Working Group Leaders
Representatives of Brussels-based offices leading the work of Blue Growth Working Group.
Blue Economy
The Working Group focuses on the blue economy, covering research, innovation and policy initiatives in marine, maritime and water systems with the intention to support members´ activities within these fields. Sustainability, economic development, climate adaptation and digital challenges related to the ocean, seas and water sectors are key issues for the Working Group. The group aims to foster participation in European funding programmes and initiatives and to build partnerships between members.
ERRIN Contact
Future Related ERRIN Working Group Meetings
Policy WG meeting: From territories to Europe: Place-based innovation in the next MFF
The Preparatory Action on Innovation for Place-based Transformation launched last year, helps territories maximise their innovation potential through awareness raising, capacity building
Previous Related ERRIN Working Group Meetings
The EU Missions and the mission-oriented approach in the next MFF
With the Horizon Europe (FP10) and European Competitiveness Fund (ECF) proposals currently under discussion at the European Parliament and the Council, ERRIN will hold a meeting focusing on the
From Policy to Practice: Regions at the Heart of Europe’s Bioeconomy and Biotech Innovation
ERRIN’s Bioeconomy Working Group is organising an in-person meeting on 16 April 2026 at 10:00 to discuss the updated EU Bioeconomy Strategy and its implications for regional and local authorities.
Skills for Competitiveness: how to address skills shortages in Europe’s regions?
Skills for competitivenessOne of the objectives of the European Competitiveness Fund is to address critical skills shortages to all kinds of quality jobs in strategic sectors, through both horizontal
WG Related Events
Annual I3 Instrument Forum 2026 - save the date
Save the date for the Annual I3 Instrument Forum 2026, which will take place this year on 1 October in Brussels, bringing together the I3 community to showcase project results, strengthen interregional value chains and discuss the future of the Instrument within Cohesion Policy. Registrations will open in spring 2026.
Bioeconomy and Competitiveness Days: Challenges and Opportunities for Europe
The Government of Navarra, in cooperation with Sodena and ACR+ is organising the Bioeconomy and Competitiveness Days: Challenges and Opportunities for Europe event on 17-18 June in Pamplona, Spain.
Territories in Action: a sneak peek into transformative innovation
Around 200 territories are currently participating and working side by side with the JRC to implement an EU Preparatory Action "Innovation for place-based transformation" supported by the European Parliament, and with ERRIN as one of the facilitators. On 2 June from 15:00-17:00 CEST, the results will be presented from territories in the experimentation journeys, alongside first-hand experiences to prove the power of supporting place-based transformative innovation. Following the event is possible online.
Green Week Side event - Fighting PFAS pollution: how can local and regional authorities support the green transition of their industries and local economy?
On the morning of the 2nd of June, the EU Offices of Cities Northern Netherlands and Lyon Metropole organise an event on PFAS pollution, in the context of European Green Week. The event will especially look at the collaboration between local and regional authorities and companies.
Towards a Blue MFF: ERRIN in the SBEP High-Level Workshop at European Maritime Day 2026
SBEP will host a high-level workshop at European Maritime Day 2026 on how the next MFF can better support Europe's ocean ambitions, with a focus on embedding ocean priorities in National and Regional Partnership Plans and aligning FP10 and ECF with the European Ocean Pact. ERRIN will be represented by Søren Heinecke (co-leader of the Blue Economy Working Group), bringing the regional perspective to discussions on NRPPs and Ocean Pact implementation.
Policy WG meeting: From territories to Europe: Place-based innovation in the next MFF
After one year of practical implementation of the Preparatory Action on Innovation for Place-based Transformation, this event will aim to create a space for reflection on the experiences gathered so far across participating territories, discuss what has been learned, and how these lessons can inform future policy design. It will explore how place-based transformative innovation can be integrated in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and its programme architecture. The meeting will take place on Wednesday 3 June from 10:00-12:00 in person at the ERRIN premises.
WG Documents
New report: Circular Cities and Regions Pilot Solutions: Insights, impacts, and replication paths
From 2023 until 2025, the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative has supported 12 European cities and regions to test what it really takes to turn circular economy ambition into practical, local and systemic solutions. Their examples in developing Circular Systemic Solutions (CSS) across various sectors and focus priorities form the foundation of this booklet. This compilation brings together the insights and solutions developed through the CCRI Pilot programme between January 2023 and October 2025. It highlights not only what the Pilots achieved, but how they did it: the partnerships they…
ERRIN’s 10 key messages towards the next Multiannual Financial Framework
At this pivotal time for Europe, with the Commission's proposals for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10) getting closer, European Regions Research and Innovation Network (ERRIN) is pleased to provide inputs on how the EU can create the right conditions for R&I to thrive for a competitive Europe post-2027. Drawing our comprehensive paper series 'Towards the 10th Framework Programme', with insights gathered from the 120 regional ecosystems that ERRIN brings together, ERRIN has put together 10 key messages on the…
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.
ERRIN input to the Ocean and Waters Mission Implementation Charter
The Blue Economy Working Group has prepared an input to the Ocean and Waters Mission Implementation Charter, which has been submitted to the Mission Secretariat.
ERRIN input paper on a future EU Algae Strategy
ERRIN's input paper on a potential EU Algae Strategy, highlighting the challenges and opportunities of such a strategy at a regional and local level.
ERRIN input to the future EU Algae Strategy - Draft
A drafting group has prepared a first version of the ERRIN input to the future EU Algae Strategy.
WG Related Content
RIVCircular Cascade funding: Interregional innovation projects in circular economy
RIVCircular, Regional Innovation Valleys project with several ERRIN members involved as partners, has launched a cascade funding call supporting Interregional innovation projects in circular economy. Deadline for application is 17 September 2026.
Forests for Resilient Waters: an exchange on the regional perspective
On 23 April, the Oslo Region EU Office brought together policymakers, researchers, and regional practitioners to explore the role of forests in protecting and restoring Europe's water cycle. Organised by the Halden River Basin Sub-District with the EFI Bioregions Facility, the European Forest Institute, ERRIN, the Oslo Region European Office, and Østfold fylkeskommune, the event placed regional voices at the centre of an increasingly urgent debate.
Partner search for HORIZON-MISS-2026-03-OCEAN-02
KIMO, an international network of coastal municipalities, is seeking partners or to join a consortium for the HORIZON-MISS-2026-03-OCEAN-02, offering access to 78 coastal municipalities as real-life testbeds for nature-positive solutions. KIMO brings strong co-design with local authorities, citizen engagement, and high replication potential across European coastal regions.
Blue Skills: The European Water Academy and EMFAF Blue Careers
The article presents the European Water Academy (EUWA) - a platform offering training, capacity building, and technology transfer to water professionals - and the 2023 EMFAF Blue Careers Call, which funded projects on ocean literacy and sustainable maritime economy among other topics. ERRIN's new Skills Talks series offers a complementary avenue for regional exchange on skills development, with future editions expected to cover water resilience-related themes.
LIFE Calls for proposals 2026 now open
On 22 April, the EU LIFE programme officially launched its 2026 calls for proposals. All calls are now available on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal, as well as on ERRIN’s Project Development Tool. The submission deadlines for most calls fall on 16 or 22 September 2026.
Partner Search: LIFE project to demonstrate and replicate the sustainable management drinking water utilities with advanced inspection solutions
PIPEWISE is a project proposed under the LIFE 2026 – Circular Economy and Zero Pollution programme, aimed at improving the sustainability, resilience, and efficiency of large European drinking water networks. The project builds on ACWA Robotics’ non‑intrusive, in‑service inspection technology for large‑diameter pipelines (DN ≥ 300 mm), enabling structural inspections without service interruption.
Latest Updates
- By Gianpiero Petruzziello
RIVCircular Cascade funding: Interregional innovation projects in circular economy
RIVCircular, Regional Innovation Valleys project with several ERRIN members involved as partners, has launched a cascade funding call supporting Interregional innovation projects in circular economy. Deadline for application is 17 September 2026.
- By Ana Nava
Forests for Resilient Waters: an exchange on the regional perspective
On 23 April, the Oslo Region EU Office brought together policymakers, researchers, and regional practitioners to explore the role of forests in protecting and restoring Europe's water cycle. Organised by the Halden River Basin Sub-District with the EFI Bioregions Facility, the European Forest Institute, ERRIN, the Oslo Region European Office, and Østfold fylkeskommune, the event placed regional voices at the centre of an increasingly urgent debate.
- By Josephine Tybjerg Sørensen
Partner search for HORIZON-MISS-2026-03-OCEAN-02
KIMO, an international network of coastal municipalities, is seeking partners or to join a consortium for the HORIZON-MISS-2026-03-OCEAN-02, offering access to 78 coastal municipalities as real-life testbeds for nature-positive solutions. KIMO brings strong co-design with local authorities, citizen engagement, and high replication potential across European coastal regions.
- By Ana Nava
Blue Skills: The European Water Academy and EMFAF Blue Careers
The article presents the European Water Academy (EUWA) - a platform offering training, capacity building, and technology transfer to water professionals - and the 2023 EMFAF Blue Careers Call, which funded projects on ocean literacy and sustainable maritime economy among other topics. ERRIN's new Skills Talks series offers a complementary avenue for regional exchange on skills development, with future editions expected to cover water resilience-related themes.
- By Gianpiero Petruzziello
LIFE Calls for proposals 2026 now open
On 22 April, the EU LIFE programme officially launched its 2026 calls for proposals. All calls are now available on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal, as well as on ERRIN’s Project Development Tool. The submission deadlines for most calls fall on 16 or 22 September 2026.
- By Capucine Seguin
Partner Search: LIFE project to demonstrate and replicate the sustainable management drinking water utilities with advanced inspection solutions
PIPEWISE is a project proposed under the LIFE 2026 – Circular Economy and Zero Pollution programme, aimed at improving the sustainability, resilience, and efficiency of large European drinking water networks. The project builds on ACWA Robotics’ non‑intrusive, in‑service inspection technology for large‑diameter pipelines (DN ≥ 300 mm), enabling structural inspections without service interruption.