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
Smart Specialisation for SDGs: A reflection framework for strengthening sustainability dimension in S3
The JRC is organising an e-Talk on 28 April to present key findings from its paper discussing theoretical and conceptual implications of embedding the sustainability challenges and SDGs in the Smart Specialisation approach. A revised reflection and self-assessment framework developed together with practitioners will also be introduced.
Webinar on the Pilot Call on Partnerships for Regional Innovation (PRI)
On 20 April 2022 at 12:00-13:00 CEST, the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission and the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) are hosting an interactive webinar on the Pilot Call on Partnerships for Regional Innovation (PRI). The deadline for expressions of interest in the call is on 25 April.
CCRI information session: Call for Pilots and Fellows
On 20 April 2022 the Coordination and Support Office of the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI), managed by ERRIN, is organising a webinar on the call for expression of interest for Pilots and Fellows of the Circular Cities & Regions Initiative. During this informative session, you will receive information on the scope of the CCRI as well as on the open call for Pilots and Fellows.
'Europe, let's cooperate!' interregional cooperation forum
The 8th edition of 'Europe, let's cooperate!' interregional cooperation forum will take place online on 5 April 2022 at 09:30-16:00 CEST. The day will focus on the launch of the first call for project proposals under the Interreg Europe programme in the 2021-2027 period, which will be open from 5 April until 31 May this year.
NCP Brussels Workshop: Understanding your proposal evaluation under Horizon Europe
NCP Brussels is organising a webinar on 24 March dedicated to proposal evaluation under Horizon Europe and how to make the most of it. The webinar is open to any Brussels-based organisation interested in (re)submitting an application to Horizon Europe calls for proposals (Pillars 2 & 3 only).
Blue Platform Workshop: Aligning funding in Blue Bioeconomy
A Blue Platform workshop, 'Aligning funding in the Blue Bioeconomy - the new I3 programme as an opportunity to facilitate interregional innovation investments', will take place online on 24 March.
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
S3 Forum completed!
The S3 Forum – the first EU-level, in-person gathering on S3 since 2020 – took place on 28-29 November in Barcelona. ERRIN Secretariat joined the event alongside many network members and hundreds of S3 practitioners and experts from across Europe. The days were packed with discussions around perspectives for smart specialisation and interregional collaboration on innovation.
A look forward: Launching ERRIN reflections on regional dimension in R&I post-2027
Autumn 2023 marked the start of ERRIN’s targeted reflections on regional dimension in research and innovation in the new EU Multiannual Financial Framework post-2027, relating to the next EU Framework Programme for R&I (FP10) and future cohesion policy. We are offering a recap of our activities so far, first messages and planned next steps.
Management Board elections 2023 – results
Following the call for nominations for ERRIN Management Board held between 20 September and 5 October, we are happy to announce the nominated Management Board members. The five nominees will be approved as new Management Board members at the ERRIN Extraordinary General Meeting on 16 November.
Release of LORDIMAS, a digital maturity assessment tool for Regions and Cities
During the European Week of Regions and Cities 2023, a dedicated session was organised to launch LORDIMAS, a digital maturity assessment helping local and regional governments to understand where they are in their digital transformation journey. The tool is now accessible online.
Shape ERRIN's agenda 2024 - Annual Member Survey
In view of the annual strategy workshops that we will organise with all the Working Group (WG) and Task Force (TF) leaders in the second half of November, all members are invited to provide input on priorities, topics, and activities that should be addressed in 2024. The input can be provided by 31 October 2023.
ERRIN members showcase good practices at ICLEI B@S event on circular cultural tourism
The last edition of ICLEI’s flagship Breakfast at Sustainability’s series took place on 5 October 2023 from 10:00-12:00 CEST , in collaboration with ERRIN and as part of the Be.CULTOUR project. On this occasion, ERRIN members had the opportunity to take the stand and showcase inspiring examples of good practices demonstrating how circular approaches to tourism, human-centred destinations, and heritage-led transformations can contribute to building a sustainable future for all.
Latest Updates
- By Ewa Chomicz
Regional Innovation Valleys calls for proposal online info session
On 25 May 2023, EISMEA is organising an online info session about the two Regional Innovation Valleys calls for proposals under the European Innovation Ecosystems part of Horizon Europe and the Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument, to be launched on 17 May 2023. Insights will be shared about the policy background and the call application process.
- By Helga Aunemo
Floating Wind Days 2023
Floating Wind Days will take place on 24 and 25 May in Haugesund, Norway. Take a boat trip to see the world’s first floating turbine up close, and of course, meet, mingle and do business with the key people in the industry.
- By Loes Rutten
Partners for SMEs: Intermediaries in regional innovation ecosystems
Universities of Applied Sciences Netherlands is hosting an event on 24 May, from 10:00-13:30. In order to achieve an inclusive digital and green transition while ensuring Europe’s competitiveness, partnerships to innovate Europe’s SMEs are key to success. During this event, knowledge institutions will be brought together with public and private stakeholders, to explore how each of us can most effectively extend the EU’s support to SMEs.
- By Lucy Hammond
EU Missions creating new markets: the crucial role of the triple helix collaboration
The TRAMI project, in collaboration with ERRIN, is organising a Mutual Learning Event exploring the role of industry, academia and public authorities in achieving the objectives of the five EU Missions through triple helix collaboration. This event offers a unique opportunity for industry, public authorities and academia to discuss how to intensify collaboration and joint action toward achieving the ambitious goals defined by the EU Missions. The event will take place on 17 May from 09:00-12:00.
- By Lucy Hammond
ERA-LEARN Workshop: Synergies with Cohesion Policy Funds
ERA-LEARN is holding a webinar workshop on Synergies with Cohesion Policy Funds on 10 May from 10:00-12:30.
- By Lucy Hammond
Discovering regional innovation valleys
Lithuanian RDI Liaison Office in Brussels (LINO), the NCBR Office in Brussels – Business & Science Poland, the Slovenian Business & Research Association, the European Office of Cyprus – Brussels Office, Eötvös Loránd University and the National Research, Development, and Innovation Office in Hungary are organising a virtual event “Discovering regional innovation valleys” on 10 May from 9:30-11:15 (CEST).