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

Evaluating the societal innovation impact of R&I: learnings from Horizon 2020 and looking forward to FP10

This forthcoming SEFS Working Group meeting on Monday, 22 April, is dedicated to the outcomes of the Ex post-evaluation of Horizon 2020 was published on 29 January 2024. It will discuss the impact of Horizon 2020 funding for social innovation and look forward to FP10. The aim of the meeting is to foster a better understanding of what worked well and what the remaining challenges are.

Regulatory Sandboxes as Enablers for CleanTech and Circular Innovation – EU Level Experiences and Future Collaboration Possibilities

This in-person event focuses on what regulatory sandboxes can provide to facilitate the deployment of disruptive technologies in CleanTech and Circularity. Regulatory sandboxes are an experimentation tool allowing innovators to develop and test products, services and business models in a controlled real-world environment supervised by authorities. The event will take place in Brussels on 22 April, 11:30-17:00.

Horizon Europe info day - WIDERA Work Programme 2023-2025

The Commission is organising an info day on the Widening participation and strengthening the European Research Area (WIDERA) Work Programme 2023-2025 under Horizon Europe. The event will take place online on 22 April from 9:30 CEST, aiming to inform interested applicants about new ERA call topics.

ERRIN Intro Coffee

The ERRIN Secretariat team is pleased to invite you to the ERRIN Intro Coffee, aiming to offer a brief, to-the-point introduction to ERRIN and its services, as well as facilitate networking between members. We especially encourage new network members and colleagues to take part, but all interested members are welcome. Join us in person at ERRIN on 19 April!

Bridging the Gap between the EU's 2040 Climate Goals and the Shortage of Skilled Labour – Towards Climate Neutral and Smart Cities

As the EU sets ambitious climate targets for 2040 and aims for climate neutrality by 2050, the demand for a skilled workforce in Europe becomes increasingly urgent. At this event, we will explore the solutions U!REKA and its partner network can offer to support the EU in achieving its climate objectives while addressing skills shortages across the Union. The event will take place at Helsinki's EU Office in Brussels, 14 April 18:00-20:00.

Big Science Business Forum

Insight into Europe's Premier Big Science Gathering. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with key figures shaping the event: Alessia Rosolen, Councillor for Research, University of the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, and Paolo Acunzo, Director of BSBF Trieste 2024. The event will take place on 11 April, 14:30-16:00

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

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.

Express your interest in the 3rd Interreg Europe call via the ERRIN Project Development Tool

Interreg Europe's 3rd call for proposals, launched on 20 March, supports interregional cooperation projects addressing common regional development challenges. Organisations can use the ERRIN Project Development tool to express interest and find partners. The call is open until 7 June 2024.

Horizon Europe strategic plan 2025-2027 is out

On 20 March, the Commission adopted the second Horizon Europe strategic plan. The plan sets out three key strategic orientations for the EU's research and innovation funding for the last three years of the programme (2025-2027). Find out what novelties the new strategic plan brings.

Coventry University Open for MSCA PF Fellows

Marie Skłodowska Curie (MSCA) European Postdoctoral Fellowships​ - If you are looking to grow in your research profile, keen to boost your career prospects and ready to be part of our thriving research environment, Coventry University invites you to get in touch about suitability for the following MSCA postdoctoral European fellowships at our Coventry campus.​

Marching towards FP10 – ERRIN activity update

As we enter March and approach the European R&I Days, several ERRIN activities planned for 2024 with a link to FP10 have already taken place, and more are on their way. Have a look at an update with the outcomes of our recent work on the next European Framework Programme for R&I, next steps and opportunities to get involved.

EU's Knowledge Ecosystems: A Regional Stakeholder Survey

The ERA FABRIC project, which aims to define the ERA Hubs concept across Europe, launched a survey for regional stakeholders to identify the most recurrent characteristics and parameters of excellence of European knowledge ecosystems. ERA Hubs concept remains of particular interest for ERRIN. The survey will be open until 10 March 2024.

Latest Updates

  • By Alis Socea

Botoșani County Council, Romania is seeking a project partner for the Citizens, Equality, Rights, and Values Programme (CERV) Town Twinning call.

Botoșani County Council, Romania is seeking a project partner for the Citizens, Equality, Rights, and Values Programme (CERV) Town Twinning call. The deadline for interest is 21 July.

  • By Helga Aunemo

Norwegian Research Centre (NORCE) looking for consortium: Horizon-CL-2024 - TRANSFORMATIONS-01-03: Minimize costs and maximise benefits of job creation and job destruction

Norwegian Research Centre (NORCE_ researchers Egil Kjerstad and Alice Milivinti are looking for a consortium for the call HORIZON-CL2-2024-TRANSFORMATIONS-01-03, with a planned opening date of 4 October 2023.

  • By Agnieszka Wieczorek Jetha

ERRIN Spring AGM 2023 – taking stock of the EU Missions

ERRIN’s Spring Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2023 took place on 22 June this year. As always, it brought together the large and dynamic community of member regions and cities. Following the format part with the update from the network, the main focus was the EU Missions, approached in two policy debates, on the support and implementation frameworks in Adaptation, Ocean and Waters and Soil Missions, and the governance innovation and the perspective on Cities and the Cancer Missions.

  • By Greater Copenhagen EU Office

Halsnæs Municipality (Denmark) looking for partners for an Erasmus+ small-scale partnership

Halsnæs Municipality in Denmark is looking for 1-2 partners (preferably municipalities/primary schools) for a small-scale partnership in Erasmus+ to support sustainable mobility by increasing primary school students’ use of bicycles and the quality of road safety classes.

  • By Astrid Hannes

SEFS WG: Call for a new leader

The Science and Education for Society Working Group (SEFS) is looking for a new co-leader to join Lärosäten Syd (Universities in South Sweden), Lombardy Region and Welsh Higher Education Brussels - Welsh Government in steering the WG activities and priorities. 

  • By Nathalie Alvarez

Project Manager – EUniWell Research and Innovation Strategic Framework

The University of Murcia is recruiting a Project manager for the EUniWell Research and Innovation Strategic Framework.The University of Murcia is a member of the EUniWell alliance that unites 11 universities and 60 associate partners drawn from 11 distinct regions of Europe in a cross-sectoral, interdisciplinary, knowledge-based perspective. In line with the European Research Area (ERA), the main objective will be to set the framework for developing a shared R&I strategy for EUniWell. Deadline 14 June.