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

Mendel Genetics Conference

This year is the bicentennial of the birth of the father of genetics, Gregor Johann Mendel. To pay tribute to this pre-eminent scientist of the 19th century, Mendel Genetics Conference will take place between 20–23 July, 2022, in Brno, the city where Mendel spent a substantial part of his life, and where he laid the foundations of genetics.

Czech Presidency Conference on Synergies in the Research and Innovation Funding in Europe

As one of the first events in its programme, the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU will organise a flagship conference "Synergies in the Research and Innovation Funding in Europe" on 7-8 July 2022 in Prague. The conference shall be held as a physical event, but following web streaming will be available. Pre-registration is obligatory.

ERRIN Spring Annual General Meeting 2022

ERRIN's Spring Annual General Meeting will be held this year on 23 June at 15:00-17:30 CEST followed by a networking cocktail from 18:00 CEST. In addition to discussing formal issues and offering an opportunity to network, the event will feature debates around the new European Innovation Agenda.

Cultural Heritage & Tourism: How the Erasmus+ programme contributes to the development of green and digital skills in tourism

The Cultural Heritage & Tourism WG leaders are pleased to invite you to an informal in-person meeting to discuss funding opportunities for green and digital skills in tourism within Erasmus+. The meeting will be followed by a networking coffee where members will have the opportunity to discuss their priorities and project ideas.

Hit or Miss: Fostering dynamic ecosystems

On 17 June 2022, the event "Hit or Miss: Fostering dynamic ecosystems" will take place in person in Brussels. The event will explore innovation ecosystems through the lens of vocational education providers and universities of applied sciences, with emphasis on the way that regional innovation strategies, national funding instruments and European policies interact.

'Solidarity with Ukraine' networking & fundraising event

The NCBR Office in Brussels | Business & Science Poland, PolSCA Office in Brussels and Polish Institute in Brussels are organising a networking & fundraising event 'Solidarity with Ukraine', which will be held on Tuesday, June 14th from 17:45-21:00 in the atrium of the NCBR | BSP Office in Brussels. Registration is possible by 10 June.

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

The European Heritage Hub project is looking for good practices

The European Heritage Hub is collecting good practices to share throughout Europe and beyond! Administrations of a city or region are asked to submit highlights of their work in heritage in the context of the ‘triple transformation ’ – green, digital and social – of our society. Ten practices will be selected for publication and promotion through the European Heritage Hub. Cities whose good practices are selected also get the opportunity to host a peer learning visit with a delegation of 20 participants funded by the project (3 peer learning visits will take place between Q2 2024 and Q1 2025).

Regional innovation highlighted in Council conclusions on R&I

On 8 December, the Council of the EU approved conclusions on strengthening the role and impact of research and innovation in policymaking – a priority file for the Spanish Presidency of the Council. A stronger role for local and regional innovation to strengthen competitive R&I is featured in the conclusions as one of the three mutually complementary dimensions.

ERRIN end of year reception - 2023 Highlights

On 7 December, ERRIN celebrated the network’s achievements in 2023. Following an engaging meeting with leaders of our 15 Working Groups, all ERRIN members were invited to a cocktail reception featuring a keynote from Markus Schulte, Head of Cabinet of Iliana Ivanova, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth. Check out ERRIN 2023 highlights in a 3-minute video.

Erasmus Small-scale partnership - "Young in tourism"

Nord- Gudbrandsdal vidaregåande skule, Norway, is searching for schools and training centres with apprenticeships for an Erasmus Small-scale partnership - "Young in tourism". The region has a large growth potential in green development, but faces some challenges with their demographic and access to qualified labour.

A look forward: Launching ERRIN reflections on regional dimension in R&I post-2027

Autumn 2023 marked the start of ERRIN’s targeted reflections on regional dimension in research and innovation in the new EU Multiannual Financial Framework post-2027, relating to the next EU Framework Programme for R&I (FP10) and future cohesion policy. We are offering a recap of our activities so far, first messages and planned next steps.

Management Board elections 2023 – results

Following the call for nominations for ERRIN Management Board held between 20 September and 5 October, we are happy to announce the nominated Management Board members. The five nominees will be approved as new Management Board members at the ERRIN Extraordinary General Meeting on 16 November.

Latest Updates

  • By Astrid Hannes

Harnessing Talent in Europe: a new boost for EU Regions

Ensuring that regions facing a talent development trap become more resilient and attractive is crucial in the EU's commitment to leaving nobody and no place behind. For that reason, the Commission launched a new ‘Talent Booster Mechanism', supporting EU regions affected by the accelerated decline of their working age population to train, retain and attract the people, the skills and the competences needed to address the impact of the demographic transition.

  • By Anna Solvang

Collaboration for targeted education and competence development for the green shift

The municipality of Alver in Norway is searching for a region or municipality that works with cooperation between schools, working life and administration to connect young people and education with what the local society demands, preferably aimed at the green transition.

  • By Ute De Meyer

Flemish education umbrella organisations looking for other regions to exchange views

Two Flemish education umbrella associations are looking for EU regions that would like to exchange views/practices on: teacher shortages, the use of microcredentials for adult education, job shadowing, etc. Is your region interested?

  • By Vendula Novackova

Implementation of the Regional Action Plan for the Development of Education

The Regional Office of the Hradec Kralove Region is searching for possible cooperation and partners/subjects in order to organise working visits in various regions – preferably Italy, Austria, Germany, the Netherlands or Sweden. The main goal is to visit selected (public) institutions (Dept. of Education etc.), school/s or other cooperating entities from the field of education and training and employers. As far as the topic is concerned, we are interested in the link between preschool - primary – secondary/higher - academic education and employment.

  • By Admin Admin

CHARTER call for good practices of policies and initiatives in pilot cases in cultural heritage education, training and occupation

The European Cultural Heritage Skills Alliance CHARTER is looking for good practices of policies and initiatives in pilot cases in Education & Training and Employment to fill gaps and improve: mobility, virtuous learning circles, career development, upskilling and reskilling, quality certifications standards, transformation to a circular economy, or policy and initiatives to tackle challenges of digital transformation and climate change in the sector of Cultural Heritage. The deadline for submission is 9 February 2023.

  • By Lucy Hammond

Digital Europe Advanced Digital Skills call for digital tech education funding- Deadline 24 January

Digital Europe programme's call on Advanced Digital Skills 'Specialised education programmes or modules in key capacity areas' is open until 24 January 2023. With a budget of €56m, HaDEA will be funding education programmes in digitaltech, jointly designed by universities, research centres & businesses.