About

The digital and green transitions, also known as the Twin Transition, are prominent in the EU agenda and in Smart Specialisation. This is why the sixth fulfilment criterion of Policy Objective 1 “A smarter Europe by promoting innovative and smart economic transformation” is precisely concerned with this aspect. Regions have indeed been required to have “Actions to manage industrial transitions” in their S3s, with a specific focus on the re-skilling of the workforce, adapting it to the needs of S3 and the demands of entrepreneurship.

In line with the literature on sustainability transitions, it is necessary to adopt systemic approach to industrial transitions, one that frames technology and innovation in broader societal dynamics (i.e. new business models, new forms of consumption and social organization), integrating not only the triple helix, but also the fourth helix (i.e. civil society) and finding instruments that promote experimentation and learning through failure, as well as adapting the skills of the workforce to the forthcoming needs.

Industrial transitions are at the core of several EU policies, beyond S3, for instance the Just Transitions Funds.

S3 CoP activities

The S3 CoP Working Group on Industrial Transitions started kicked off in June 2023 and pursues the following aims:

1. To collect and document knowledge and good practices in different European regions
2. To identify common needs, problems and challenges
3. To co-develop, support, deploy and monitor solutions to such challenges

The working group meets twice a year, for three years, and comprises experts from the quadruple helix.

It works towards identifying and discussing a set of implementation challenges, devising activities to address them through peer-learning and expert support directly with regions. All the outcomes will be published and elaborated to ensure that they can be of support to all EU regions.

S3 Webinar on Industrial transitions

On 22nd May 2024, the S3 Community of Practice (S3CoP) Working Group on Industrial Transition will hosted a  webinar titled Paving the Way for Industrial Transition through Systemic Change and Inclusive Strategies. This webinar is part series of webinars that the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy, with the support of the S3 Community of Practice Secretariat, is organising for S3 stakeholders from across regions in EU Member States. 

The webinar focuses on key implementation challenges identified by S3 practitioners in meeting the S3 enabling condition for industrial transition and gather stakeholder perspectives on needed S3 strategies and support actions to enhance systemic industrial transition efforts across European regions.

You can watch the webinar below.

External initiatives and publications