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
S3 Conference: Launch of the S3 Community of Practice
The S3 Conference 2023 is the first in a series of events that DG REGIO is organising for S3 stakeholders from across regions in EU Member States. It is also the launch event for the new S3 Community of Practice, whose Secretariat is joined by ERRIN. The conference will take place online on 30 March and will be opened by Commissioner Elisa Ferreira.
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.
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
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.
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.
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 Silvia Ghiretti
EU Missions Info Days 2024
On 25 and 26 April, the European Commission is organising Info Days dedicated to the EU Missions 2024 calls for proposals. The event will provide potential applicants with information on the new topics included in the EU Missions work programme 2024 under Horizon Europe. An update on the implementation of each Mission will also be provided.
- By Ewa Chomicz
Policy WG meeting: Role of EU Missions in FP10
ERRIN has been actively working on the topic of EU Missions as one of the network's priorities. As we continue preparations towards the next European Framework Programme for R&I, the upcoming Policy Working Group meeting will focus on the role of EU Missions in FP10. The event will take place in person at the ERRIN premises on 23 April from 14:00-16:00.
- By Heidi Johansson
Co-creation and citizen engagement in EU Missions Workshop
ERRIN is supporting the REINFORCING project in organising an interactive workshop aimed at exploring the challenges and needs faced by cities and regions regarding citizen engagement within the EU Missions. The project will support organisations financially with specific training, capacity-building sessions, mentoring opportunities and peer learning. The workshop will be organised on 23 April between 11:30-13:00 at ERRIN’s office.
- By Ewa Chomicz
ERRIN Intro Coffee
The ERRIN Secretariat team is pleased to invite you to the ERRIN Intro Coffee, aiming to offer a brief, to-the-point introduction to ERRIN and its services, as well as facilitate networking between members. We especially encourage new network members and colleagues to take part, but all interested members are welcome. Join us in person at ERRIN on 19 April!
- By Ewa Chomicz
Smart Specialisation WG meeting: STEP - regional perspective
The Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) is a new common European action to support EU industry and boost investments in critical technologies in Europe. The upcoming S3 WG meeting will offer a chance to gain an understanding of STEP from a general and regional perspective. It will also facilitate mutual learning with regard to integrating STEP into national and regional cohesion policy programmes such as ERDF or ESF+. The event will be held online on 10 April from 10:00-11:30 CEST.
- By Ewa Chomicz
Territories in ACTION
Following the launch of the ACTIONbook in January 2024, the JRC and CoR are organising an event to present the publication alongside insights from several territories on their innovative place-based transformations. As the ACTIONbook builds on the experiences from the PRI Pilot Action, next steps linked to this initiative will also be shared.