The European Commission, with the support of the S3 CoP Secretariat, is organising the S3 Conference in Brussels, Belgium on 18 june 2025.
The event will join S3 practitioners, experts, policymakers, and other key stakeholders to engage in this network, to discuss the development of the Smart Specialisation policy concept and its role in promoting the economic transformation of territories and the broader EU policy objectives. Together with speakers from the European Commission, academia, managing authorities and S3 implementing bodies, the S3 Conference will be presented around four main pillars:
Latest developments on the policy concept and progress on S3 implementation
S3 Community of Practice: Overview of three years of activities
S3 and interregional collaboration: Opportunities and examples
Outlook related to policy developments and the S3 Community of Practice
The first pillar will provide reflections on relevant developments related to smart specialisation, including links to strategic policy initiatives. It will also offer an overview of S3 implementation for the 2021-2027 period, with insights drawn from the assessment of Smart Specialisation Strategies across EU countries and regions.
The second pillar will recap the first three years of activities of the S3 Community of Practice, highlighting the range of activities offered, key results and lessons learned, and the main takeaways to guide future efforts.
In the third pillar, the discussions will address S3 and interregional collaboration, exploring opportunities for interregional collaboration through dedicated instruments and support facilities. It will also present experiences from S3 Thematic Platforms and other interregional projects through a dedicated networking slot.
Finally, the fourth pillar will offer reflections on the outlook for smart specialisation policy and the S3CoP.
When: 18 June 2025
09:30 – 17:30 CET
Where: Maison du Bois, Chaussée de Wavre 950, 1040 Etterbeek, Brussels, Belgium
Hybrid Event
With Steering Committee held on the 17th of June 2025
Working Groups held on the 19th of June 2025
More info here