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

Opening up Research and Innovation processes in EU Missions: Interactive Workshop

As part of the New European Bauhaus Festival, the REINFORCING project will be running a workshop on Open Responsible Research and Innovation. During this interactive and participatory workshop, participants will have a chance to discover practical examples of how public engagement and co-creation processes can be used in the context of EU missions and share the challenges faced in implementing these processes. Participants will also get to learn more about the grants available to run public engagement activities.

Territories in ACTION

Following the launch of the ACTIONbook in January 2024, the JRC and CoR are organising an event to present the publication alongside insights from several territories on their innovative place-based transformations. As the ACTIONbook builds on the experiences from the PRI Pilot Action, next steps linked to this initiative will also be shared.

Science for Policy Activities: Enabling Dialogues for Decision Making

This Science Europe event on 4 April will focus on its new Guidance on Science for Policy Activities, following on from their 2023 report Science Policy in Action: Insights for the Green and Digital Transition. The event is an opportunity to discuss the new guidance with a high-level panel of research organisation leaders directly engaged in science for policy activities in the context of geopolitical tension, ethical considerations, increasing digitalisation, and the emergence of Artificial Intelligence.

European Research and Innovation Days (R&I Days) 2024

The European Commission’s annual flagship research and innovation event will take place on 20 and 21 March 2024, both physically in Brussels and online. The R&I Days 2024 will give you the opportunity to debate how we can make Europe more sustainable and competitive and will celebrate the outcomes and achievements in research and innovation since the launch of the first R&I Framework Programme over 40 years ago.

The Role of Higher Education Institutions in Securing the EU’s Competitiveness and Resilience

The Finnish higher education institutions, together with Nordic partners, are hosting an event on The Role of Higher Education Institutions in Securing the EU’s Competitiveness and Resilience – Nordic Higher Education Institutions’ Perspectives for the 2024–2029 European Parliament and Commission. The event will take place on 19 March from 13:00- 20:00 in Brussels.

ERRIN R&I Days networking reception

On the occasion of the European R&I Week, we would like to warmly invite you to a networking reception on 19 March from 18:00-20:30 at the ERRIN premises in Brussels (Rue du Luxembourg 3). On the eve of the EU R&I Days 2024, ERRIN wishes to bring together local and regional R&I enthusiasts from our community across Europe to meet up and discuss the way forward with the EU R&I policy and funding.  

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

European Heritage Hub announces grants to 14 heritage projects in EU neighbouring countries and calls for increased funding

The European Heritage Hub, a pilot project co-funded by the EU connecting heritage stakeholders across Europe, has selected 14 heritage projects across 11 EU neighbouring countries for its Small Grants Scheme (see annexe for the complete list of projects). Around 250,000 EUR has been allocated to the selected initiatives led by civil society organisations, distributed among small, medium, and large-scale grants. The Scheme is run by Europa Nostra, the Project Leader of the European Heritage Hub, in consultation with other members of the Hub consortium, and is co-funded by ALIPH Foundation.

ERRIN two-pager for European decision-makers

ERRIN is pleased to share a two-pager for the incoming European decision-makers, aiming to present the network and our value to the new MEPs, raising a voice for the importance of place-based R&I in the changing landscape. We encourage all ERRIN members to share the document with their MEPs to introduce ERRIN and the value of place-based R&I.

Over 70 ERRIN member regions announced as Regional Innovation Valleys

On 19 June, the Commission announced the 151 regions identified as Regional Innovation Valleys following the call for EoI and calls for proposals in 2023. 75 successful regions come from ERRIN members. RIVs will aim to strengthen the regional innovation ecosystems, bridge the innovation gap and improve Europe's overall innovation performance. New calls for proposals under Horizon Europe are expected in 2025.

How is cultural heritage integrated into regional development? CHARTER Alliance publishes new report on six regional case studies conducted by ERRIN

CHARTER, the European Cultural Heritage Skills Alliance funded by Erasmus+, has released a new report showcasing findings and conclusions from six regional case studies conducted by ERRIN members in the Basque Country (Spain), Sibiu (Romania), Bremen (Germany), Alentejo (Portugal), Tuscany (Italy), and Västra Götaland (Sweden) in 2021-2023. The report synthesises how skills for cultural heritage are integrated into regional development policies and strategies, examining sector-integrated dynamics within these regional ecosystems. The report provides recommendations for developing long-term…

Call for Applications for IN SITU Summer School

Applications are now open to join IN SITU Summer School, “Place-based creative solutions for cultivating caring and sustainable communities" (20-24 September 2024), and the IN SITU Conference "Horizons of Sustainability: The power of creative innovation for transformation of rural and non-urban futures" (25-27 September 2024), both held in the beautiful island of Zlarin, Croatia.

ERRIN two-page input on FP10 for the attention of the Expert Group

As the work towards the next EU Framework Programme for R&I (FP10) continues, ERRIN is pleased to share its two-page input for the attention of the Expert Group on the interim evaluation of Horizon Europe. The document is a concise compilation of the reflections on FP10 done at ERRIN so far, highlighting topics of key importance. Work on a series of broader input papers is underway.

Latest Updates

  • By Joakim P. Berg

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.

  • By Ewa Chomicz

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.

  • By Ewa Chomicz

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.

  • By Francesca Pozzebon

Science Meets Regions Training course on working with evidence for policymakers

As part of the Science Meet Regions Initiative, the JRC has been developing a "Work with Evidence" training course on evidence-informed policymaking, designed to improve policymakers' competencies by zooming in on specific policy fields relevant to local and regional authorities. After three pilot runs, the JRC will be delivering the final material in an online format.

  • By Ingvild Jacobsen

The Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences is searching for partners for Horizon call: Past, present and future of democracies

The Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences is searching for partners for Horizon call: HORIZON-CL2-2024-DEMOCRACY-01-04, The interrelation between social, cultural and political identities, as well as the sense of belonging, and democracies. 

  • By Francesca Pozzebon

The European Commission launches the ‘ImagineEU’ competition for secondary schools

Secondary school students from across the EU are invited to enter the ImagineEU competition by creating and sharing a short video about an innovative idea that would improve their communities and that could be the object of an EU law.