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
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 Hilary Webb
ERRIN messages on Horizon Europe Missions Work Programmes 2023-2024
In the context of the Horizon Europe Missions Work Programme 2023-2024 that is currently underway at the European Commission, ERRIN is pleased to share its messages on the Mission work programmes for 2023-2024 and the involvement of regional actors within the Missions.
- By Teresa Vio
ERRIN is looking for two Climate Neutral Cities Advisors (deadline: 15 May)
ERRIN is looking for two Climate Neutral Cities Advisors to join its Secretariat! The successful candidates will work to ensure the delivery of the Horizon Europe Mission on climate-neutral and smart cities by taking part in the activities of the NetZeroCities project. The deadline to apply is 15 May.
- By Hilary Webb
Consultation on brain drain - mitigating challenges associated with population decline
The European Commission is running a consultation targeted at individuals, regional authorities, academics, civil society and professional organisations on the scale and dynamics of brain drain.
- By Ewa Chomicz
ERRIN I3 Project Development Session: Call for project ideas - deadline extended
A call for project ideas to be presented in pitches during the ERRIN's I3 Project Development Session planned on 23 May is currently open. The deadline for sending ideas by ERRIN members and their stakeholders has now been extended until 13 May.
- By Ewa Chomicz
EU R&I community providing support for Ukrainian researchers
In the context of the Russian aggression against Ukraine and the ongoing war, members of the EU R&I community are mobilising efforts to support Ukrainian researchers. To engage and inspire, ERRIN members are encouraged to share information about their regional activities and initiatives in support of Ukraine's R&I ecosystem on the ERRIN website, using the tag ‘Solidarity with Ukraine’.
- By Ewa Chomicz
Call for short videos on innovative regional initiatives to be presented at WIRE 2022
To highlight innovation in Europe during this year's edition of the Week of Innovative Regions in Europe (WIRE) in France, short videos will be played during the event, presenting innovative R&I related activities/initiatives/projects led by the European regions. Regions interested in showcasing their initiatives can submit the videos until 29 April 2022.