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
Multi-partner cooperation formulas and their impact on territorial development
The event will be an open discussion and a participatory session based on the RIS3, focusing mostly but not exclusively on the role of authorities and multi-level governance issues; on implementation tools; on continuous EDP and involvement of users; on open dimension and strategic use of Interreg;
2018 SMARTER Conference on Smart Specialisation and Territorial Development: Implementation across global networks of regions, cities and firms
This conference offers a comprehensive picture of the smart specialisation policy experience, including an evaluation of its early results, and highlights recent developments both conceptually and empirically.
Smart Specialisation WG Meeting: Dialogue with the European Institutions
In the next Smart Specialisation Working Group meeting, Alexander Ferstl from the Austrian Presidency will present the state of play of the discussions on the post-2020 Cohesion policy proposal in the Council, with a focus on innovation and S3 related issues.
Smart Specialisation WG Meeting
We are happy to invite you to the last Smart Specialisation Working Group meeting for this year!
New Industrial Value Chains For Growth – S34Growth
The Vanguard Initiative originated Interreg Europe project “Enhancing policies through interregional cooperation: New industrial value chains for growth (S34GROWTH)” , involving 10 VI regions, was launched in 2016 with a bold ambition to explore and define how industry-led, inter-regional collaborat
Smart Specialisation WG meeting
In this last Smart Specialisation Working Group meeting of the year, we will learn more about, and discuss The future of smart specialisation and cohesion policy. It will take place on December 4 at the Helsinki EU Office, Rue Belliard 15-17 from 14.00 – 16.30.
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.
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.
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.
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 Ewa Chomicz
Management Board elections 2021 – call for nominations launched!
Every year ERRIN holds elections for the Management Board. You can put forward your candidature for this year’s elections until 18 October.
- By Agnieszka Wieczorek Jetha
Join the S3 WG as a co-leader
Due to changes in the leadership, the Smart Specialisation (S3) Working Group is looking for a new WG leader to co-lead the group together with the current leaders from Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur, North-East Romania, and Wielkopolska.
- By Hilary Webb
Stakeholder survey on Europe's innovation ecosystem
The European Commission is running a survey to gather views on challenges faced by European innovation ecosystem actors, their future opportunities and expectations.
- By Hilary Webb
Science meets Regions: Call for expressions of interest
Express interest by 24 September to support the implementation of the JRC's Science meets Regions action via innovation camps, participatory events and networking activities.
- By Hilary Webb
First Horizon Europe calls launch
The first calls for proposals in the EU's new key funding programme for research and Innovation, Horizon Europe, are now open.
- By Hilary Webb
Main Horizon Europe work programme adopted
The European Commission has adopted the main work programme of Horizon Europe for the period 2021-2022. The programme outlines the objectives and topic areas that will receive a share of €14.7 billion in funding.