Awards

In 2024, the European Innovation Council is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the European Capital of Innovation Awards. The competition rewards those European cities that are courageous enough to open their governance practices to experimentation and push the boundaries of technology for the benefit of their citizens. In addition to the monetary reward, the prize brings high visibility in the form of renewed public interest and increased media coverage. The deadline for submission is 18 June 2024, 17:00. 

NEIA implementation report & Regional Innovation Valleys update

On 20 March, the Commission published the first report on the state of play of the New European Innovation Agenda, following its launch in July 2022. The document outlines the progress and achievements with regard to the 25 actions under Agenda’s five flagships, including the Regional Innovation Valleys. On the same day, an EU R&I Days debate on the way forward for RIVs was also held.

Latest Updates

  • By Ewa Chomicz

169 country actions in support of the New European Innovation Agenda

On 19 September 2023, the European Commission published the list of actions that Member States and Associated Countries to Horizon Europe are so far undertaking or planning to undertake in support of one or more of the five flagships of the New European Innovation Agenda, including Flagship 3 closely followed by ERRIN. 20 countries have so far reported 169 actions in total, with their scope ranging from regional, through national to European.

  • By Ewa Chomicz

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.

  • By Astrid Hannes

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.

  • By Maria Sofie Juhl

Danish vocational school looking for partners to create projects focusing on development of the VET sector

AMU Nordjylland is a vocational School located in Northern Denmark, interested in forming strategic partnerships and project partners in transnational projects with a specific focus on the development and dissemination of innovative practices in the VET sector.

  • By Rose BERGÉ

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).

  • By Ewa Chomicz

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).