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
Building a Hydrogen Economy in Scotland and Germany
Scotland House Brussels is organising a series of events focussing on ‘the road to COP 26'. The months leading to COP 26 in Glasgow are critical for galvanising global ambition and building consensus on the approach needed to tackle the global climate emergency, to deliver a Green Recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and to rapidly and fairly transform our societies and economies. The second webinar of our series, in collaboration with Scotland House Berlin and Hydrogen Europe will focus on the role hydrogen will play in delivering Scotland’s, Germany’s and the EU’s net zero ambitions.
Industry 4.0 - a key element for a green transition
The session will present challenges and obstacles that the industry is facing in the field of the green transition and explore possible solutions and new paths of collaborations between R&I and industry 4.0, that could support the decarbonisation.
Conference on H2 skills for sustainable industries
The European Hydrogen Valleys S3 Partnership (which includes 3 ERRIN members among its coordinators: Aragon, Auvergne Rhône Alpes and Normandie) will organise a webinar dedicated to H2 skills for sustainable industries, during the next edition of the EU Industry Days.
Health data for innovation - opportunities and societal challenges
SAPHIRe presents an interactive workshop on health data for innovation. The session will discuss how the smart specialisation agenda can leverage regional healthcare innovation to improve citizens' lives.
Annual Strategy Workshops - co-designing priorities and activities for 2021
To start planning the activities in the WGs for 2021, the WG leaders will meet according to the clusters to discuss the policy context, project development, and possible topics for the year ahead. All members are warmly invited to provide input in advance.
EWRC session: Interregional Innovation Investments
By bringing quadruple helix stakeholders together and stimulating key actors of the interregional innovation ecosystems, the intention of the workshop is to animate the debate on how to use public money to de-risk cooperation, accelerate innovation and unlock private investments.
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
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.
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.
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.
EU R&I community providing support for Ukrainian researchers
In the context of the Russian aggression against Ukraine and the ongoing war, members of the EU R&I community are mobilising efforts to support Ukrainian researchers. To engage and inspire, ERRIN members are encouraged to share information about their regional activities and initiatives in support of Ukraine's R&I ecosystem on the ERRIN website, using the tag ‘Solidarity with Ukraine’.
Building on S3: PRI Pilot Action and call for expressions of interest
CoR and JRC propose Partnerships for Regional Innovation (PRI), previously referred to as S4, as a complementary approach building on positive experiences with smart specialisation strategies (S3). A call for expressions of interest from regions, groups of regions and Member States to participate in the CoR-JRC PRI Pilot Action is now open until 25 April 2022.
VIA University College seeks consortium for Erasmus+ Teacher Academies
As one of six university colleges in Denmark, VIA University College educates e.g. teachers, pre-school and early childhood learning specialists, nurses, social workers, engineers and designers and offer education programmes in 11 cities of the Central Denmark Region. VIA also has seven research and development centres including centres and programs developing and researching digital learning, sustainability and inclusion. VIA is searching for partners to build an Erasmus+ Teacher Academy.
Latest Updates
- By Rodolphe Doité
ICT WG Meeting - Digital and cybersecurity skills
The next ICT WG meeting on 15 November will be an opportunity to discuss and exchange good practices regarding digital and cybersecurity skills with representatives from the European Commission and different initiatives implemented in the field.
- By Ewa Chomicz
Annual Research Conference 2023
The Annual Research Conference 2023 will be held on 13-15 November in Brussels. The fully hybrid event is the European Commission’s flagship research forum bringing together leading researchers working on economic policy design at European and national levels. ERRIN Director Pirita Lindholm will speak in a session on Institutions and Innovation on 15 November.
- By Ewa Chomicz
Smart Specialisation WG meeting: Interregional collaboration instruments to boost innovation: taking stock & next steps
Within the complex landscape of interregional collaboration instruments, this S3 WG meeting will focus on selected four: Thematic S3 Partnerships, I3 Instrument, PRI and RIVs. The aim is to facilitate potential engagement of interested ERRIN members by taking stock and systematising understanding, opportunities and next steps of each initiative. Practical experiences as well as hands-on insights including encountered challenges and benefits, will also be shared. The event will take place on 9 November from 10:15-12:00 in person at ERRIN premises, with welcome coffee from 10:00.
- By Rodolphe Doité
Living-in.EU: Monitoring and Measuring Subgroup meeting #3 - Presentation of LORDIMAS
The Monitoring and Measuring subgroup of Living-in.EU is organising its third meeting in 2023 on 27 October 2023, from 10:30 to 12:00 (CEST). LORDIMAS, a digital maturity assessment, will be presented to Living-in.EU signatories and other interested cities and regions.
- By Adrianna Frankowska
Sustainable Economy in Horizon Europe: International matchmaking & networking (INSE)
On October 25-26, 2023, the second edition of Sustainable Economy in Horizon Europe: International matchmaking&networking (INSE) will take place in Warsaw. Sustainable Economy in Horizon Europe is a unique opportunity to establish direct contacts between scientists/researchers and entrepreneurs.
- By Ewa Chomicz
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 20 October!