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
169 country actions in support of the New European Innovation Agenda
On 19 September 2023, the European Commission published the list of actions that Member States and Associated Countries to Horizon Europe are so far undertaking or planning to undertake in support of one or more of the five flagships of the New European Innovation Agenda, including Flagship 3 closely followed by ERRIN. 20 countries have so far reported 169 actions in total, with their scope ranging from regional, through national to European.
Management Board elections 2023 – call for nominations launched!
Every year ERRIN holds elections for the Management Board. Becoming a member of the Board offers a great opportunity to develop ERRIN further and strategically lead the network’s activities. You can put forward your candidature for this year’s elections until 5 October.
Regional Innovation Valleys: interest so far & matchmaking map
On 6 September, the European Commission published a matchmaking map showcasing European regions that have so far expressed their interest to become a Regional Innovation Valley (RIV) by applying to the call for Expression of Interest launched in March 2023. The call for EoI is still open for new submissions until 18 September 2023.
ERRIN contribution to the European roadmap for Hydrogen Valleys
The discussions around the development of the Hydrogen Valleys are gaining momentum with the European Commission's open consultation on the topic. ERRIN submitted an input paper based on its members' needs, challenges, and solutions. This paper outlines how local and regional governments address hydrogen-related challenges and recognises the importance of Hydrogen Valleys as place-based innovation ecosystems bringing together key stakeholders engaged in developing hydrogen solutions.
ERRIN Extraordinary General Meeting on 16 November 2023 – important announcement for members
All ERRIN members are invited to save the date for the ERRIN Extraordinary General Meeting, which will take place on 16 November 2023 in the ERRIN premises. The meeting is organised to make the necessary changes to the ERRIN Articles of Association and a minimum of 2/3 of the ERRIN members must be represented. Therefore, the engagement of each member is of key importance (participation is possible online for associate members).
ERRIN contribution to the CoR opinion on “The future of cohesion policy post-2027”
The discussions around the future cohesion policy framework post-2027 are gaining momentum with the CoR opinion on the topic currently under consultation. ERRIN submitted written input guided by network members' experiences, kicking off the conversation on the need to explore closer links between cohesion and research & innovation policies. More activities are in the planning.
Latest Updates
- By Ewa Chomicz
Call for Expression of Interest - 'Clusters meet Regions' workshops
The European Cluster Collaboration Platform launched a Call of Expression of Interest to select the national/regional authorities and clusters organisations to run 13 European ‘Clusters meet Regions’ workshops in the second half of 2022 and throughout 2023. The new deadline for making an application is 2 December 2022, at 18:00 CEST.
- By Lucy Hammond
Second set of calls for proposals under CEF Digital programme launched
The European Commission has launched the second set of calls for proposals under the Connecting Europe Facility Digital programme, with a budget of €277 million. The deadline to apply is 23 February 2023. One of the calls that could be of particular interest to ERRIN members is the '5G for Smart Communities'.
- By Lucy Hammond
Lubelskie region is looking for cooperation in the area of bioactive substances of natural origin
Lubelskie Voivodeship, continuing its work on regional ecosystem of life science as a part of the ELISE Interreg Europe project, is looking for partner regions to jointly apply to the Interreg Europe programme, the call for which will run from 15 March until 9 June 2023.
- By Magdalena Ujejska
Małopolska Region's search for partners - Adapting cities and regions to climate change
Małopolska Region looking for partners for a project within LIFE Subprogramme Climate Action (Adapting cities and regions to climate change).
- By Ewa Chomicz
Management Board elections 2022 – call for nominations launched!
Every year ERRIN holds elections for the Management Board. You can put forward your candidature for this year’s elections until 17 October.
- By Ewa Chomicz
REGIONS2030: Call for expression of interest - deadline extended
The European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) is inviting European regions to express their interest to contribute to the Pilot Project "REGIONS2030: Monitoring the SDGs in the EU regions - Filling the data gaps", supported by the European Parliament. The deadline for submitting an expression of interest is now extended until 10 October 2022.