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
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
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
S3 Partnership publishes position paper for a dedicated roadmap for Hydrogen Valleys
The European Hydrogen Valleys S3 Partnership has published a position paper "Through the Valley to the top: Why the EU needs a dedicated roadmap for Hydrogen Valleys".
ERRIN's EU Missions project mapping: express your interest
ERRIN aims to provide support to its members in developing successful proposals under the EU Missions of the Horizon Europe 2023-2024 work programme. ERRIN designed a brief survey with the upcoming EU Missions calls that may be of interest to regional and local stakeholders. Express your interest by 22 March.
ERRIN input to Horizon 2014-2027 consultation
ERRIN is pleased to share its input to the largest public consultation on the past, present and future of the Horizon programmes 2014-2027. The document is structured around four main areas based on the network’s priorities: EU Missions, European Partnerships, widening, and ecosystem approach.
Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument Work Programme 2023-2024 published
The Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument Work Programme 2023-2024 is out now. New calls will be launched in the second quarter of 2023 to address digital, green transition and smart manufacturing challenges linked to issues identified in the New European Innovation Agenda.
Usti region's proposal under i3 I3-2022-CAP2b — Capacity Building Strand 2b.
Usti region is a heavily industrialised region in the northwest part of the Czech Republic. It is facing challenges of decarbonisation, coalmines and brown coal power stations phase-out. The region could use an EC Just Transitions Mechanism for supporting new specialisation domains like hydrogen or geothermal energy as well as green chemistry (nanotechnologies). The region will be submitting a proposal under i3 I3-2022-CAP2b — Capacity Building Strand 2b.
Harnessing Talent in Europe: a new boost for EU Regions
Ensuring that regions facing a talent development trap become more resilient and attractive is crucial in the EU's commitment to leaving nobody and no place behind. For that reason, the Commission launched a new ‘Talent Booster Mechanism', supporting EU regions affected by the accelerated decline of their working age population to train, retain and attract the people, the skills and the competences needed to address the impact of the demographic transition.
Latest Updates
- By Ewa Chomicz
ERRIN event: Organising a regional innovation ecosystem
This in-person ERRIN event on 4 October, organised in line with the Management Board priority on widening and deepening engagement in R&I, invites all ERRIN members to share and explore the ways to develop their regional innovation ecosystems going beyond any specific initiatives or funding opportunities. The event will enable informal mutual learning and exchanges of practices between network colleagues from across Europe in an interactive way.
- By Ewa Chomicz
CoR stakeholder consultation "Towards an integrated EU policy approach to support place-based innovation for the green and digital transition"
The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) is drafting an opinion "Towards an integrated EU policy approach to support place-based innovation for the green and digital transition". Interested stakeholders are invited for a thematic consultation and exchange of views on 3 October 2023 from 10:00-12:00 at the CoR premises. Registration is possible by 29 September.
- By Rodolphe Doité
European Hydrogen Observatory Relaunch
The Clean Hydrogen Partnership is organising an event for the launch of European Hydrogen Observatory, on 29 September 2023 from 10:00 - 12:00 CEST.
- By Ewa Chomicz
KEP 2.0 seminar: Implementation of the New European Innovation Agenda – What is in it for regions and cities?
The European Committee of the Regions and the European Commission are organising a seminar on "Implementation of the New European Innovation Agenda – What is in it for regions and cities?" in the framework of their Knowledge Exchange Platform (KEP 2.0). The event will take place on 28 September from 14:30-18:00 in-person in Brussels, with ERRIN Director Pirita Lindholm as one of the speakers.
- By Ewa Chomicz
Smart Specialisation WG meeting: R&I in cohesion policy post-2027
As discussions around the new cohesion policy framework post-2027 are gaining momentum, this ERRIN S3 WG meeting will focus on the need for closer links with R&I policies. Sari Rautio, member of the Commission’s high-level group on the future of cohesion policy, and Francesco Molica, expert to the CoR President on the thematic CoR opinion, will present their proposals and exchange with members. The event will take place on 27 September from 14:30-16:00 in person at ERRIN premises, with welcome coffee from 14:00.
- By Agnieszka Wieczorek Jetha
Science meets Regions final event
Science meets Regions aims to boost evidence for policy at local and regional level through various mechanisms: participatory events and innovation camps on specific policy issues, pairing schemes between researchers and policymakers at local level, as well as skills training on working with evidence for policymakers. The closing event on 27-28 September will bring together current and former participants in the project, taking stock of the results but also reflecting on the future of the project.