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
Industry 4.0 - a key element for a green transition
The session will present challenges and obstacles that the industry is facing in the field of the green transition and explore possible solutions and new paths of collaborations between R&I and industry 4.0, that could support the decarbonisation.
Conference on H2 skills for sustainable industries
The European Hydrogen Valleys S3 Partnership (which includes 3 ERRIN members among its coordinators: Aragon, Auvergne Rhône Alpes and Normandie) will organise a webinar dedicated to H2 skills for sustainable industries, during the next edition of the EU Industry Days.
Health data for innovation - opportunities and societal challenges
SAPHIRe presents an interactive workshop on health data for innovation. The session will discuss how the smart specialisation agenda can leverage regional healthcare innovation to improve citizens' lives.
Annual Strategy Workshops - co-designing priorities and activities for 2021
To start planning the activities in the WGs for 2021, the WG leaders will meet according to the clusters to discuss the policy context, project development, and possible topics for the year ahead. All members are warmly invited to provide input in advance.
EWRC session: Interregional Innovation Investments
By bringing quadruple helix stakeholders together and stimulating key actors of the interregional innovation ecosystems, the intention of the workshop is to animate the debate on how to use public money to de-risk cooperation, accelerate innovation and unlock private investments.
EWRC session: Resilience of EU innovation ecosystems
The session will analyse the various aspects of the impact of COVID-19 on the EU and how S3 models have helped during the lockdown and will help further in the post-crisis transition.
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
On the way to shaping cohesion policy post-2027
While following developments towards the next European Framework Programme for R&I (FP10), ERRIN also keeps a close eye on the future of cohesion policy, its R&I dimension and coherence with R&I policy post-2027. Have a look at recent key highlights on the topic.
The European Capital of Innovation Awards
In 2024, the European Innovation Council is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the European Capital of Innovation Awards. The competition rewards those European cities that are courageous enough to open their governance practices to experimentation and push the boundaries of technology for the benefit of their citizens. In addition to the monetary reward, the prize brings high visibility in the form of renewed public interest and increased media coverage. The deadline for submission is 18 June 2024, 17:00.
The EIC launches a consultation on its Business Acceleration Services
The European Innovation Council (EIC) is launching a survey open to EIC beneficiaries, aiming to collect information regarding the use of the EIC Community Platform and the EIC Business Acceleration Services. The survey is open until 12 April 2024.
9th Cohesion Report is published
On 27 March, the Commission published the 9th Cohesion Report. The document presents an assessment of the state of cohesion in the Union, shows the progress made and draws lessons for the future.
NEIA implementation report & Regional Innovation Valleys update
On 20 March, the Commission published the first report on the state of play of the New European Innovation Agenda, following its launch in July 2022. The document outlines the progress and achievements with regard to the 25 actions under Agenda’s five flagships, including the Regional Innovation Valleys. On the same day, an EU R&I Days debate on the way forward for RIVs was also held.
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.
Latest Updates
- By Ewa Chomicz
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.
- By Gianpiero Petruzziello
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.
- By Ewa Chomicz
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.
- By Teresa Vio
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.
- By Hilary Webb
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.
- By Rodolphe Doité
Call for regional examples on renewable energy projects
The Energy and Climate Working Group is looking for regional examples of renewable energy projects and challenges to be presented in its upcoming meeting, focusing on REPowerEU and Fit for 55 initiatives. The meeting will take place on the 20th of June and will be organised as an online event.