Design Days is an initiative of the ERRIN Design and Creativity Working Group. ERRIN, the European Regions Research and Innovation Network, is a dynamic network of, currently, more than 120 European regions and their Brussels-based EU offices. ERRIN facilitates knowledge exchange, joint action and project partnerships between its members with the aim to strengthen their regions’ research and innov
ation capacities. ERRIN also aspires to influence EU policies in order to make them respond better to the needs of European regions and to that end engages in debate with EU institutions. The ERRIN Design and Creativity Working Group stimulates cooperation between the different Directorates General of the European Commission working on Design & Creativity, in order to raise awareness of the potentials of creativity and design in relation to creating growth and economic development. The working group facilitates project development, awareness-raising of the issues related to the role of design in innovation and regional policy and profiling the regions in relation to design at EU level. Explanation of the Design Days Initiative:
When we talk about design it’s not just the design of products, but also of services and the use of design in other areas of expertise. Design is a tool for driving innovation and for creating jobs, among other things. According to a report of the European Design Leadership Board “… Design has a role to play in business processes and metrics (such as value-adding or cost cutting). Design is considered as a sector in its own right of specialised, professional economic activity by trained and qualified practitioners and as a tool for business and organisational growth at the highest strategic level. In addition to its economic benefits, design also encompasses sustainable and responsible behaviour…”. Design is a key discipline and activity for bringing ideas to the market, as has been recognized by the Innovation Union, one of Europe 2020’s flagships. In line with this initiative, the European Commission has launched a European Design Innovation Initiative in order to raise awareness and enhance the role of design in Europe. Design Days forms a regional input to these initiatives by unifying stakeholders active in design from different regions in Europe. Moreover, Design Days adopts a cross-sectorial stance by involving not only enterprises but also representatives from the world of education and service. This multidisciplinary approach may lead to new and innovative solutions to everyday challenges, thus highlighting the role design plays today and in the future.
