Dear Partners, the Southern Regional Assembly of Ireland is looking for design consultancy to develop a Regional Diaspora Knowledge and Skills Transfer Framework (DKSF) for the TALENT4S3 Interreg Europe project. The assignment covers mapping, analysis and stakeholder engagement to produce a framework that aligns with the Southern Region’s Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3) and identifies diaspora engagement opportunities to support innovation in digitalisation, the green economy and health innovation.
Why is this relevant for you ?
Universities are eligible to engage as knowledge partners or service providers under the DKSF initiative. If your institution works on diaspora engagement, migration, innovation policy, alumni networks, or Smart Specialisation priorities (digital, green, health), this is an opportunity to structure and scale that work within a regional policy framework.
Rather than isolated diaspora initiatives, the DKSF supports the development of an institutionalised knowledge-transfer mechanism aligned with regional innovation strategies. For universities already interacting with their diaspora, this provides a pathway to embed those efforts into formal regional development tools and European cooperation frameworks.
About TALENT4S3
TALENT4S3 aims to improve policy tools for the retention and attraction of skilled workers across the EU, particularly in regions facing brain drain and economic stagnation. By refining policies around Smart Specialization Strategies (S3), the project seeks to build an ecosystem supporting innovation, training, and quality employment, helping citizens stay in or relocate to areas where their skills are needed.
Eligibililty :
- Legal entities able to deliver design consultancy, project management and research services
- Experience in stakeholder mapping, diaspora engagement, and alignment with S3 priorities (digitalisation, green economy, health innovation)
Grant : 24 390 €
Duration : 4months
Deadline : 09/03/2026, 11:00 UTC
Link to the call : https://ted.europa.eu/en/notice/-/detail/92407-2026
Application process :
- Submissions must be electronic via the eTenders portal https://www.etenders.gov.ie/epps/cft/viewTenders.do?resourceId=7465535.
- Tenderers must complete the European Single Procurement Document (ESPD) to address grounds for exclusion and meet selection criteria specified in procurement documents
Contact : info@southernassembly.ie (deadline for requests for additional information is 02/03/2026 at 17:00 UTC)
Next steps :
- Identify whether your institution has ongoing work related to diaspora, alumni abroad, or S3 priority sectors.
- Clarify your potential role (policy input, research support, stakeholder mapping, pilot knowledge-transfer schemes).
- Engage early with regional authorities or project promoters to position your expertise.
- Ensure internal administrative readiness to participate in EU-funded or procurement-based assignments.
