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

Last Working Group Meetings

Previous Related ERRIN Working Group Meetings

Smart Specialisation WG meeting: S3 and PRI – the way ahead

Smart Specialisation WG meeting: S3 and PRI – the way ahead

Ewa Chomicz

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

Strengthening skills governance in regional innovation ecosystems: lessons learnt and remaining challenges

Astrid Hannes

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

Policy & Smart Specialisation WGs meeting: Widening in FP10 and impact on cohesion policy post-2027

Ewa Chomicz

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

WG Related Events

2nd European Mission Network (EMiN) meeting- Making missions work - How to involve regions in the mission implementation process?

Following the Mutal Learning Event, organised jointly by TRAMI (Transnational Cooperation on the Missions Approach) and ERRIN in October, the 2nd European Mission Network (EMiN) meeting Making missions work - How to involve regions in the mission implementation process? is taking place online on 7 December 14:00-16:00.

European Partnership Stakeholder Forum - One-year review of European Partnership Initiatives in Horizon Europe

On 15 and 16 November 2022, the European Commission will launch its first European Partnership Stakeholder Forum. The Forum focuses on reviewing the first year of partnerships and, in particular, how they can contribute to the twin green and digital transitions, and increase Europe’s resilience. Participation is possible online or in person in Brussels.

iWATERMAP Conference: A Blueprint for place-based Innovation Ecosystems

The iWATERMAP conference will be hosted at the Committee of the Regions. The iWATERMAP project focuses on supporting the innovation policies in water technology sector, helping to increase the critical mass of innovation ecosystems in partner regions in this sector.

Virtual info day for second Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Digital calls

The info day on the new calls launched under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Digital will take place virtually on 25 October from 9.30 to 13.00 CEST.

Brussels Talks: How to be an innovative region in Europe?

As part of the event series Brussels Talks, NCBR – Business & Science Poland are organising the online event 'How to be an innovative region in Europe?', with ERRIN director Pirita Lindholm as the main speaker. The event will discuss regional innovations ecosystems, how to support R&I capacities at local and regional level and how to reduce the innovation divide. Furthermore, the support offered by current EU funded programmes and initiatives will be explored.

Translating EU Missions into regional policy

The TRAMI project and ERRIN are organising a mutual learning event on 18 October. The event will aim to showcase a successful translation of the EU Missions approach into concrete policies and tools on the regional level and to foster the discussion on challenges and opportunities with its implementation.

WG Documents

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

WG Related Content

Follow up on Knowledge Exchange Platform (KEP 2.0) workshop

The European Committee of the Regions and the European Commission DG RTD held on 22 June in Brussels the first Knowledge Exchange Platform (KEP) event of the year, focusing on the way ahead for building synergies for successful green and digital transitions. ERRIN Director Pirita Lindholm moderated the panel discussion on ‘ongoing and future strategies and initiatives’.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Latest Updates

  • 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.

  • By Anonymous

The Nicosia Tourism Board is interested in joining a consortium for the COSME TOURISM call (SMP-COSME-2021-TOURSME)

The Nicosia Tourism Board is interested in joining a consortium for the COVID-19 Recovery Through Sustainable Tourism Growth and SME Support (SMP-COSME-2021-TOURSME) call. The general objective of the action is to monitor the sustainability performance of SMEs in the tourism sector, whilst boosting their awareness, development and capacity in the area of sustainable innovations.

  • By Etienne Rodzinka-Verhelle

Basque authorities coordinating a HE proposal on ci

Some entities of the Basque Country (Spain) are leading a proposal for Horizon Europe (topic: HORIZON-CL6-2022-CIRCBIO-01-01: Circular cities and regions initiative’s project development assistance), and are looking for European partners.

  • By Ewa Chomicz

I3 Instrument calls now open

The Interregional Innovation Investment (I3) Instrument opened calls under two strands with a total budget of EUR 145 million for the period of 2021-2022.

  • By Etienne Rodzinka-Verhelle

European Innovation Ecosystems and ERA Hubs: call for interest

ERRIN is launching a survey aimed at gathering views from the network’s stakeholders on how the notions of ecosystems can be rolled-out in practice, and how their interconnectedness can pilot the ERA Hub concept. The survey will help us identify regions interested to join the next HE call on Interconnected Innovation Ecosystems.