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 2024 - save the date!
Save the date for the Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3) Conference 2024, which 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.
UAS4EUROPE and ERRIN Horizon Europe Proposal Workshop
ERRIN and UAS4EUROPE are co-organising a Horizon Europe Proposal Workshop on 6-7 November 2024 in Brussels. This capacity building workshop will be a great opportunity for participants to unlock the potential of Horizon Europe’s Pillar 2.
EUREKA 2024: Fair of culture and creativity - Friuli Venezia Giulia
Eureka 2024 is designed for the enterprises that want to boost their competitiveness and for all the culture and innovation enthusiasts. Take your unique opportunity to meet the cultural and creative industry leaders and engage in two days of exposition, B2B meetings, workshops and conferences. The event will take place in Pordenone, on 29-30 October.
EURegionsWeek political workshop: Navigating smart and sustainable growth in cities and regions
Are you interested in learning more about how cities and regions navigate smart and sustainable growth? Join the Capital Cities and Regions Network (CCRN) during the European Week of Regions and Cities 2024. The event will take place in Brussels on 10 October, 09:30 - 11:00.
Living-in.EU Digital Assembly 2024 at the European Week of Regions and Cities
During the European Week of Regions and Cities 2024, the Living-in.EU movement will organise its second EU Digital Assembly in Brussels. This event will take place on Wednesday 9 October 2024, from 14:30 to 16:00, in the Committee of the Regions (Jacques Delors building).
How knowledge ecosystems can enhance a sustainable and eco-friendly development of European regions
This session held on 9 October 2024 from 11:30-12:30 in person in Brussels in the frame of the European Week of Regions and Cities 2024 will explore how place-based innovation and knowledge ecosystems can give a specific priority and effectively contribute to the goal of environmental sustainability and the green transition in European regions. ERRIN's Director Pirita Lindholm will join the event as speaker.
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 Partnership publishes position paper for a dedicated roadmap for Hydrogen Valleys
The European Hydrogen Valleys S3 Partnership has published a position paper "Through the Valley to the top: Why the EU needs a dedicated roadmap for Hydrogen Valleys".
ERRIN input to Horizon 2014-2027 consultation
ERRIN is pleased to share its input to the largest public consultation on the past, present and future of the Horizon programmes 2014-2027. The document is structured around four main areas based on the network’s priorities: EU Missions, European Partnerships, widening, and ecosystem approach.
ERRIN's EU Missions project mapping: express your interest
ERRIN aims to provide support to its members in developing successful proposals under the EU Missions of the Horizon Europe 2023-2024 work programme. ERRIN designed a brief survey with the upcoming EU Missions calls that may be of interest to regional and local stakeholders. Express your interest by 22 March.
Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument Work Programme 2023-2024 published
The Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument Work Programme 2023-2024 is out now. New calls will be launched in the second quarter of 2023 to address digital, green transition and smart manufacturing challenges linked to issues identified in the New European Innovation Agenda.
Usti region's proposal under i3 I3-2022-CAP2b — Capacity Building Strand 2b.
Usti region is a heavily industrialised region in the northwest part of the Czech Republic. It is facing challenges of decarbonisation, coalmines and brown coal power stations phase-out. The region could use an EC Just Transitions Mechanism for supporting new specialisation domains like hydrogen or geothermal energy as well as green chemistry (nanotechnologies). The region will be submitting a proposal under i3 I3-2022-CAP2b — Capacity Building Strand 2b.
Harnessing Talent in Europe: a new boost for EU Regions
Ensuring that regions facing a talent development trap become more resilient and attractive is crucial in the EU's commitment to leaving nobody and no place behind. For that reason, the Commission launched a new ‘Talent Booster Mechanism', supporting EU regions affected by the accelerated decline of their working age population to train, retain and attract the people, the skills and the competences needed to address the impact of the demographic transition.
Latest Updates
- By Astrid Hannes
Harnessing Talent in Europe: a new boost for EU Regions
Ensuring that regions facing a talent development trap become more resilient and attractive is crucial in the EU's commitment to leaving nobody and no place behind. For that reason, the Commission launched a new ‘Talent Booster Mechanism', supporting EU regions affected by the accelerated decline of their working age population to train, retain and attract the people, the skills and the competences needed to address the impact of the demographic transition.
- By Nathalie Alvarez
The Region of Murcia (Spain) is coordinating a proposal towards the call: HORIZON-EIE-2023-CONNECT-01-02: Preparatory action for setting up joint programmes among innovation ecosystems actors
The region of Murcia (Spain) is coordinating a proposal towards the call : HORIZON-EIE-2023-CONNECT-01-02: Preparatory action for setting up joint programmes among innovation ecosystems actors.
- By Ewa Chomicz
I3 Instrument “Capacity Building - Strand 2b” call now open
In the framework of the I3 Instrument, a new “Capacity Building in Less Developed Regions - Strand 2b” call was published in December 2022 with a deadline of 16 March 2023, 17:00 (CET). The objective of the call is to test new approaches in order to increase the capacity of regional innovation ecosystems in less developed regions participating in EU value chains.
- By Ewa Chomicz
Management Board elections 2022 – results
Between 3 and 17 October, ERRIN members could put forward their candidatures for this year’s ERRIN Management Board elections. Five new Management Board members were selected and approved at the Autumn Annual General Meeting on 8 December.
- By Lucy Hammond
Horizon Europe work programme 2023-24 adopted
The Horizon Europe work programme 2023-24 has been adopted by the European Commission.
- By Lucy Hammond
European Entrepreneurial Region (EER) Award call for applications
The 2024 edition of the European Entrepreneurial Region (EER) Award, promoted by the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), was launched during the European Commission's SME Assembly. Regions and cities that are ready to implement a future-oriented entrepreneurial strategy are invited to apply until 29 March 2023.