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 for SDGs: A reflection framework for strengthening sustainability dimension in S3
The JRC is organising an e-Talk on 28 April to present key findings from its paper discussing theoretical and conceptual implications of embedding the sustainability challenges and SDGs in the Smart Specialisation approach. A revised reflection and self-assessment framework developed together with practitioners will also be introduced.
Webinar on the Pilot Call on Partnerships for Regional Innovation (PRI)
On 20 April 2022 at 12:00-13:00 CEST, the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission and the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) are hosting an interactive webinar on the Pilot Call on Partnerships for Regional Innovation (PRI). The deadline for expressions of interest in the call is on 25 April.
CCRI information session: Call for Pilots and Fellows
On 20 April 2022 the Coordination and Support Office of the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI), managed by ERRIN, is organising a webinar on the call for expression of interest for Pilots and Fellows of the Circular Cities & Regions Initiative. During this informative session, you will receive information on the scope of the CCRI as well as on the open call for Pilots and Fellows.
'Europe, let's cooperate!' interregional cooperation forum
The 8th edition of 'Europe, let's cooperate!' interregional cooperation forum will take place online on 5 April 2022 at 09:30-16:00 CEST. The day will focus on the launch of the first call for project proposals under the Interreg Europe programme in the 2021-2027 period, which will be open from 5 April until 31 May this year.
NCP Brussels Workshop: Understanding your proposal evaluation under Horizon Europe
NCP Brussels is organising a webinar on 24 March dedicated to proposal evaluation under Horizon Europe and how to make the most of it. The webinar is open to any Brussels-based organisation interested in (re)submitting an application to Horizon Europe calls for proposals (Pillars 2 & 3 only).
Blue Platform Workshop: Aligning funding in Blue Bioeconomy
A Blue Platform workshop, 'Aligning funding in the Blue Bioeconomy - the new I3 programme as an opportunity to facilitate interregional innovation investments', will take place online on 24 March.
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
Horizon Europe strategic plan 2025-2027 is out
On 20 March, the Commission adopted the second Horizon Europe strategic plan. The plan sets out three key strategic orientations for the EU's research and innovation funding for the last three years of the programme (2025-2027). Find out what novelties the new strategic plan brings.
Express your interest in the 3rd Interreg Europe call via the ERRIN Project Development Tool
Interreg Europe's 3rd call for proposals, launched on 20 March, supports interregional cooperation projects addressing common regional development challenges. Organisations can use the ERRIN Project Development tool to express interest and find partners. The call is open until 7 June 2024.
ERRIN at the 10th European Summit of Regions and Cities & 30th anniversary of CoR
On 18-19 March, the 10th European Summit of Regions and Cities took place in Mons, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR). ERRIN joined the summit for debates on the future of cohesion policy and promotion of the Living-in.EU movement, all while recognising the long-standing dialogue with CoR.
Systems to quantify nitrogen fluxes and uncertainties in European landscapes
Call for Partner interest under the Mission Soil calls, focusing on Systems to quantify nitrogen fluxes and uncertainties in European landscapes.
Marching towards FP10 – ERRIN activity update
As we enter March and approach the European R&I Days, several ERRIN activities planned for 2024 with a link to FP10 have already taken place, and more are on their way. Have a look at an update with the outcomes of our recent work on the next European Framework Programme for R&I, next steps and opportunities to get involved.
Open call for regions to host S3 Conference 2024
The S3 Community of Practice (S3 CoP) Secretariat, where ERRIN is a partner, opened a call to all EU regions and member states to express their interest in hosting the Smart Specialisation (S3) Conference 2024 this autumn. The event will be at the forefront of discussions on Smart Specialisation and its key role in fostering local economic development. Deadline for applications is 15 March.
Latest Updates
- By Anonymous
Wielkopolska Region is looking for EWRC partners
Wielkopolska Region (Poland) is currently looking for potential partners to organise an event during this year's edition of European Week of Regions and Cities (10-13 October 2022). We are interested in the following thematic areas: green transition, youth empowerment and territorial cohesion.
- By Gaia Ialisa Marotta
Call for proposal for the 10th edition of the EU Design Days
The next edition of EU Design Days will take place on 10 June in Brussels! This year the topic will be “Will beauty actually save the world? How can design contribute to the green transition and help us to achieve the goals of the EU Green Deal?”
- By Hilary Webb
Become a partner of the 2022 EU Regions Week
The 20th edition of the European Week of Regions and Cities will take place from 10 - 13 October this year. To start preparations for the conference, applications for EU Regions Week partners are now open.
- By Ewa Chomicz
8th Cohesion Report: findings on regional innovation in Europe
The European Commission has published the 8th Cohesion Report: Cohesion in Europe towards 2050. According to the findings, while the Cohesion policy has, in general, helped to narrow territorial and social disparities between regions in the EU, the regional innovation divide in Europe has grown.
- By Hilary Webb
ERRIN is looking for a Project & Communications Assistant (traineeship)
ERRIN is looking for a new trainee! The Project and Communications Assistant will have the opportunity to participate in the daily work of the organisation by carrying out communications tasks and by assisting colleagues working on projects. The deadline to apply is 14 February.
- By Hilary Webb
Science meets Regions: second call now open
The second call for interest under the Science Meets Regions action is now open. The call concerns innovation camps and participatory events for single regions and cities and networking initiatives for consortia of regions and/or cities on issues of common concern.