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
Smart Specialisation WG: I3 Project Development Session
The ERRIN Smart Specialisation Working Group is organising an I3 Project Development Session for the network’s members to gain official and practical insights from the first Interregional Innovation Investment (I3) Instrument calls’ cut-offs as well as exchange interest and pitches to build project consortiums for the next cut-off on 18 October 2022.
RIGHT (Right Skills for the Right Future) - Final event and policy seminar
Discover the future of Europe through the findings of the Interreg North Sea Region project RIGHT. The project consortium will host its final event and policy seminar in Brussels on 23 May from 10:00-12:00 CEST.
3rd ERA CoBioTech Hub Meeting
During its final ERA CoBioTech Hub Meeting, which will take place as a virtual conference on 19 May 2022, ERA CoBioTech gathers the diverse actors of the new European Partnerships and in the fields of biotechnology, bioeconomy, life sciences and other innovative technologies.
Launch of the CoR-JRC Pilot Action on Partnerships for Regional Innovation
The European Commission and the European Committee of the Regions are launching the Pilot action on Partnerships for Regional Innovation. The hybrid event will take place on the May 17th 2022.
WIRE 2022: Towards a leading Europe in breakthrough innovation: unleashing the potential of regions
This year's edition of the Week of Innovative Regions in Europe (WIRE) will take place on 11-13 May 2022 under the theme “Towards a leading Europe in breakthrough innovation: unleashing the potential of regions”. The event will be hosted by Université Paris-Saclay, France, under the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Nordic Edge Expo 2022
Nordic Edge Expo 2022, 10-11 May The 8th leading Nordic event for future cities and communities will be a physical event in the city centre of Stavanger. 10-11 May we will bring you a meeting place focusing on the topics: Urban Energy, Life Actually, On the Move and Spaces & Places. We call out to politicians, leaders, technology inventors, students, investors, start-ups, artists and citizens who wants smarter and more sustainable cities and communities.
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
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.
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.
Latest Updates
- By Ewa Chomicz
Interest mapping: Regional Innovation Valleys call for proposals under Horizon Europe
In anticipation of the launch of the “Implementing co-funded action plans for connected regional innovation valleys” HORIZON-EIE-2023-CONNECT-03-01 call for proposals on 17 May 2023, ERRIN opened a mapping of members’ interest in developing project proposals under this call, to facilitate consortium building. ERRIN members are encouraged to share their interest by filling in a short survey by 20 April.
- By Ewa Chomicz
Launch of the S3 Community of Practice & two calls to join working groups and pool of experts
On 30 March, the new Smart Specialisation Strategies Community of Practice (S3 CoP) was launched as the central knowledge and information hub for S3, with ERRIN as part of the S3 CoP Secretariat. Two calls for Expression of Interest to join the S3 CoP working groups and S3 CoP pool of experts were opened on this occasion – ERRIN members are encouraged to apply.
- By Ewa Chomicz
Call for Expression of Interest for Regional Innovation Valleys launched
In line with the New European Innovation Agenda, the European Commission has launched a call for Expression of Interest for European regions to become Regional Innovation Valleys. Furthermore, two calls for proposals under EIE part of Horizon Europe and I3 Instrument of ERDF will open on 17 May 2023. In this context, ERRIN is planning dedicated activities.
- By Francesca Pozzebon
Destination of Sustainable Cultural Tourism Awards 2023: Apply by 1 June
Applications for the Destination of Sustainable Cultural Tourism Awards 2023 are now open! The theme of the 2023 edition is “Smart Tourism – Smart Destinations: Cultural Heritage & Creativity, Digitalisation, Sustainability”. The Awards will be given to cultural tourist destinations that have produced significant results, such as enhancing the visitor experience, respecting traditions and involving local communities. The deadline for applications is 1 June 2023.
- By Rodolphe Doité
S3 Partnership publishes position paper for a dedicated roadmap for Hydrogen Valleys
The European Hydrogen Valleys S3 Partnership has published a position paper "Through the Valley to the top: Why the EU needs a dedicated roadmap for Hydrogen Valleys".
- By Francesca Pozzebon
SEFS WG call for regional examples in evidence-based policy making
The SEFS Working Group is looking for regional best practices in the field of Evidence based and evidence informed policy making. The meeting will take place on 20 April (10:00-12.00 CEST) and will be organised as an online event.