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
Vanguard Initiative Regional Conference: Connecting Innovation Strengths Across Regions
Register today for the Vanguard Initiative Regional Conference, hosted by Wales and Randstad regions.
Europe’s Recovery – The Role of Regions
The partner regions Emilia-Romagna, Hessen, Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Wielkopolska invite to the livestream event: Europe’s Recovery – The Role of Regions
Smart Specialisation for Blue Economy Workshop
DG MARE, the Joint Research Centre (JRC) and DG REGIO are together preparing a workshop on Smart Specialisation for Blue Economy. The workshop marks the first step in a broader process to support the development of S3 partnerships in the blue economy.
Horizon Europe brokerage events
Six brokerage events are being organised to following their corresponding cluster at the Horizon Europe Info Days. The events, organised by different partners, will provide opportunities for applicants to meet, discuss their research, ideas and expertise with potential new partners and build consortia for the new Horizon Europe calls.
Horizon Europe info-days
The European Commission has announced the first edition of the Horizon Europe info-days, which will take place over 10 days, divided into nine themes. From 28 June to 9 July 2021, the event will give prospective applicants insight into the novelties, main funding instruments and processes of Horizon Europe.
European Research and Innovation Days 2021
The 2021 edition of the European Research and Innovation Days will take place as an online event this coming June.
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
A look forward: Launching ERRIN reflections on regional dimension in R&I post-2027
Autumn 2023 marked the start of ERRIN’s targeted reflections on regional dimension in research and innovation in the new EU Multiannual Financial Framework post-2027, relating to the next EU Framework Programme for R&I (FP10) and future cohesion policy. We are offering a recap of our activities so far, first messages and planned next steps.
Management Board elections 2023 – results
Following the call for nominations for ERRIN Management Board held between 20 September and 5 October, we are happy to announce the nominated Management Board members. The five nominees will be approved as new Management Board members at the ERRIN Extraordinary General Meeting on 16 November.
Release of LORDIMAS, a digital maturity assessment tool for Regions and Cities
During the European Week of Regions and Cities 2023, a dedicated session was organised to launch LORDIMAS, a digital maturity assessment helping local and regional governments to understand where they are in their digital transformation journey. The tool is now accessible online.
ERRIN members showcase good practices at ICLEI B@S event on circular cultural tourism
The last edition of ICLEI’s flagship Breakfast at Sustainability’s series took place on 5 October 2023 from 10:00-12:00 CEST , in collaboration with ERRIN and as part of the Be.CULTOUR project. On this occasion, ERRIN members had the opportunity to take the stand and showcase inspiring examples of good practices demonstrating how circular approaches to tourism, human-centred destinations, and heritage-led transformations can contribute to building a sustainable future for all.
Shape ERRIN's agenda 2024 - Annual Member Survey
In view of the annual strategy workshops that we will organise with all the Working Group (WG) and Task Force (TF) leaders in the second half of November, all members are invited to provide input on priorities, topics, and activities that should be addressed in 2024. The input can be provided by 31 October 2023.
169 country actions in support of the New European Innovation Agenda
On 19 September 2023, the European Commission published the list of actions that Member States and Associated Countries to Horizon Europe are so far undertaking or planning to undertake in support of one or more of the five flagships of the New European Innovation Agenda, including Flagship 3 closely followed by ERRIN. 20 countries have so far reported 169 actions in total, with their scope ranging from regional, through national to European.
Latest Updates
- By Hilary Webb
Survey on RIS3 synergies with EU Mission Restore our Ocean & Waters
As part of a baseline study, a survey focussing on Smart Specialisation Strategies is now open, with the purpose of identifying potential synergies between RIS3 and the Ocean and Waters Mission objectives.
- By Ewa Chomicz
Building on S3: PRI Pilot Action and call for expressions of interest
CoR and JRC propose Partnerships for Regional Innovation (PRI), previously referred to as S4, as a complementary approach building on positive experiences with smart specialisation strategies (S3). A call for expressions of interest from regions, groups of regions and Member States to participate in the CoR-JRC PRI Pilot Action is now open until 25 April 2022.
- By Jesper Bracht
VIA University College seeks consortium for Erasmus+ Teacher Academies
As one of six university colleges in Denmark, VIA University College educates e.g. teachers, pre-school and early childhood learning specialists, nurses, social workers, engineers and designers and offer education programmes in 11 cities of the Central Denmark Region. VIA also has seven research and development centres including centres and programs developing and researching digital learning, sustainability and inclusion. VIA is searching for partners to build an Erasmus+ Teacher Academy.
- By Anonymous
Wielkopolska Region is looking for EWRC partners
Wielkopolska Region (Poland) is currently looking for potential partners to organise an event during this year's edition of European Week of Regions and Cities (10-13 October 2022). We are interested in the following thematic areas: green transition, youth empowerment and territorial cohesion.
- By Gaia Ialisa Marotta
Call for proposal for the 10th edition of the EU Design Days
The next edition of EU Design Days will take place on 10 June in Brussels! This year the topic will be “Will beauty actually save the world? How can design contribute to the green transition and help us to achieve the goals of the EU Green Deal?”
- By Hilary Webb
Become a partner of the 2022 EU Regions Week
The 20th edition of the European Week of Regions and Cities will take place from 10 - 13 October this year. To start preparations for the conference, applications for EU Regions Week partners are now open.