Open Call for expression of interest for new S3 thematic partnerships

Interested in joining together with other regions and quadruple helix actors to explore new interregional value chains?
Find that your smart specialisation priorities are not covered in an existing partnership?

You can apply to the Call for Expression of Interest for new partnerships.

Through this call, regional authorities and/or quadruple helix actors with a mandate from their regional authority can submit an application to the Commission expressing their interest to form a new S3 partnership. To support the preparation of your application, you can consult the guidance for applicants as well as read carefully eligibility criteria and conditions.

Please note that the call is open for application until 16 June 2023. However, the application form to set up a new partnership is open continuously via the online application linked above, with a second cut-off date on 30 September 2023. This means that you can always submit an application, but this will be evaluated by the Commission only twice in 2023, by 16 June (first batch of applications) and by 30 September (second batch of applications). Evaluation results will be communicated to applicants according to this timeline.

Besides expressing interest to form a new S3 partnership, you might also consider the following opportunities:

• To join the S3 CoP pool of experts to support regions and Member States in successfully implementing S3: as an expert in sustainable blue economy, you can express your interest in joining the S3 CoP pool of experts. More information on the call for expression of interest can be found here (please note that the list of expert topics will be amended soon to include blue economy among the topics listed).
• To receive targeted support to develop or implement S3 in your region: as a regional authority, you are entitled to receive ad hoc support services, based on the principle of co-design and collaboration between the Commission (DG REGIO), the beneficiary region, the S3 CoP Secretariat, and the designated expert. More information on this service can be found here.

Finally, we would like to remind you that the S3 CoP Secretariat is available for any assistance you might need, including as regards the application processes mentioned above. The Secretariat is in charge of coordinating the S3 Community of Practice, the EU central hub on guidance, networking, support and peer-learning on S3. Should you have any questions on the partnership application process, we would invite you to seek S3 CoP Secretariat’s support at partnerships@s3-cop.eu, with DG MARE S3 (MARE-S3-SBE@ec.europa.eu) in copy of your request.

For more informations about this call, please click here!

To register for this call, please click here.