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.

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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

Smart Specialisation WG: I3 Project Development Session

The ERRIN Smart Specialisation Working Group is organising an I3 Project Development Session for the network’s members to gain official and practical insights from the first Interregional Innovation Investment (I3) Instrument calls’ cut-offs as well as exchange interest and pitches to build project consortiums for the next cut-off on 18 October 2022.

RIGHT (Right Skills for the Right Future) - Final event and policy seminar

Discover the future of Europe through the findings of the Interreg North Sea Region project RIGHT. The project consortium will host its final event and policy seminar in Brussels on 23 May from 10:00-12:00 CEST.

3rd ERA CoBioTech Hub Meeting

During its final ERA CoBioTech Hub Meeting, which will take place as a virtual conference on 19 May 2022, ERA CoBioTech gathers the diverse actors of the new European Partnerships and in the fields of biotechnology, bioeconomy, life sciences and other innovative technologies.

Launch of the CoR-JRC Pilot Action on Partnerships for Regional Innovation

The European Commission and the European Committee of the Regions are launching the Pilot action on Partnerships for Regional Innovation. The hybrid event will take place on the May 17th 2022.

WIRE 2022: Towards a leading Europe in breakthrough innovation: unleashing the potential of regions

This year's edition of the Week of Innovative Regions in Europe (WIRE) will take place on 11-13 May 2022 under the theme “Towards a leading Europe in breakthrough innovation: unleashing the potential of regions”. The event will be hosted by Université Paris-Saclay, France, under the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Nordic Edge Expo 2022

Nordic Edge Expo 2022, 10-11 May The 8th leading Nordic event for future cities and communities will be a physical event in the city centre of Stavanger. 10-11 May we will bring you a meeting place focusing on the topics: Urban Energy, Life Actually, On the Move and Spaces & Places. We call out to politicians, leaders, technology inventors, students, investors, start-ups, artists and citizens who wants smarter and more sustainable cities and communities.

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

How is cultural heritage integrated into regional development? CHARTER Alliance publishes new report on six regional case studies conducted by ERRIN

CHARTER, the European Cultural Heritage Skills Alliance funded by Erasmus+, has released a new report showcasing findings and conclusions from six regional case studies conducted by ERRIN members in the Basque Country (Spain), Sibiu (Romania), Bremen (Germany), Alentejo (Portugal), Tuscany (Italy), and Västra Götaland (Sweden) in 2021-2023. The report synthesises how skills for cultural heritage are integrated into regional development policies and strategies, examining sector-integrated dynamics within these regional ecosystems. The report provides recommendations for developing long-term…

ERRIN two-page input on FP10 for the attention of the Expert Group

As the work towards the next EU Framework Programme for R&I (FP10) continues, ERRIN is pleased to share its two-page input for the attention of the Expert Group on the interim evaluation of Horizon Europe. The document is a concise compilation of the reflections on FP10 done at ERRIN so far, highlighting topics of key importance. Work on a series of broader input papers is underway.

Extended deadline: Call for Circular Economy Experts providing personalised support for cities and regions

To better support the implementation of circular systemic solutions at the local and regional levels, the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative just launched a call for external experts who can offer personalised support to cities and regions. Experts should have at least five years of experience in the fields of stakeholder and citizen engagement, innovation and technology, business models and financial support, public procurement, or impact evaluation and can express their interest until 14 June 2024.

ERRIN is looking for a Head of projects - Extended Deadline

In view of the upcoming departure of ERRIN's current Director of projects, Ryan Titley, ERRIN is looking for a replacement to start in September 2024. The new colleague will work closely with the ERRIN Director on strategic planning, and lead the implementation and development of ERRIN's current and future project portfolio. Extended deadline: Applications are open until 26 May at 17.00 CEST.

Empowering Innovation: Overview of Public Engagement in Research & Innovation

DG RTD has recently released a thematic report titled "Overview of Public Engagement in Research & Innovation", which provides an introductory overview of Public Engagement in Research and Innovation in Europe. The document aims to inspire and help public actors and policymakers to promote and support public engagement.

Express your interest in the EU Missions and New European Bauhaus Calls 2024

The European Commission has launched new calls for proposals to support research and innovation for its five EU Missions and the New European Bauhaus (NEB). ERRIN encourages all members and their stakeholders to express interest in the EU Missions and NEB calls through the ERRIN Project Development Tool (PDT).

Latest Updates

  • By Ewa Chomicz

Matchmaking Event for territories interested to become Regional Innovation Valleys

On 12 September 2023, the Commission is organising an online matchmaking event for territories interested in becoming RIVs. It aims at creating opportunities for participants to meet and connect with a view of responding to the RIVs call for expression interest by 18 September 2023 and/or finding partners for applications to RIVs calls for proposals under Horizon Europe and I3 Instrument by 17 October 2023.

  • By Rodolphe Doité

Discover Multi Country Projects and the European Digital Infrastructure Consortiums (EDICs)

Organised by the Living-in.EU Finance subgroup, this online webinar will offer the opportunity to discuss the European Digital Infrastructure Consortium (EDIC) mechanism on behalf of the European Commission. The webinar will take place on 11 September from 11:00-12:30.

  • By Ewa Chomicz

CoR stakeholder consultation on the future of cohesion policy post-2027

The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) is currently drafting an opinion on the future of cohesion policy post-2027. Representatives of local and regional authorities and other relevant stakeholders are invited for a topical consultation and exchange of views on 13 July from 10:00-12:00 at the CoR premises and online. ERRIN members are encouraged to register.

  • By Rodolphe Doité

Virtual workshop with Smart Cities and Communities on a European Local Digital Twins Toolbox

An online workshop is organised on 12 July (14:00 to 16:00 CEST) to gather feedback from local and regional authorities on the composition of the Local Digital Twins (LDT) toolbox .

  • By Ewa Chomicz

Policy WG meeting: Regional Innovation Valleys call under Horizon Europe – dealing with co-funding

In the frame of ERRIN’s focus on the Regional Innovation Valleys call under Horizon Europe (EIE RIV call), the requirement of 50% co-funding emerges as one of the most challenging aspects of the call for prospective applicant regions. The online Policy WG meeting on 29 June aims to discuss this urgent issue to further support network members in applying to the EIE RIV call by 17 October.

  • By Anonymous

Industrialisation for a Green Transition in the European Arctic

Umeå University has the pleasure to invite you to this unofficial event of the Swedish presidency of the Council of the EU focused on the rapid green transition and the re-industrialisation in European regions.The event will take place on 29 June from 11:30-13:00 at the North Sweden European Office in Brussels.