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

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

8th Cohesion Forum: recover, rebuild, reconnect

8th Cohesion Forum, organised by the European Commission on 17-18 March, will debate how Cohesion policy can ensure that no region is left behind in the ongoing structural changes, and that all regions can reap the benefits of the green and digital transitions.

Smart Specialisation WG meeting: From S3 towards S4 - experiences & challenges

The aim of this WG meeting is to learn more about the S4 concept and to provide further information on the S4 pilot that is planned together with the European Commission and the European Committee of the Regions (CoR). The meeting will also provide an opportunity to discover experiences and challenges of S4 implementation thanks to regional examples.

ERRIN Intro Coffee

The ERRIN Secretariat is pleased to invite you to the upcoming virtual ERRIN Intro Coffee, aiming to offer a concise introduction to ERRIN and its services, as well as encourage networking between members. The meeting is directed mainly towards new ERRIN members and colleagues, but all interested members are welcome to participate.

RIPEET project - info session

Social innovation and energy transition are key topics for your region? Join us on 13 January to learn more about ERRIN's project RIPEET, and see how you can benefit from the results of the project and participate in its peer learning programme.

Smart Specialisation WG coffee meeting: I3, and now what?

The first calls of the Interregional Innovation Investment (I3) Instrument have now been published. Smart Specialisation WG organises a virtual coffee break on the topic. Grab a cup of (real) coffee or tea and join us in an open discussion on the calls features and possible joint project development.

ERRIN Autumn Annual General Meeting 2021

ERRIN's Autumn Annual General Meeting will take place this year on 9 December at 14:30-17:00 CET. In addition to offering highlights from 2021 and an outlook for 2022, the Autumn AGM will be an opportunity to continue ERRIN’s 20th-anniversary celebrations.

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 Astrid Hannes

Strengthening skills governance in regional innovation ecosystems: lessons learnt and remaining challenges

The forthcoming SEFS Working Group meeting will be dedicated to strengthening skills governance in regional innovation ecosystems. The members will learn about CHARTER's results, the first Erasmus+ funded sectoral blueprint that involved six regions to explore the place-based perspective on skills governance from a regional innovation ecosystem’s perspective. The event will take place online on 14 June at 10:00.

  • By Ewa Chomicz

I3 Instrument - Online Info Session

On 13 June 2024 from 9:30-12:00, EISMEA and DG REGIO are organising an informative webinar to learn more about the following calls under I3 Instrument (ERDF): Strand 1 - Financial and advisory support for investments in interregional innovation projects, and Strand 2a - Financial and advisory support to the development of value chains in less developed regions. Both calls opened on 6 June and will close on 5 December 2024.

  • By Ewa Chomicz

2nd C4T Conference: Sustainability Transitions in Cohesion Policy: From Policy to Practice

The C4T Community of Practice is a community-based platform that aims to support EU Member States and regions to make a better use of EU funds for sustainability transitions. With this in mind, DG REGIO and the C4T Secretariat will be hosting the second edition of the C4T Conference "Sustainability Transitions in Cohesion Policy: From Policy to Practice" on 4 June 2024, in Brussels and online.

  • By Daniele Ruggiano

UnILiON Brokerage Event under the Civil Security for Society Calls on Cluster 3 Calls

UnILiON invites you to its Brokerage Event under the Civil Security for Society Calls on Cluster 3 Calls, which will take place online on Monday, 03 June, 14:30 to 17:30 CET.

  • By Ewa Chomicz

S3 Webinar: Understanding the bottlenecks to innovation diffusion: insights from EU regions

The S3 Community of Practice and DG REGIO are organising a series of webinars directed to all S3 practitioners and stakeholders from regions across the EU. The third webinar in the series will focus on "Understanding the bottlenecks to innovation diffusion: insights from EU regions" and will be held by the S3 CoP Working Group on Innovation Diffusion on 23 May 2024 from 10:00-12:00 CEST.

  • By Ewa Chomicz

S3 Webinar: Paving the way for industrial transition through systemic change and inclusive strategies

The S3 Community of Practice and DG REGIO are organising a series of webinars directed to all S3 practitioners and stakeholders from regions across the EU. The second webinar in the series will focus on "Paving the way for industrial transition through systemic change and inclusive strategies" and will be held by the S3 CoP Working Group on Industrial Transition on 22 May 2024 from 14:30-16:30 CEST.