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

Youth at risk – How to prevent criminal engagement and promote youth empowerment through the European Social Fund (ESF)?

Gothenburg European Office invites you to the workshop “Youth at risk – How to prevent criminal engagement and promote youth empowerment through the European Social Fund (ESF)?” (Code: 12WS22235), an official partner event of the 20th European Week of Regions and Cities to be held online on the 12 October 16:30-18:00 using Zoom.

How can we strengthen collaboration between regions and RTOs to further support a sustainable transition?

As part of the upcoming European Week of Regions and Cities, ERRIN in cooperation with EARTO is organising a joint online workshop on how to strengthen collaboration between regions and research and technology organisations (RTOs) to support a sustainable transition. The event will take place on 12 October from 16:30-18:00 CEST.

Youth empowerment and civic engagement, lessons from European LRAs

The high-level workshop "Youth empowerment and civic engagement, lessons from European LRAs" will be organised as part of the XX edition of the European Week of Regions and Cities, on 12 October 2022 from 11:30-13:00 CEST. Participation is possible online or onsite in Brussels.

Addressing the European digital skills gap of Regions and Cities on AI and Big Data, now for real

ERRIN's DT4REGIONS project together with the Living-in.EU initiative under the lead of ENoLL, with the support of the Computer Vision Center, are organising a joint international online workshop on 12 October 2022 from 9:30 to 11:00 CEST. The event will take place in the frame of this year's European Week of Regions and Cities.

EIT Summit

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) is organising the EIT Summit 2022 on 11 October in Brussels. As the culminating event of the INNOVEIT Weeks event series, the EIT Summit aims to bring together the entire EIT ecosystem - policymakers, leading innovators, entrepreneurs and the EIT Innovation Communities.

Youth involvement in European R&I policies, and the role of regions and cities

Local and regional authorities have a key role in mobilising young people to become involved in shaping the future of R&I. Organised in the frame of the European Week of Regions and Cities 2022, this session will showcase relevant projects and present the experiences of young innovators and entrepreneurs. 

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

Science meets regions - calls for expression of interest

As part of the Science meets Regions project, the Joint Research Centre has launched a call for expression of interest for the establishment of local and regional pairing schemes bringing together scientists and policymakers. Applications are possible before 23 September 2022.

ERRIN is looking for a Communications Assistant (traineeship)

ERRIN is looking for a new trainee! The Communications Assistant will have the opportunity to participate in the daily work of the organisation by carrying out communications and member related tasks, as well as supporting daily office activities. The deadline to apply is 10 August.

Guidance on synergies between Horizon Europe and ERDF is out

The guidance on new opportunities to maximise the synergies between Horizon Europe and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) programmes was published by the European Commission on 5 July 2022. The document intends to provide a practical and user-friendly approach.

The new European Innovation Agenda unveiled

On 5 July, the European Commission adopted the new European Innovation Agenda with the aim of positioning Europe at the forefront of the new wave of deep tech innovation and start-ups. The document, to which ERRIN submitted input in May this year, sets out 25 dedicated actions under five flagships, including on European Innovation Ecosystems.

ERRIN is looking for a Climate Neutral Cities Advisor (deadline: 29 July)

ERRIN is looking for a Climate Neutral Cities Advisor to join its Secretariat! The successful candidate will work to ensure the delivery of the Horizon Europe Mission on Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by taking part in the activities of the NetZeroCities project. The deadline to apply is 29 July.

Marine litter and pollution – Smart and low environmental impact fishing gears

This project addresses the challenges occurring from marine pollution caused by waste from fishing activities, in line with among others the Single Use Plastic Directive and the Port Reception Facilities Directive. The reduction of the marine pollution and preservation of marine fauna have high attention from the Commission where marine habitats, including seabed suffer negative effects e.g. from lost or otherwise discarded fishing gears.

Latest Updates

  • By Ewa Chomicz

ERRIN event: Organising a regional innovation ecosystem

This in-person ERRIN event on 4 October, organised in line with the Management Board priority on widening and deepening engagement in R&I, invites all ERRIN members to share and explore the ways to develop their regional innovation ecosystems going beyond any specific initiatives or funding opportunities. The event will enable informal mutual learning and exchanges of practices between network colleagues from across Europe in an interactive way.

  • By Ewa Chomicz

CoR stakeholder consultation "Towards an integrated EU policy approach to support place-based innovation for the green and digital transition"

​​​The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) is drafting an opinion "Towards an integrated EU policy approach to support place-based innovation for the green and digital transition". Interested stakeholders are invited for a thematic consultation and exchange of views on 3 October 2023 from 10:00-12:00 at the CoR premises. Registration is possible by 29 September.

  • By Ewa Chomicz

KEP 2.0 seminar: Implementation of the New European Innovation Agenda – What is in it for regions and cities?

​​​The European Committee of the Regions and the European Commission are organising a seminar on "Implementation of the New European Innovation Agenda – What is in it for regions and cities?" in the framework of their Knowledge Exchange Platform (KEP 2.0). The event will take place on 28 September from 14:30-18:00 in-person in Brussels, with ERRIN Director Pirita Lindholm as one of the speakers.

  • By Anonymous

Knocking on the Door of Higher Education Institutions: The AU-EU Innovation Agenda and the Involvement of Nordic Actors

Knocking on the Door of Higher Education Institutions: The AU-EU innovation Agenda and the involvement of Nordic actors the event organised by the Brussels Offices of Nordic Universities on the 27th of September.

  • By Agnieszka Wieczorek Jetha

Science meets Regions final event

Science meets Regions aims to boost evidence for policy at local and regional level through various mechanisms: participatory events and innovation camps on specific policy issues, pairing schemes between researchers and policymakers at local level, as well as skills training on working with evidence for policymakers. The closing event on 27-28 September will bring together current and former participants in the project, taking stock of the results but also reflecting on the future of the project.

  • By Francesca Pozzebon

ERRIN Culture & Creativity Cluster Project Development Session

The Cultural Heritage & Tourism Working Group is hosting a project development session in collaboration with the Design & Creativity Working Group and the NEB task force, following call for all members and their regional ecosystems to express their interest in the HORIZON Europe calls focusing on culture, creativity and cross-cutting areas such as tourism, circular economy and design.