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

Book launch and policy debate on EU Cohesion Policy

Regional Studies Association Research Network on Cohesion Policy #CPnet and the Wielkopolska Region Office in Brussels are pleased to invite you for a public event aimed at promoting recently published volume by Edward Elgar Publishing entitled “EU Cohesion Policy: A Multidisciplinary Approach” discussing the state-of-the-art of Cohesion Policy and its future. The event will be held on 22 February 2024.

Policy WG: Towards FP10 – internal member exchange

The Policy Working Group is organising an internal member exchange to discuss the regional activities planned around the next European Framework Programme for R&I, as well as the structuring and focus of ERRIN’s input to FP10. The event will take place in person at the ERRIN premises on 22 February from 14:30-16:00, with welcome coffee from 14:00.

#EURegionsWeek 2024 kick off meeting

The 22nd edition of the European Week of Regions and Cities will take place on 7-10 October 2024. The kick-off meeting for potential partners will take place on Thursday, 22 February, from 10:00 - 11:30 at the European Committee of the Regions. It is also possible to follow this meeting online.

The EU strategy to support the Regional Innovation Valleys

On 7 February from 16.30-18:00 CET, Mind the Bridge is organising a webinar with Q&A on the EU strategy to support the Regional Innovation Valleys. András G. Inotai from DG RTD, European Commission, will provide details regarding the criteria, the matchmaking tool, and the funding. Previous registration is limited and obligatory.

Exploring Synergies between European Partnerships and EU Missions – Mutual Learning Event

ERRIN and the TRAMI project are organising a Mutual Learning Event (MLE) aiming to explore synergies between European Partnerships and EU Missions. The event will take place on Wednesday 7 February from 9:00 to 12:00 (CET) at the NCBR Brussels Office, Rue Belliard 40, Brussels.

Policy WG meeting: Kick-starting 2024: Towards R&I and cohesion policies post-2027

The Policy Working Group will kick off 2024 with a meeting offering the latest insights about the work at the EU level towards future R&I and cohesion policies post-2027, as some of ERRIN's priority focus areas for the coming years. The event will take place in person at the ERRIN premises on 30 January from 14:00-15:30, followed by networking coffee until 16:00.

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

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.

ERRIN at CoR SEDEC conference on place-based innovation

On 23 February, SEDEC Commission of the European Committee of the Regions and Regione Marche organised a conference on place-based innovation for the EU's green and digital transition. ERRIN was invited to share its messages, linking to the network's ongoing work around the future cohesion and R&I policies post-2027.

Latest Updates

  • By Hilary Webb

ERRIN selected to join the European Commission's I3 Expert Group

ERRIN has been selected to join the European Commission's expert group on Interregional Innovation Investment - the I3 Expert Group.

  • By Agnieszka Wieczorek Jetha

Call for applications for the membership of the Commission Expert Group on Interregional Innovation Investments (I3)

The Commission has published a call for applications for the membership of the Commission Expert Group on Interregional Innovation Investments (I3).

  • By Anonymous

Search engine innovation platforms in East and North Finland

Regions of East and North Finland (ENF) collaborate to develop new approaches based on smart specialisation. One of the goals is to develop new practices that support companies in utilising the expertise and versatile network of innovation platforms in the ENF area. The innovation platforms in East and North Finland have been collected to the East and North Finland Industrial Transition website. The website contains almost 50 service providers, or the so-called innovation platforms. The purpose of the site is to provide information of the different services offered to companies across the seven regions of East and North Finland, and to encourage interregional and international collaboration.

  • By Agnieszka Wieczorek Jetha

Now available: ERRIN priorities 2021 and Working Groups annual plans

Every year ERRIN defines workstreams to guide its work throughout the coming 12 months, closely linking to its core missions and indicating the crucial interests towards the EU R&I agenda. 

  • By Hilary Webb

European Parliament approves €672.5 billion Recovery and Resilience Facility

The European Parliament has approved the Recovery and Resiliency Facility, which aims to ensure that European economies recover from the pandemic while preparing for a sustainable and digital future.

  • By Agnieszka Wieczorek Jetha

Contribute to ERRIN session in the frame of the EU Industry Days 2021

In the frame of the EU Industry Days, a session will be organised by Business-University-Region Pro Silesia Association in collaboration with ERRIN. As part of the programme, an SME or a cluster from the ERRIN membership will have the opportunity to bring their experience to the panel.