The project “Support to the management of the Smart Specialisation Community of Practice” was launched to accompany the consolidation of Smart Specialisation Strategies during the 2021–2027 programming period while preparing their evolution in the context of the post-2027 EU policy framework. It responds to ongoing policy debates such as the future role of S3 within Cohesion Policy, the EU competitiveness agenda and the increasing emphasis on industrial transformation, technological sovereignty and performance-oriented delivery.

The contract aims to maximise the impact of existing S3 investments by addressing implementation gaps, strengthening governance and improving monitoring, evaluation and policy learning, while preparing the next generation of S3 strategies by incorporating implementation experience into the design of future policies, performance-based approaches, and reform-oriented funding frameworks.

The project is structured around seven core tasks, including project management, analytical support, communication and digital tools, the annual S3 Conference, capacity building and targeted technical assistance, support to thematic platforms and partnerships, and the S3 Observatory.

t33 contributes through Task 5.1, which concentrates on capacity building and mutual learning via the design and facilitation of S3 Learning Communities. Activities include peer-learning events, coordination across communities and the dissemination of practical knowledge to support S3 implementation across EU Member States and regions. The project is carried out in consortium with Prognos AG, Ecorys Europe, GAC,iO Belgium, Tipik Communication Agency.