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

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

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

Governance structures to implement the EU Missions: check the new Mission Data Platform

A new Mission Data Platform has recently been launched by TRAMI, the EU-funded project focusing on transnational cooperation on the Mission-approach and effective implementation of the EU Missions. This tool supports and links with ERRIN's work on multi-level governance in the Cities Mission within the NetZeroCities project.

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.

Latest Updates

  • By Anonymous

Wielkopolska Region is looking for EWRC partners

Wielkopolska Region (Poland) is currently looking for potential partners to organise an event during this year's edition of European Week of Regions and Cities (10-13 October 2022). We are interested in the following thematic areas: green transition, youth empowerment and territorial cohesion.

  • By Gaia Ialisa Marotta

Call for proposal for the 10th edition of the EU Design Days

The next edition of EU Design Days will take place on 10 June in Brussels! This year the topic will be “Will beauty actually save the world? How can design contribute to the green transition and help us to achieve the goals of the EU Green Deal?”

  • By Hilary Webb

Become a partner of the 2022 EU Regions Week

The 20th edition of the European Week of Regions and Cities will take place from 10 - 13 October this year. To start preparations for the conference, applications for EU Regions Week partners are now open. 

  • By Ewa Chomicz

8th Cohesion Report: findings on regional innovation in Europe

The European Commission has published the 8th Cohesion Report: Cohesion in Europe towards 2050. According to the findings, while the Cohesion policy has, in general, helped to narrow territorial and social disparities between regions in the EU, the regional innovation divide in Europe has grown.

  • By Hilary Webb

ERRIN is looking for a Project & Communications Assistant (traineeship)

ERRIN is looking for a new trainee! The Project and Communications Assistant will have the opportunity to participate in the daily work of the organisation by carrying out communications tasks and by assisting colleagues working on projects. The deadline to apply is 14 February.

  • By Hilary Webb

Science meets Regions: second call now open

The second call for interest under the Science Meets Regions action is now open. The call concerns innovation camps and participatory events for single regions and cities and networking initiatives for consortia of regions and/or cities on issues of common concern.