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
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.
2nd European Mission Forum
The second edition of the European Mission Forum, taking place on 7 March in Brussels and co-organised by the TRAMI project under the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU, will showcase EU Mission-related achievements and present outcomes of nearly 2 years of TRAMI project activities. ERRIN's director, Pirita Lindholm, will speak at the session on national, regional and European Mission Governance.
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
The Forward-Looking Survey - European Urban Initiative
The European Urban Initiative (EUI) has launched a forward-looking survey to gather vital insights from urban practitioners and policymakers across Europe. This survey, hosted on Portico, aims to identify key trends, challenges, knowledge gaps and support needs in European sustainable urban development. The survey will be open from 6 June until 12 July.
Third Call for Proposals EUI - Innovative Actions
The third EUI-Innovative Actions (EUI-IA) Call for Proposals is launched now and will close on 14 October 2024 at 14.00 CEST with an allocated indicative budget of EUR 90 million ERDF. Each project can receive up to a maximum of 5 million EUR ERDF co-financing and project implementation should take place within a maximum period of 3.5 years.
New EU Preparatory Action on innovation for place-based transformations
A new EU Preparatory Action (PA) on innovation for place-based transformations was publicly announced for the first time by the JRC of the European Commission during the ERRIN S3 Working Group meeting on 25 June. The challenge-oriented PA will offer several opportunities for regional engagement and will be based on the experience of Partnerships for Regional Innovation (PRI), with a call for EoI expected to launch in October 2024.
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. 74 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…
Latest Updates
- By Ewa Chomicz
ERRIN messages for Horizon Europe WIDERA Work Programme 2023-2024
As the Horizon Europe Work Programming for 2023-2024 is currently underway, ERRIN is pleased to share its messages and recommendations on the Horizon Europe WIDERA Work Programme for the coming period.
- By Ewa Chomicz
Over 45 ERRIN member regions and cities selected for PRI Pilot Action
The European Commission and the European Committee of the Regions launched today the Pilot Action on Partnerships for Regional Innovation, announcing 74 selected territories and publication of the PRI Playbook. Over 45 ERRIN member regions and cities will take part in the Pilot, feeding into the upcoming new European Innovation Agenda.
- By Gianpiero Petruzziello
Join the RIPEET Community and foster the energy transition in your region
As part of the Horizon 2020 RIPEET project, ERRIN is building a community of passionate regional representatives committed to shaping the regional energy vision of the future. Selected applicants will have the opportunity to benefit from a peer-learning scheme to replicate the RIPEET methodology and foster the energy transition in their region.
- By Hilary Webb
ERRIN contribution to call for evidence for the new European Innovation Agenda
ERRIN has submitted its messages in response to the European Commission's call for evidence for the development of the new European Innovation Agenda.
- By Teresa Vio
ERRIN is looking for a Policy and Communications Officer (deadline: 27 May)
ERRIN is looking for a Policy and Communications Officer to join its Secretariat! The successful candidate will work to support ERRIN in delivering high-quality services to members, raising the profile of ERRIN within the EU research and innovation field in Brussels, and contributing to the network's overall communication strategy. The deadline to apply is 27 May.
- By Rodolphe Doité
Call for regional examples on renewable energy projects
The Energy and Climate Working Group is looking for regional examples of renewable energy projects and challenges to be presented in its upcoming meeting, focusing on REPowerEU and Fit for 55 initiatives. The meeting will take place on the 20th of June and will be organised as an online event.