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
PRI High-Level Event: “From Playbook to implementation”
The European Commission and the CoR are organising a High-Level Event of the Partnerships for Regional Innovation (PRI) “From Playbook to implementation” as a bridge between smart specialisation and other EU policies to promote innovation-driven territorial transformation. The event will take place on 28 March 2023 in Brussels. Participation is possible in person and online.
Upscaling and Upskilling! Breaking down the barriers for a green transition
The County Mayor of Vestland and Governing Mayor of Bergen City Council extend their invitation to the event “Upscaling and Upskilling! Breaking Down the Barriers to a Green Transition”, followed by a networking reception on 20 March at Norway House in Brussels.
ERRIN Intro Coffee
The ERRIN Secretariat is pleased to invite you to the upcoming 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 network members and colleagues, but all interested members are welcome to participate. Join us in person at ERRIN on 15 March!
Smart Specialisation WG meeting: Steering PRI – expectations and future directions
The Partnerships for Regional Innovation (PRI) Pilot Action was launched by the JRC and CoR in May 2022 as an initiative building on the smart specialisation strategies. As we approach a key moment for defining PRI's future, this S3 WG meeting will allow all ERRIN members who are involved in or interested in the Pilot to hear from and engage in discussion on the future of the initiative with European institutions, as well as involved ERRIN regions.
Register to Be.CULTOUR 1st Webinar on Circular cultural tourism: the role of Heritage Innovation Networks for co-creation and communities’ empowerment
This Be.Cultour webinar will address methodologies and tools for stakeholders’ engagement, serious gaming and co-creation, explaining how to bring together expert and local knowledge to let “hidden” cultural resources emerge and be recognised and fully exploited as a driver of local development, communities’ empowerment and innovative entrepreneurship through circular cultural tourism.
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.
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
The JRC publishes "Innovation for place-based transformations. ACTIONbook, practices and tools"
The Joint Research Centre, in collaboration with the European Committee of the Regions, has published the "Innovation for place-based transformations. ACTIONbook, practices and tools". The ACTIONbook builds upon the PRI Playbook and PRI Pilot experience to help address complex challenges.
ERRIN welcomes new network Chairs
The ERRIN Management Board has appointed three co-chairs to the network. The three postholders will work together as a troika to guide the network in a collaborative manner in the period of 2024-2025.
Exploring Synergies between European Partnerships and EU Missions – Mutual Learning Event
ERRIN and the TRAMI project are organising a Mutual Learning Event aiming to explore synergies between European Partnerships and EU Missions. The event will take place on Wednesday 7 February from 9:00 to 12:00 (CET) at the NCBR Brussels Office, Rue Belliard 40, Brussels.
Regional innovation highlighted in Council conclusions on R&I
On 8 December, the Council of the EU approved conclusions on strengthening the role and impact of research and innovation in policymaking – a priority file for the Spanish Presidency of the Council. A stronger role for local and regional innovation to strengthen competitive R&I is featured in the conclusions as one of the three mutually complementary dimensions.
ERRIN end of year reception - 2023 Highlights
On 7 December, ERRIN celebrated the network’s achievements in 2023. Following an engaging meeting with leaders of our 15 Working Groups, all ERRIN members were invited to a cocktail reception featuring a keynote from Markus Schulte, Head of Cabinet of Iliana Ivanova, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth. Check out ERRIN 2023 highlights in a 3-minute video.
S3 Forum completed!
The S3 Forum – the first EU-level, in-person gathering on S3 since 2020 – took place on 28-29 November in Barcelona. ERRIN Secretariat joined the event alongside many network members and hundreds of S3 practitioners and experts from across Europe. The days were packed with discussions around perspectives for smart specialisation and interregional collaboration on innovation.
Latest Updates
- By Hilary Webb
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.
- By Agnieszka Wieczorek Jetha
ERRIN Spring Annual General Meeting 2021
Welcome to ERRIN Spring Annual General Meeting 2021! Taking place on 22 June just before the EU R&I Days, it will provide a great opportunity to exchange on the role and contribution of regional and local research and innovation ecosystems in the EU. The Spring AGM will also be a very special occasion as this year marks 20 years of ERRIN.
- By Heidi Johansson
Smart Specialisation WG meeting: New opportunities for interregional collaboration in 2021 – 2027
We are happy to welcome you to the first Smart Specialisation WG meeting for 2021 which will focus on S3 and interregional collaboration. The meeting will take place on 17 May between 14:00-15:30.
- By Hilary Webb
The European Regions for Smart Communities Summit
Under the scope of the Portuguese Presidency of the European Council, ERRIN member Alentejo is one of the organisers of an upcoming summit of local and regional communities sharing a common vision for a smarter tomorrow.
- By Agnieszka Wieczorek Jetha
Smart Specialisation for the Recovery Workshop
This event aims to deepen our understanding as to how Smart Specialisation can be an effective tool to help territories recover from the current pandemic-induced crisis and discover new opportunities for more sustainable and inclusive economies.
- By Bogdan Chelariu
EU Industry at the crossroads of Covid-19 pandemic, Green Growth and digital transformation
An open conversation about the EU Industry at the crossroads of Covid-19 pandemic, endless trade wars, industrial revival in Europe, world regions competitors, internationalisation vs nationalisation, green & digital transition and workforce.