Smart Specialisation Working Group
Representatives of Brussels-based offices leading the work of the Smart Specialisation Working Group.
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.
ERRIN Contact
Previous Related ERRIN Working Group Meetings
Smart Specialisation WG meeting: S3 and PRI – the way ahead
The year 2024 marks the opening of a new chapter for the Partnerships for Regional Innovation (PRI) as a JRC-CoR initiative building on S3 to support innovation for place-based transformations. In
Strengthening skills governance in regional innovation ecosystems: lessons learnt and remaining challenges
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
Policy & Smart Specialisation WGs meeting: Widening in FP10 and impact on cohesion policy post-2027
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
S3 Conference: Launch of the S3 Community of Practice
The S3 Conference 2023 is the first in a series of events that DG REGIO is organising for S3 stakeholders from across regions in EU Member States. It is also the launch event for the new S3 Community of Practice, whose Secretariat is joined by ERRIN. The conference will take place online on 30 March and will be opened by Commissioner Elisa Ferreira.
PRI High-Level Event: “From Playbook to implementation”
The European Commission and the CoR are organising a High-Level Event of the Partnerships for Regional Innovation (PRI) “From Playbook to implementation” as a bridge between smart specialisation and other EU policies to promote innovation-driven territorial transformation. The event will take place on 28 March 2023 in Brussels. Participation is possible in person and online.
Upscaling and Upskilling! Breaking down the barriers for a green transition
The County Mayor of Vestland and Governing Mayor of Bergen City Council extend their invitation to the event “Upscaling and Upskilling! Breaking Down the Barriers to a Green Transition”, followed by a networking reception on 20 March at Norway House in Brussels.
ERRIN Intro Coffee
The ERRIN Secretariat is pleased to invite you to the upcoming ERRIN Intro Coffee, aiming to offer a concise introduction to ERRIN and its services, as well as encourage networking between members. The meeting is directed mainly towards new network members and colleagues, but all interested members are welcome to participate. Join us in person at ERRIN on 15 March!
Smart Specialisation WG meeting: Steering PRI – expectations and future directions
The Partnerships for Regional Innovation (PRI) Pilot Action was launched by the JRC and CoR in May 2022 as an initiative building on the smart specialisation strategies. As we approach a key moment for defining PRI's future, this S3 WG meeting will allow all ERRIN members who are involved in or interested in the Pilot to hear from and engage in discussion on the future of the initiative with European institutions, as well as involved ERRIN regions.
Register to Be.CULTOUR 1st Webinar on Circular cultural tourism: the role of Heritage Innovation Networks for co-creation and communities’ empowerment
This Be.Cultour webinar will address methodologies and tools for stakeholders’ engagement, serious gaming and co-creation, explaining how to bring together expert and local knowledge to let “hidden” cultural resources emerge and be recognised and fully exploited as a driver of local development, communities’ empowerment and innovative entrepreneurship through circular cultural tourism.
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
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…
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.
Extended deadline: Call for Circular Economy Experts providing personalised support for cities and regions
To better support the implementation of circular systemic solutions at the local and regional levels, the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative just launched a call for external experts who can offer personalised support to cities and regions. Experts should have at least five years of experience in the fields of stakeholder and citizen engagement, innovation and technology, business models and financial support, public procurement, or impact evaluation and can express their interest until 14 June 2024.
ERRIN is looking for a Head of projects - Extended Deadline
In view of the upcoming departure of ERRIN's current Director of projects, Ryan Titley, ERRIN is looking for a replacement to start in September 2024. The new colleague will work closely with the ERRIN Director on strategic planning, and lead the implementation and development of ERRIN's current and future project portfolio. Extended deadline: Applications are open until 26 May at 17.00 CEST.
Empowering Innovation: Overview of Public Engagement in Research & Innovation
DG RTD has recently released a thematic report titled "Overview of Public Engagement in Research & Innovation", which provides an introductory overview of Public Engagement in Research and Innovation in Europe. The document aims to inspire and help public actors and policymakers to promote and support public engagement.
Express your interest in the EU Missions and New European Bauhaus Calls 2024
The European Commission has launched new calls for proposals to support research and innovation for its five EU Missions and the New European Bauhaus (NEB). ERRIN encourages all members and their stakeholders to express interest in the EU Missions and NEB calls through the ERRIN Project Development Tool (PDT).
Latest Updates
- By Ewa Chomicz
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.
- By Ewa Chomicz
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.
- By Lucy Hammond
Draft Horizon Europe 2023-24 work programmes published
The European Commission has published the draft 2023-2024 Horizon Europe work programmes. The drafts have not yet been adopted or endorsed by the European Commission, but have been made available to provide potential participants with the currently expected overview of this work programme.
- By Ewa Chomicz
ERRIN Autumn AGM 2022 – Towards the Year of Skills
ERRIN’s 2022 Autumn Annual General Meeting (AGM) will take place on 8 December 14:30-18:15 CET, followed by networking drinks from 18:15 CET. We cordially invite all the network members to join us – registration is now open!
- By Gianpiero Petruzziello
ERRIN annual member survey: Shape ERRIN's agenda for 2023!
All members are invited to provide input on our priorities, topics, and activities that should be addressed in 2023. Your inputs are essential as they will provide a basis for the discussions during the workshops, and for the overall planning process for 2023, which will define ERRIN’s work next year.
- By Ewa Chomicz
Call for Expression of Interest - 'Clusters meet Regions' workshops
The European Cluster Collaboration Platform launched a Call of Expression of Interest to select the national/regional authorities and clusters organisations to run 13 European ‘Clusters meet Regions’ workshops in the second half of 2022 and throughout 2023. The new deadline for making an application is 2 December 2022, at 18:00 CEST.