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
Smart Specialisation WG meeting: STEP - regional perspective
The Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) is a new common European action to support EU industry and boost investments in critical technologies in Europe. The upcoming S3 WG meeting will offer a chance to gain an understanding of STEP from a general and regional perspective. It will also facilitate mutual learning with regard to integrating STEP into national and regional cohesion policy programmes such as ERDF or ESF+. The event will be held online on 10 April from 10:00-11:30 CEST.
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.
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.
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.
10th European Summit of Regions and Cities - Mons 2024
For its 10th edition, which coincides with the 30th anniversary of the European Committee of the Regions, the Summit will tackle topics at the heart of regions and cities' concerns, such as democracy, sustainable development, the future of the European Union and its enlargement, the need to ensure social, economic and territorial cohesion, as well as dealing with the consequences of the war against Ukraine. Global challenges will be addressed by bringing together different perspectives from across the world.
'Together for EU Tourism' (T4T) stakeholder event and anniversary
In 2024, DG GROW will be celebrating the second anniversary of the Transition Pathway for Tourism. To mark this milestone, the Commission is organising a dedicated stakeholder event on 15 March 2024 (9:30-15:30 CET), reflecting on past achievements and future developments of the tourism ecosystem and showcasing inspiring pledges submitted by stakeholders.
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
New ERA Forum sub-group on ‘Access to excellence’ and funding synergies kicked off
On 7 June 2023, the first meeting of the ERA Forum sub-group ‘Access to excellence’ – ‘R&I and Cohesion Managing Authorities’ Network (RIMA) was held. The discussion focused on operationalising funding synergies, a topic covered also in the DUT & ERRIN Policy Working Group workshop on 8 June.
Partner search for Interreg Europe call on legal instruments for S3 and improving cooperation
Madrid and Northern Transylvania region (through ADR Nord-vest) are searching for partners for an Interreg Europe call. The project aims to contribute to solving some of the obstacles of R+D+i in the European Union by transforming research results into profitable innovations that generate new economies, wealth and jobs.
Two new calls for expressions of interest to boost smart specialisation strategies
The European Commission through the S3 Community of Practice (S3 CoP) has launched two new calls for expressions of interest for regions for the creation of new Thematic Smart Specialisation Partnerships (TSSPs) and for receiving targeted support assignments.
Regional Innovation Valleys calls for proposals launched!
The first Regional Innovation Valleys calls for proposals under the European Innovation Ecosystems (EIE) part of Horizon Europe and under the Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument of the ERDF were launched by the European Commission on 17 May with an overall budget of EUR 122 million. The closing date for applying is 17 October 2023.
Call to join the Commission Expert Group on the Interim Evaluation of Horizon Europe
On 15 May, the European Commission's DG RTD launched a call for applications for the Commission Expert Group on the Interim Evaluation of Horizon Europe. The group shall gather 15 highly experienced members with the aim to provide the Commission with strategic recommendations to feed into the design of the next Framework Programme 2028-2034.
The Intelligent Cities Challenge: Deadline extended until 31 May
The Intelligent Cities Challenge (ICC) is one of the European Commission's largest city support initiatives supporting European cities in their green and digital transitions. ICC delivers cutting-edge knowledge and support services to cities and their local economies to address two major challenges: making the transition to a net-zero economic model while enabling social inclusion and sustainable development for every EU citizen. The application deadline for cities has been extended to 31 May 2023.
Latest Updates
- By Lucy Hammond
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 Lucy Hammond
Second set of calls for proposals under CEF Digital programme launched
The European Commission has launched the second set of calls for proposals under the Connecting Europe Facility Digital programme, with a budget of €277 million. The deadline to apply is 23 February 2023. One of the calls that could be of particular interest to ERRIN members is the '5G for Smart Communities'.
- By Lucy Hammond
Lubelskie region is looking for cooperation in the area of bioactive substances of natural origin
Lubelskie Voivodeship, continuing its work on regional ecosystem of life science as a part of the ELISE Interreg Europe project, is looking for partner regions to jointly apply to the Interreg Europe programme, the call for which will run from 15 March until 9 June 2023.
- 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.