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

Retaining talents and skills for regional growth. What is the role of civil society partners?

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is organising a workshop on "Retaining talents and skills for regional growth. What is the role of civil society partners?". The event will take place in person in Brussels on 11 November, as part of the European Week of Regions and Cities 2023. Astrid Hannes, ERRIN's Project and Policy Manager, will take part in the workshop as a speaker.

EU Regions Week: The future of transport workforce - retaining talent and developing skills for regional development

European Week of Regions and Cities explores the future of transport workforce: retaining talent and developing skills for regional development.

SynEnergy: Regions enabling the European Green Industrial Transformation

As part of the European Week of Regions and Cities, the event 'SynEnergy: Regions enabling the European Green Industrial Transformation' will be held on 11 October from 11:30 to 12:30. The workshop highlights the role of Regions in deploying hydrogen and solar projects and initiatives. Industrial conversion is a crucial driver for sustainable growth to more competitive and resource-efficient energy ecosystems for local industries facing transformational change.

EWRC 2023 - Workshop 'Providing the right skills for a water smart society'

#EURegionsWeek 2023 - Workshop "Providing the right skills for a water smart society"

EWRC: Securing the inclusive skills of tomorrow

As part of EWRC, three local projects from Oslo, Gothenburg and Madrid on the importance of approaching the green transition through inclusive skills development will be presented. The three projects focus on socially inclusive development of skills from different angles. This session will take place on 11 October from 09:30-10:30.

EWRC Workshop “Thriving regions through science: how innovative research centres can retain talent and drive growth”

In this workshop, organised by the ERC as part of the European Week of Regions and Cities, politicians, scientists, and experts will discuss how research can contribute to regional growth and social cohesion. The workshop will take place on 10 October from 16:30-18:30.

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

Call to join the European Union campaign to boost knowledge valorisation

The European Commission’s Directorate for Research & Innovation is organising an awareness raising campaign on knowledge valorisation, with the aim to introduce this policy and demonstrate how to better translate research and innovation results into benefits for the economy and society. The awareness raising campaign is envisaged for a period of 18 months, starting in spring 2023.

Management Board elections 2022 – results

Between 3 and 17 October, ERRIN members could put forward their candidatures for this year’s ERRIN Management Board elections. Five new Management Board members were selected and approved at the Autumn Annual General Meeting on 8 December.

Horizon Europe work programme 2023-24 adopted

The Horizon Europe work programme 2023-24 has been adopted by the European Commission.

New European Innovation Agenda: Council conclusions adopted

On 2 December, the Council adopted the conclusions on the New European Innovation Agenda. We have collected some key points highlighted by the Council and ERRIN remarks on the document. The CoR opinion on the same topic, to which ERRIN provided comments, was also adopted on 1 December.

T'Cap association is looking for partners for two Erasmus+ adult education cooperation projects

The association "Collectif T’Cap", along with local partners (ADAPEI Loire-Atlantique, Cercle Karré and Pickup Production) are looking for partners to participate in two Erasmus+ cooperation projects in the field of adult education. The first one aims at developing a network of hybrid places mixing cultural and economic activities for less engaged audiences, while the second one targets autonomous housing for people with disabilities.

Largest public consultation on Horizon programmes 2014-2027 now open

The Commission has launched the largest public consultation ever held on the past, present and future of the European Research & Innovation Framework Programmes 2014-2027. Stakeholders are invited to share their views on the performance of Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe, as well as shaping the strategic orientations for the Horizon Europe Strategic Plan 2025-2027. The consultation will stay open for 12 weeks, closing in February 2023.

Latest Updates

  • 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 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.

  • By Maria Sofie Juhl

Mobility for everyone – Erasmus+ Accreditation Student Exchange

Vittrup Fri Fagskole is a boarding school with a focus on pre-vocational training, where the prioritisation of general education, community, and new tools for mastering your own life gives energy and motivation to continue onto a vocational education and take responsibility for your own life in general. Vittrup Fri Fagskole is looking for a similar partner school for a student and/or staff exchange within the framework of the Erasmus+ Accreditation.

  • By Karim Hassan Hosny

Catalan cluster for the children and family market is looking for project partners

Catalan cluster for the children and family market, representing more than 80 companies is looking to join a consortium or find partners to participate in EU projects.

  • By Ewa Chomicz

Regional Innovation Valleys calls for proposals launched!

The first Regional Innovation Valleys calls for proposals under the European Innovation Ecosystems (EIE) part of Horizon Europe and under the Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument of the ERDF were launched by the European Commission on 17 May with an overall budget of EUR 122 million. The closing date for applying is 17 October 2023.