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
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.
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.
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
New ERA Forum sub-group on ‘Access to excellence’ and funding synergies kicked off
On 7 June 2023, the first meeting of the ERA Forum sub-group ‘Access to excellence’ – ‘R&I and Cohesion Managing Authorities’ Network (RIMA) was held. The discussion focused on operationalising funding synergies, a topic covered also in the DUT & ERRIN Policy Working Group workshop on 8 June.
Partner search for Interreg Europe call on legal instruments for S3 and improving cooperation
Madrid and Northern Transylvania region (through ADR Nord-vest) are searching for partners for an Interreg Europe call. The project aims to contribute to solving some of the obstacles of R+D+i in the European Union by transforming research results into profitable innovations that generate new economies, wealth and jobs.
Two new calls for expressions of interest to boost smart specialisation strategies
The European Commission through the S3 Community of Practice (S3 CoP) has launched two new calls for expressions of interest for regions for the creation of new Thematic Smart Specialisation Partnerships (TSSPs) and for receiving targeted support assignments.
Regional Innovation Valleys calls for proposals launched!
The first Regional Innovation Valleys calls for proposals under the European Innovation Ecosystems (EIE) part of Horizon Europe and under the Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument of the ERDF were launched by the European Commission on 17 May with an overall budget of EUR 122 million. The closing date for applying is 17 October 2023.
Call to join the Commission Expert Group on the Interim Evaluation of Horizon Europe
On 15 May, the European Commission's DG RTD launched a call for applications for the Commission Expert Group on the Interim Evaluation of Horizon Europe. The group shall gather 15 highly experienced members with the aim to provide the Commission with strategic recommendations to feed into the design of the next Framework Programme 2028-2034.
The Intelligent Cities Challenge: Deadline extended until 31 May
The Intelligent Cities Challenge (ICC) is one of the European Commission's largest city support initiatives supporting European cities in their green and digital transitions. ICC delivers cutting-edge knowledge and support services to cities and their local economies to address two major challenges: making the transition to a net-zero economic model while enabling social inclusion and sustainable development for every EU citizen. The application deadline for cities has been extended to 31 May 2023.
Latest Updates
- By Hilary Webb
ERRIN contribution to call for evidence for the new European Innovation Agenda
ERRIN has submitted its messages in response to the European Commission's call for evidence for the development of the new European Innovation Agenda.
- By Teresa Vio
ERRIN is looking for a Policy and Communications Officer (deadline: 27 May)
ERRIN is looking for a Policy and Communications Officer to join its Secretariat! The successful candidate will work to support ERRIN in delivering high-quality services to members, raising the profile of ERRIN within the EU research and innovation field in Brussels, and contributing to the network's overall communication strategy. The deadline to apply is 27 May.
- By Rodolphe Doité
Call for regional examples on renewable energy projects
The Energy and Climate Working Group is looking for regional examples of renewable energy projects and challenges to be presented in its upcoming meeting, focusing on REPowerEU and Fit for 55 initiatives. The meeting will take place on the 20th of June and will be organised as an online event.
- By Hilary Webb
ERRIN messages on Horizon Europe Missions Work Programmes 2023-2024
In the context of the Horizon Europe Missions Work Programme 2023-2024 that is currently underway at the European Commission, ERRIN is pleased to share its messages on the Mission work programmes for 2023-2024 and the involvement of regional actors within the Missions.
- By Teresa Vio
ERRIN is looking for two Climate Neutral Cities Advisors (deadline: 15 May)
ERRIN is looking for two Climate Neutral Cities Advisors to join its Secretariat! The successful candidates will work to ensure the delivery of the Horizon Europe Mission on climate-neutral and smart cities by taking part in the activities of the NetZeroCities project. The deadline to apply is 15 May.
- By Hilary Webb
Consultation on brain drain - mitigating challenges associated with population decline
The European Commission is running a consultation targeted at individuals, regional authorities, academics, civil society and professional organisations on the scale and dynamics of brain drain.