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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Horizon Europe strategic plan 2025-2027 is out

On 20 March, the Commission adopted the second Horizon Europe strategic plan. The plan sets out three key strategic orientations for the EU's research and innovation funding for the last three years of the programme (2025-2027). Find out what novelties the new strategic plan brings.

Express your interest in the 3rd Interreg Europe call via the ERRIN Project Development Tool

Interreg Europe's 3rd call for proposals, launched on 20 March, supports interregional cooperation projects addressing common regional development challenges. Organisations can use the ERRIN Project Development tool to express interest and find partners. The call is open until 7 June 2024.

ERRIN at the 10th European Summit of Regions and Cities & 30th anniversary of CoR

On 18-19 March, the 10th European Summit of Regions and Cities took place in Mons, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR). ERRIN joined the summit for debates on the future of cohesion policy and promotion of the Living-in.EU movement, all while recognising the long-standing dialogue with CoR.

Systems to quantify nitrogen fluxes and uncertainties in European landscapes

Call for Partner interest under the Mission Soil calls, focusing on Systems to quantify nitrogen fluxes and uncertainties in European landscapes.

Marching towards FP10 – ERRIN activity update

As we enter March and approach the European R&I Days, several ERRIN activities planned for 2024 with a link to FP10 have already taken place, and more are on their way. Have a look at an update with the outcomes of our recent work on the next European Framework Programme for R&I, next steps and opportunities to get involved.

Open call for regions to host S3 Conference 2024

The S3 Community of Practice (S3 CoP) Secretariat, where ERRIN is a partner, opened a call to all EU regions and member states to express their interest in hosting the Smart Specialisation (S3) Conference 2024 this autumn. The event will be at the forefront of discussions on Smart Specialisation and its key role in fostering local economic development. Deadline for applications is 15 March.

Latest Updates

  • By Agnieszka Wieczorek Jetha

Now available: ERRIN priorities 2021 and Working Groups annual plans

Every year ERRIN defines workstreams to guide its work throughout the coming 12 months, closely linking to its core missions and indicating the crucial interests towards the EU R&I agenda. 

  • By Hilary Webb

European Parliament approves €672.5 billion Recovery and Resilience Facility

The European Parliament has approved the Recovery and Resiliency Facility, which aims to ensure that European economies recover from the pandemic while preparing for a sustainable and digital future.

  • By Agnieszka Wieczorek Jetha

Contribute to ERRIN session in the frame of the EU Industry Days 2021

In the frame of the EU Industry Days, a session will be organised by Business-University-Region Pro Silesia Association in collaboration with ERRIN. As part of the programme, an SME or a cluster from the ERRIN membership will have the opportunity to bring their experience to the panel.

  • By Agnieszka Wieczorek Jetha

2021 kicks off with new R&I opportunities and the 20th anniversary of ERRIN

2021 marks a start of the new EU financial period that comes with new programmes, instruments and actions. Taking full advantage of those new opportunities for regions and regional innovation ecosystems is one of our key priorities this year.

  • By Hilary Webb

Share a message to celebrate 20 years of ERRIN

The year 2021 marks the 20th anniversary of ERRIN! As we prepare to celebrate this milestone moment for the network we invite members, partners and friends of ERRIN to share a celebration message about the occasion. 

  • By Anonymous

Looking for partners for COSME call on innovation uptake and digitalisation in the tourism sector

The Department of Tourism of the Autonomous province of Trento (Trentino) is looking for partners to address the digital transformation and growth of local service providers, mainly SMEs, whose level of digital literacy is not uniform and, on average, is quite low. The first objective is to develop, test and validate useful methods to deepen digital culture in the involved SMEs, and then to spread knowledge outside the scope of the project.