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
Future Related ERRIN Working Group Meetings
ERRIN Strategic Cluster Kick-Off Meeting: Towards A European Competitiveness Fund?
This ERRIN Strategic Cluster kick-off meeting will serve to launch the activities of the Policy, Smart Specialisation and Science & Education Working Groups in 2025. It will provide an
Previous Related ERRIN Working Group Meetings
European University Alliances and their commitment to support the connection of regional innovation ecosystems
In September 2022 the SEFS Working Group discussed with the European Commission and regional examples the relationship between the then 44 European Universities and the S3-strategies of the regions
Smart Specialisation WG meeting: Future of cohesion policy in support to R&I
With discussions around the new cohesion policy framework post-2027 in full swing, this ERRIN Smart Specialisation WG meeting will focus on how cohesion policy can support R&I. The event will
SEFS Working Group meeting: Unlocking potential, regional perspectives on knowledge valorisation
In the 2022 Council Recommendation, knowledge valorisation is referred to as the process of creating social and economic value from knowledge by linking different areas and sectors and by
WG Related Events
ERRIN Strategic Cluster Kick-Off Meeting: Towards A European Competitiveness Fund?
This ERRIN Strategic Cluster kick-off meeting will serve to launch and discuss the activities of the Policy, Smart Specialisation and Science & Education Working Groups in 2025, as well as hear about the Commission's forthcoming initiatives on competitiveness. All interested ERRIN members are invited to register to the event on 11 February from 10:00-12:00 at the ERRIN premises.
The Polish Council Presidency 2025 - Priorities and Challenges
The partner regions Wielkopolska and Hessen are organising a lunchtime event: The Polish Council Presidency 2025 – Priorities and Challenges on 23 January 2025 at 13:00 (light lunch as of 12.30) at the Multiple Regions House, 21, Rue Montoyer in Brussels.
IGLO Open on the Polish Presidency: programme and R&I priorities
The 'IGLO Open on the Polish Presidency: programme and R&I priorities' will take place on Wednesday 22 January 2025. The event, hosted by the PolSCA PAS Office in Brussels, will be held at the NCBR/BSP Office in Brussels.
S3 Conference 2024
The Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3) Conference 2024 will take place this year on 11-12 December in Rimini, Italy. The flagship event for S3 stakeholders from across regions in EU Member States is organised by DG REGIO and S3 CoP Secretariat, in partnership with Emilia-Romagna Region and with the support of the Municipality of Rimini and Palacongressi di Rimini. Livestreaming of plenary discussions will be available.
Opening up R&I Processes: Who to Engage, and How?
REINFORCING project is organising the workshop 'Opening up R&I Processes: Who to Engage, and How?". This crash course will explore strategies for aligning research and innovation (R&I) with societal needs through meaningful stakeholder engagement. This workshop provides practical tools and actionable insights to help researchers, innovators or professionals working in R&I to identify and collaborate with the right audiences, ensuring more inclusive and impactful outcomes.
PIONEER Alliance: Iuav and New Research Perspectives for European Cities
The Università Iuav di Venezia, in collaboration with the Veneto Region, is organising an event called 'PIONEER Alliance: New Perspectives for European Cities' which will take place in Brussels on December 10.
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's Autumn General Meeting 2024
On 5 December, ERRIN hosted its Autumn General Meeting, where members reflected on 2024’s accomplishments, endorsed the 2025 budget and welcomed four new Management Board members. The meeting provided a platform to celebrate achievements, discuss priorities for the year ahead, and prepare for a new EU political cycle.
Consortium is looking for partners in a project related to co-design and urban management of green modular structure under Horizon Europe programme
The consortium is looking for a project partner to cooperate with a project related to digital solutions to foster participative design, planning and management of buildings, neighbourhoods and urban districts under the Horizon Europe programme.
Management Board elections 2024 – results
Following the call for nominations for ERRIN Management Board held between 3 and 17 October, we are happy to announce the nominated Management Board members. The four nominees will be approved as new Management Board members at the ERRIN Autumn General Meeting on 5 December.
Call for expression of interest: Clusters Meet Regions
The European Cluster Collaboration Platform, on behalf of the European Commission, invites national and regional authorities, cluster organisations, and economic development agencies to apply to host one of the 10 ‘Clusters Meet Regions’ workshops planned for 2025. The next deadline for making your application is 20 December 2024.
A look back at the Week of Innovative Regions in Europe 2024
The XIII edition of the Week of Innovative Regions in Europe (WIRE) conference took place on 13-14 November 2024 in Budapest. The event focused on regions as catalysts of European RDI competitiveness and brought together over a hundred regional stakeholders from across Europe, including ERRIN, for two days of intense discussions and networking. Find out our key takeaways from the multiple topics covered.
Have Your Say on the Future of Regional Innovation Valleys
The European Commission invites all regions – whether selected as RIVs or not – to share feedback on the RIV initiative to help shape future calls and align them with regional needs. Deadline to answer the questionnaire is 15 November.
Latest Updates
- By Maria Bostrom
Have Your Say on the Future of Regional Innovation Valleys
The European Commission invites all regions – whether selected as RIVs or not – to share feedback on the RIV initiative to help shape future calls and align them with regional needs. Deadline to answer the questionnaire is 15 November.
- By Ewa Chomicz
Report of the Expert Group on the interim evaluation of Horizon Europe released
On 16 October 2024, the awaited report of the Expert Group on the interim evaluation of Horizon Europe was launched. Looking towards the future of EU research and innovation, the report outlines 12 recommendations in the spirit of its title: "Act, Align, Accelerate – Research, Technology and Innovation to boost European competitiveness".
- By Ewa Chomicz
2030CATALYSTS: Open call for EU regions to implement the SDGs
A new call for EU regions to turn the SDGs into local missions is now open. The 2030CATALYSTS project will support a maximum of 20 EU regions to enhance their approaches to SDG monitoring and implementation, and pave the way for effective, data-driven, co-created strategies. The call for expression of interest is open until 31 October 2024.
- By Ewa Chomicz
EU Preparatory Action on Innovation for Place-Based Transformation - apply by 16 December
The European Commission’s JRC has launched the EU Preparatory Action on Innovation for Place-Based Transformation, a new initiative supported by the European Parliament and designed to help territories maximise their innovation potential. The deadline to apply to participate was extended - public authorities from across the EU and Horizon Europe Associated Countries now have until 16 December to answer the call.
- By Gianpiero Petruzziello
Emerging R&I ecosystems - open 'COOPERATE' call to receive support and advice
The COOPERATE project invites emerging Research and Innovation (R&I) ecosystems to participate in its 'Call for Champions', offering an opportunity to advance your ecosystem toward becoming an ERA Hub. Through the 'Call for Champions', the COOPERATE project will support two ecosystems in enhancing collaboration, knowledge exchange and maturity as part of the European Research Area (ERA). Information webinar on 10 October, deadline to submit on 30 October.
- By Ewa Chomicz
Management Board elections 2024 – call for nominations launched!
Every year ERRIN holds elections for the Management Board. Becoming a member of the Board offers a unique opportunity to develop ERRIN further and strategically lead the network’s activities. You can put forward your candidature for this year’s elections until 17 October.