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
SEFS & S3 WGs: Why are S3 strategies relevant for the European Universities initiative?
This joint Science and Education for Society and S3 Working Groups meeting will ask why S3 is relevant for European Universities, and vice versa, and how European universities alliances can create a leverage effect beyond the university boundaries and the bilateral cooperation already in place - based on the S3 - in the region?
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.
I3 Instrument online infoday
The European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) organises an online information day on 23 June about the new Interregional Innovation Investment (I3) Instrument calls.
KEP 2.0 workshop - Building Synergies for Successful Green and Digital Transitions – The Way Ahead
The European Committee of the Regions and the European Commission are organising the first Knowledge Exchange Platform (KEP) event of the year. The workshop will take place on 22 June 2022, in person in Brussels. ERRIN Director Pirita Lindholm will moderate one of the two discussion sessions on "Ongoing or future strategies and initiatives".
Smart Specialisation WG: I3 Project Development Session
The ERRIN Smart Specialisation Working Group is organising an I3 Project Development Session for the network’s members to gain official and practical insights from the first Interregional Innovation Investment (I3) Instrument calls’ cut-offs as well as exchange interest and pitches to build project consortiums for the next cut-off on 18 October 2022.
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
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.
Release of LORDIMAS, a digital maturity assessment tool for Regions and Cities
During the European Week of Regions and Cities 2023, a dedicated session was organised to launch LORDIMAS, a digital maturity assessment helping local and regional governments to understand where they are in their digital transformation journey. The tool is now accessible online.
ERRIN members showcase good practices at ICLEI B@S event on circular cultural tourism
The last edition of ICLEI’s flagship Breakfast at Sustainability’s series took place on 5 October 2023 from 10:00-12:00 CEST , in collaboration with ERRIN and as part of the Be.CULTOUR project. On this occasion, ERRIN members had the opportunity to take the stand and showcase inspiring examples of good practices demonstrating how circular approaches to tourism, human-centred destinations, and heritage-led transformations can contribute to building a sustainable future for all.
Shape ERRIN's agenda 2024 - Annual Member Survey
In view of the annual strategy workshops that we will organise with all the Working Group (WG) and Task Force (TF) leaders in the second half of November, all members are invited to provide input on priorities, topics, and activities that should be addressed in 2024. The input can be provided by 31 October 2023.
169 country actions in support of the New European Innovation Agenda
On 19 September 2023, the European Commission published the list of actions that Member States and Associated Countries to Horizon Europe are so far undertaking or planning to undertake in support of one or more of the five flagships of the New European Innovation Agenda, including Flagship 3 closely followed by ERRIN. 20 countries have so far reported 169 actions in total, with their scope ranging from regional, through national to European.
Latest Updates
- By Magdalena Ujejska
Małopolska Region's search for partners - Adapting cities and regions to climate change
Małopolska Region looking for partners for a project within LIFE Subprogramme Climate Action (Adapting cities and regions to climate change).
- By Ewa Chomicz
Management Board elections 2022 – call for nominations launched!
Every year ERRIN holds elections for the Management Board. You can put forward your candidature for this year’s elections until 17 October.
- By Ewa Chomicz
REGIONS2030: Call for expression of interest - deadline extended
The European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) is inviting European regions to express their interest to contribute to the Pilot Project "REGIONS2030: Monitoring the SDGs in the EU regions - Filling the data gaps", supported by the European Parliament. The deadline for submitting an expression of interest is now extended until 10 October 2022.
- By Rodolphe Doité
DT4REGIONS Ideathon: AI potential in Preventive Health Care
In October 2022, ERRIN's DT4REGIONS project in cooperation with the Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council will organise four ideathon workshops for Artificial Intelligence Potential in Preventive Healthcare. We are looking for new ideas how to use AI for preventive healthcare – awards are waiting for the best ones!
- By Eva Damm
Research in Saxony - Regional foresight and innovation ecosystems
The Free State of Saxony is interested in contact with other European regional authorities with experiences in regional foresight/ strategy processes and regional innovation ecosystems in the fields of AI, Quantum Technologies and Personalised Medicine/ Life Sciences.
- By Francesca Pozzebon
Energy & Climate Change WG meeting on Sustainable Buildings - call for presentations
On Friday 30 September from 10:30-12:00, the Energy and Climate Change Working Group will host a hybrid event on the topic of Sustainable Buildings. A call for presentations to be presented during the meeting is now open until 25 September.