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
Postponed: Smart Specialisation WG Meeting: State of play with Component 5
The first Smart Specialisation WG meeting for 2020 will take place on 19th March between 9:30-12:00 at the Helsinki EU Office, located on Rue Guimard 7, 1040 Brussels.
Smart Specialisation for Sustainable Development Goals
A two-day workshop this March aims to share practical experiences in applying S3 as a methodology to reach the SDGs through the implementation of localised, place-based, innovation-driven strategies in member states, regions and cities.
SEDEC - Stakeholders' consultation on "Regional Innovation Scoreboard and its impact in regional place-based policies"
The European Committee of the Regions is drafting an opinion on "Regional Innovation Scoreboard and its impact on regional place-based policies". In view of this, ERRIN members are invited to provide input and discuss the issues at hand during a stakeholder consultation.
Northern Netherlands in Transition Working Conference
The decision by the Dutch government to stop extracting natural gas from the Groningen gas field will have major economic implications for the Northern Netherlands. To tackle these
Smart Regions Conference 3.0: Transformation through Smart specialisation
On 14-15 November in Brussels a third edition of Smart Regions conference will take place. During the event the achievements of the current financial period 2014-20 and key directions for smart specialisation as a tool for an effective economic transformation in 2021-27 will be presented by the E
Digital Europe and Future Role of DIHs/S3
We are honoured to invite you to the conference Digital Europe and Future Role of DIHs/S3 organized by the Smart-Space project funded through Interreg Alpine Space Programme. The conference will:
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
EU Missions: The European Commission publishes its first mid-term review
On 19 July, the European Commission (EC) published a Communication on the assessment of the EU Missions after two years of implementation. The EC details the Missions' successes but also recognises the need to address challenges related to governance, budget, citizens and private sector engagement. The EC also proposes to add a sixth Mission on the New European Bauhaus.
Regional Innovation Scoreboard 2023 published
On 6 July, the Commission released the newest bi-annual Regional Innovation Scoreboard (RIS). The RIS allows for a closer examination of the innovation performance within European regions and the new edition is to be taken as a reference for consortium eligibility in the current Regional Innovation Valleys call for proposals under Horizon Europe. The 2023 edition of the European Innovation Scoreboard (EIS) was also published.
ERRIN Spring AGM 2023 – taking stock of the EU Missions
ERRIN’s Spring Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2023 took place on 22 June this year. As always, it brought together the large and dynamic community of member regions and cities. Following the format part with the update from the network, the main focus was the EU Missions, approached in two policy debates, on the support and implementation frameworks in Adaptation, Ocean and Waters and Soil Missions, and the governance innovation and the perspective on Cities and the Cancer Missions.
Plenary Meeting of the S3 European Hydrogen Valleys Partnership and call for input
On 20 June 2023, ERRIN participated in the Plenary Meeting of the S3 European Hydrogen Valleys Partnership, hosted in the House of the Dutch Provinces in Brussels. In this context, ERRIN with its Energy & Climate Working Group is in the process of producing an input paper building on the work of the S3 Partnership on Hydrogen Valleys and collecting ERRIN’s members’ needs, challenges and solutions.
Local Digital Twins toolbox project launches survey
The European Commission has recently launched a project to “Co-design the Local Digital Twins (LDT) toolbox technical specifications for advancing the transformation of Smart Communities”. To support the design process, they have launched a survey to gather insights. The deadline for the survey is 30 June at 23:59 CEST.
Implementing co-funded action plans for connected regional innovation valleys - Heat networks
Implementing co-funded action plans for connected regional innovation valleys – Decarbonising Heat & Cooling, with proposed focus on next generation heating & cooling networks
Latest Updates
- By Ewa Chomicz
Policy WG meeting: Looking ahead: Horizon 2025-2027, EU Missions & FP10
The upcoming ERRIN Policy Working Group meeting on 19 October will focus on Horizon Europe strategic planning for 2025-2027, taking stock of EU Missions and preparations to FP10. A European Commission representative will join the event to present the latest insights and discuss with members. We will also explore how ERRIN could best contribute to the ongoing work.
- By Rebecca Timm
EWRC 2023 workshop - Rethinking the post-industrial transition in cities and regions
Are you interested to know more about how local and regional authorities can play a vital role in the post-industrial transition? Join us – the Capital Cities and Regions Network (CCRN) – during the European Week of Regions and Cities 2023 on Wednesday 11th of October!
- By Chiara Rossetto
SynEnergy: Regions enabling the European Green Industrial Transformation
As part of the European Week of Regions and Cities, the event 'SynEnergy: Regions enabling the European Green Industrial Transformation' will be held on 11 October from 11:30 to 12:30. The workshop highlights the role of Regions in deploying hydrogen and solar projects and initiatives. Industrial conversion is a crucial driver for sustainable growth to more competitive and resource-efficient energy ecosystems for local industries facing transformational change.
- By Silke Antos
EURegionsWeek 2023 - Automotive regions: a just and sustainable transition to reinforce ecosystems and harness talent
We cordially invite you to our workshop on Tuesday, 10th October addressing “Automotive regions: a just and sustainable transition to reinforce ecosystems and harness talent” as an integral part of the official programme of the 21st European Week of Regions and Cities.
- By Ewa Chomicz
Next Generation Innovators Summit
The Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union in collaboration with the European Commission organises a high-level conference to reflect on the New European Innovation Agenda, and to discuss the challenges faced by public and private actors concerning deep-tech innovation and its contribution to the twin and digital transitions. The event will take place on 10 October 2023 in Madrid.
- By Rodolphe Doité
Innovation and Investment WG meeting: Exchange with the President of the EIC Board, Michiel Scheffer
ERRIN’s Innovation and Investment Working Group organised a meeting with EIC President of the Board, Michiel Scheffer on 9 October 2023.