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

Energy and Climate Working Group meeting - Hydrogen: what is the role for regions in the new EU policy developments & Clean Hydrogen Partnership 2023 calls?

On Thursday 16 February from 13:30 to 16:00, the Energy and Climate Change Working Group organised an on-site and online event on the topic of Hydrogen, focusing on the role of regions in the new EU policy developments & Clean Hydrogen Partnership 2023 calls.

European Entrepreneurial Region (EER) 2024 award info day

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The European Entrepreneurial Region (EER) Info Day, taking place virtually on 3 February 2023 at 10:00 CET, aims to address regions awarded with the EER label as well as candidate cities and regions in preparing their EER application.

Smart Specialisation WG coffee meeting: I3 Strand 2b call

The I3 Instrument call for proposals under Strand 2b Capacity Building in Less Developed Regions is open until 16 March 2023. The S3 Working Group is pleased to invite all members for the online coffee meeting on 2 February from 10:30-11:30 to informally discuss this call, ask questions and exchange ideas for potential collaborations.

I3 Instrument Info Day

European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) is hosting an online info day on the I3 Instrument- Strand 2b Capacity Building in Less Developed Regions. The event will take place on 19 January between 14:30 and 16:40. 

ERRIN Autumn Annual General Meeting 2022

ERRIN's Autumn Annual General Meeting will be held this year on 8 December from 14:30-18:15 CET followed by networking drinks from 18:15 CET. In addition to discussing formal issues and offering an opportunity to network, the event will feature a working session around the European Year of Skills.

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.

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

EU's Knowledge Ecosystems: A Regional Stakeholder Survey

The ERA FABRIC project, which aims to define the ERA Hubs concept across Europe, launched a survey for regional stakeholders to identify the most recurrent characteristics and parameters of excellence of European knowledge ecosystems. ERA Hubs concept remains of particular interest for ERRIN. The survey will be open until 10 March 2024.

ERRIN is looking for a Communications Assistant (traineeship)

ERRIN is looking for a Communications Assistant! This role is a perfect opportunity to gain first-hand experience in Research and Innovation and participate in the daily work of the organisation. The deadline to apply is 27 February.

Introducing ERRIN’s Project Development Tool: a gateway to your next project

ERRIN is excited to announce the launch of its new Project Development Tool, a significant game-changer in how ERRIN members and their stakeholders engage in project development activities. We encourage all members to log in, explore this tool and leverage it for their project development needs.

ERRIN’s agenda for 2024 unveiled 

Every year ERRIN defines workstreams to guide its work throughout the year, closely linking to its core missions and priorities, as well as the key initiatives in the EU R&I agenda. Discover what has been planned for 2024 in ERRIN Working Groups and Task Forces.

Direction FP10 – rolling out ERRIN's activities in 2024

With the Commission proposal on the next EU Framework Programme for R&I (FP10) expected in mid-2025, this year will be key for setting the tone for further work on the topic and actively engaging in discussion. Have a look at an overview of ERRIN activities currently in the pipeline and opportunities to engage.

Governance structures to implement the EU Missions: check the new Mission Data Platform

A new Mission Data Platform has recently been launched by TRAMI, the EU-funded project focusing on transnational cooperation on the Mission-approach and effective implementation of the EU Missions. This tool supports and links with ERRIN's work on multi-level governance in the Cities Mission within the NetZeroCities project.

Latest Updates

  • By Agnieszka Wieczorek Jetha

The Guild publishes position paper and proposals for R&I missions for FP9

The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities is now sharing its position paper on the mission-driven approach for the EU’s next Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP9).

  • By Ewa Chomicz

S3 Conference 2024 - save the date!

Save the date for the Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3) Conference 2024, which will take place this year on 11-12 December in Rimini, Italy. The flagship event for S3 stakeholders from across regions in EU Member States is organised by DG REGIO and S3 CoP Secretariat, in partnership with Emilia-Romagna Region and with the support of the Municipality of Rimini and Palacongressi di Rimini.

  • By Annamaria Cosattini

EUREKA 2024: Fair of culture and creativity - Friuli Venezia Giulia

Eureka 2024 is designed for the enterprises that want to boost their competitiveness and for all the culture and innovation enthusiasts. Take your unique opportunity to meet the cultural and creative industry leaders and engage in two days of exposition, B2B meetings, workshops and conferences. The event will take place in Pordenone, on 29-30 October.

  • By Annelie Zapfe

From Vision to Action: Co-Creating Rural Futures

The development and connectivity of rural areas, along with their interaction with urban regions, is a critical concern for Thuringia and many European regions. This event aims to initiate a co-design process in collaboration with like-minded European regions. You are invited to share your experiences, discuss, and contribute to the thematic topics of the World Café sessions: (1) Buildings as a Resource, (2) Mobility and Digitalisation, and (3) Community and Society. Your active participation and input, or that of your region, would be invaluable to this collaborative effort. This event will take place in Brussels, on 25 June, 14:30-19:00.

  • By Ewa Chomicz

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 an initiative building on S3 to support innovation for place-based transformations. The meeting will present the latest and upcoming PRI developments and opportunities for engagement, alongside regional insights and an interactive discussion. Please note the new date! The event will be held online on 25 June from 10:00-11:30 CEST.

  • By Valentina Srbuljevic

EuroINNOWorkshop&Aperitif - "Veneto Data Platform"

VENETO DATA PLATFORM - Collection, analysis, and use of data for managing cities and territories to provide better services to citizens. The event will take place in Brussels on 24 June, 16:30-19:00.