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
Management Board elections 2023 – call for nominations launched!
Every year ERRIN holds elections for the Management Board. Becoming a member of the Board offers a great opportunity to develop ERRIN further and strategically lead the network’s activities. You can put forward your candidature for this year’s elections until 5 October.
Regional Innovation Valleys: interest so far & matchmaking map
On 6 September, the European Commission published a matchmaking map showcasing European regions that have so far expressed their interest to become a Regional Innovation Valley (RIV) by applying to the call for Expression of Interest launched in March 2023. The call for EoI is still open for new submissions until 18 September 2023.
ERRIN contribution to the European roadmap for Hydrogen Valleys
The discussions around the development of the Hydrogen Valleys are gaining momentum with the European Commission's open consultation on the topic. ERRIN submitted an input paper based on its members' needs, challenges, and solutions. This paper outlines how local and regional governments address hydrogen-related challenges and recognises the importance of Hydrogen Valleys as place-based innovation ecosystems bringing together key stakeholders engaged in developing hydrogen solutions.
ERRIN Extraordinary General Meeting on 16 November 2023 – important announcement for members
All ERRIN members are invited to save the date for the ERRIN Extraordinary General Meeting, which will take place on 16 November 2023 in the ERRIN premises. The meeting is organised to make the necessary changes to the ERRIN Articles of Association and a minimum of 2/3 of the ERRIN members must be represented. Therefore, the engagement of each member is of key importance (participation is possible online for associate members).
ERRIN contribution to the CoR opinion on “The future of cohesion policy post-2027”
The discussions around the future cohesion policy framework post-2027 are gaining momentum with the CoR opinion on the topic currently under consultation. ERRIN submitted written input guided by network members' experiences, kicking off the conversation on the need to explore closer links between cohesion and research & innovation policies. More activities are in the planning.
EU Missions: The European Commission publishes its first mid-term review
On 19 July, the European Commission (EC) published a Communication on the assessment of the EU Missions after two years of implementation. The EC details the Missions' successes but also recognises the need to address challenges related to governance, budget, citizens and private sector engagement. The EC also proposes to add a sixth Mission on the New European Bauhaus.
Latest Updates
- By Astrid Hannes
SEFS WG Meeting: Kicking off the European Year of Skills in the ERRIN Network: State of play of the Pact for Skills and its regional dimension
This first SEFS WG meeting will kick off the European Year of Skills in the ERRIN network and is open to members of all Working Groups. ERRIN members will have an in-depth look at the Pact for Skills and we will learn about the state of play of this first flagship of the new European Skills Agenda. We will also discuss with the European Commission the regional dimension of the Pact for Skills, the Regional Skills Partnerships and showcase examples from the Lombardy Region and the European Chemical Regions Network.
- By Rodolphe Doité
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.
- By Lucy Hammond
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.
- By Ewa Chomicz
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.
- By Lucy Hammond
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.
- By Ewa Chomicz
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.