Smart Specialisation

The Smart Specialisation Working Group aims to monitor and contribute to key policy developments related to S3 by enhancing dialogue with relevant EU institutions and stakeholders. The goal is to strengthen the regional perspective in the wider smart specialisation agenda and facilitate the interregional cooperation. The WG actively engages in the debate around shaping the cohesion policy post-2027 and the future of S3. It also follows different interregional collaboration instruments for innovation, their state of play and upcoming opportunities.

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Last Working Group Meetings

Previous Related ERRIN Working Group Meetings

European University Alliances and their commitment to support the connection  of regional innovation ecosystems

European University Alliances and their commitment to support the connection of regional innovation ecosystems

Astrid Hannes

In September 2022 the SEFS Working Group discussed with the European Commission and regional examples the relationship between the then 44 European Universities and the S3-strategies of the regions

Smart Specialisation WG meeting: Future of cohesion policy in support to R&I

Smart Specialisation WG meeting: Future of cohesion policy in support to R&I

Ewa Chomicz

With discussions around the new cohesion policy framework post-2027 in full swing, this ERRIN Smart Specialisation WG meeting will focus on how cohesion policy can support R&I. The event will

Unlocking potential, regional perspectives on knowledge valorisation 

SEFS Working Group meeting: Unlocking potential, regional perspectives on knowledge valorisation 

Astrid Hannes

In the 2022 Council Recommendation, knowledge valorisation is referred to as the process of creating social and economic value from knowledge by linking different areas and sectors and by

WG Related Events

WG Related Events

S3 Conference 2024

The Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3) Conference 2024 will take place this year on 11-12 December in Rimini, Italy. The flagship event for S3 stakeholders from across regions in EU Member States is organised by DG REGIO and S3 CoP Secretariat, in partnership with Emilia-Romagna Region and with the support of the Municipality of Rimini and Palacongressi di Rimini. Livestreaming of plenary discussions will be available.

Opening up R&I Processes: Who to Engage, and How?

REINFORCING project is organising the workshop 'Opening up R&I Processes: Who to Engage, and How?". This crash course will explore strategies for aligning research and innovation (R&I) with societal needs through meaningful stakeholder engagement. This workshop provides practical tools and actionable insights to help researchers, innovators or professionals working in R&I to identify and collaborate with the right audiences, ensuring more inclusive and impactful outcomes.

PIONEER Alliance: Iuav and New Research Perspectives for European Cities

The Università Iuav di Venezia, in collaboration with the Veneto Region, is organising an event called 'PIONEER Alliance: New Perspectives for European Cities' which will take place in Brussels on December 10.

Autumn General Meeting 2024

ERRIN’s 2024 Autumn General Meeting will take place on 5 December from 16:30 at the ERRIN premises in Brussels. The meeting will be followed by a networking reception with keynote speeches from a representative of the Cabinet of Ekaterina Zaharieva, the new Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, as well as from Magdalena Kula, Research Attaché at the Polish Permanent Representation in view of the upcoming Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU.

European Partnership Stakeholder Forum 2024: 20 years of European Partnerships: Reflecting on the past – Shaping the Future

ERA-LEARN and the European Commission will co-organise the third European Partnership Stakeholder Forum on 4-5 December 2024 in Brussels. The Forum is expected to gather over 250 participants from European Partnerships, addressing achievements, challenges and the way forward for the initiative. Registration for physical or virtual attendance is possible until 15 November.

European University Alliances and their commitment to support the connection of regional innovation ecosystems

This meeting of the Science and Education for Society (SEFS) Working Group, taking place on 2 December from 14:00-16:00, aims to foster a mutual learning exchange between European University Alliances and their regions. Attendees will learn about how alliances are committed to support the connections between regional innovation ecosystems. This includes how alliances contribute to the S3 strategies of their regions, alliances seeking synergies with local authorities in the context of the EU Cities Mission and alliances that are connecting with Regional Innovation Valleys. Attendees will also…

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

ERRIN's Autumn General Meeting 2024

On 5 December, ERRIN hosted its Autumn General Meeting, where members reflected on 2024’s accomplishments, endorsed the 2025 budget and welcomed four new Management Board members. The meeting provided a platform to celebrate achievements, discuss priorities for the year ahead, and prepare for a new EU political cycle.

Consortium is looking for partners in a project related to co-design and urban management of green modular structure under Horizon Europe programme

The consortium is looking for a project partner to cooperate with a project related to digital solutions to foster participative design, planning and management of buildings, neighbourhoods and urban districts under the Horizon Europe programme.

Management Board elections 2024 – results

Following the call for nominations for ERRIN Management Board held between 3 and 17 October, we are happy to announce the nominated Management Board members. The four nominees will be approved as new Management Board members at the ERRIN Autumn General Meeting on 5 December.

Call for expression of interest: Clusters Meet Regions

The European Cluster Collaboration Platform, on behalf of the European Commission, invites national and regional authorities, cluster organisations, and economic development agencies to apply to host one of the 10 ‘Clusters Meet Regions’ workshops planned for 2025. The next deadline for making your application is 20 December 2024.

A look back at the Week of Innovative Regions in Europe 2024

The XIII edition of the Week of Innovative Regions in Europe (WIRE) conference took place on 13-14 November 2024 in Budapest. The event focused on regions as catalysts of European RDI competitiveness and brought together over a hundred regional stakeholders from across Europe, including ERRIN, for two days of intense discussions and networking. Find out our key takeaways from the multiple topics covered.

Have Your Say on the Future of Regional Innovation Valleys

The European Commission invites all regions – whether selected as RIVs or not – to share feedback on the RIV initiative to help shape future calls and align them with regional needs. Deadline to answer the questionnaire is 15 November.

Latest Updates

  • By Maria Bostrom

ERRIN's Autumn General Meeting 2024

On 5 December, ERRIN hosted its Autumn General Meeting, where members reflected on 2024’s accomplishments, endorsed the 2025 budget and welcomed four new Management Board members. The meeting provided a platform to celebrate achievements, discuss priorities for the year ahead, and prepare for a new EU political cycle.

  • By Adrianna Frankowska

Consortium is looking for partners in a project related to co-design and urban management of green modular structure under Horizon Europe programme

The consortium is looking for a project partner to cooperate with a project related to digital solutions to foster participative design, planning and management of buildings, neighbourhoods and urban districts under the Horizon Europe programme.

  • By Ewa Chomicz

Management Board elections 2024 – results

Following the call for nominations for ERRIN Management Board held between 3 and 17 October, we are happy to announce the nominated Management Board members. The four nominees will be approved as new Management Board members at the ERRIN Autumn General Meeting on 5 December.

  • By Maria Bostrom

Call for expression of interest: Clusters Meet Regions

The European Cluster Collaboration Platform, on behalf of the European Commission, invites national and regional authorities, cluster organisations, and economic development agencies to apply to host one of the 10 ‘Clusters Meet Regions’ workshops planned for 2025. The next deadline for making your application is 20 December 2024.

  • By Ewa Chomicz

A look back at the Week of Innovative Regions in Europe 2024

The XIII edition of the Week of Innovative Regions in Europe (WIRE) conference took place on 13-14 November 2024 in Budapest. The event focused on regions as catalysts of European RDI competitiveness and brought together over a hundred regional stakeholders from across Europe, including ERRIN, for two days of intense discussions and networking. Find out our key takeaways from the multiple topics covered.

  • By Maria Bostrom

Have Your Say on the Future of Regional Innovation Valleys

The European Commission invites all regions – whether selected as RIVs or not – to share feedback on the RIV initiative to help shape future calls and align them with regional needs. Deadline to answer the questionnaire is 15 November.