Concluding remarks

• Author: Delaney, Niamh; Tornasi, Zeno; Warin, Colombe
• Pages: 29-29

29

CONCLUDING REMARKS

Since 2014, t he p rojects funded under ‘Science with and for Society’ contributed to its

primary aims set out in the EU Regulation establishing Horizon 2020, notably to

effectively build cooperation between science and society, recruit new talent for science

and pair scientific excellence with social awareness and responsibility. 32

Engaging citizens is a priority across the European Commission and a key component

of Horizon Europe. Missions, constituted u nder Horizon Europe, provide a uni que

opportunity to test and refine me chanisms for consulting and engaging with citizens. Use

of citizens’ engagement for the definition and impl ementation of mi ssions under Horizon

Europe is crucial. Effective citizen engagement involves th ree stages of intervention:

communication and awareness raising; co-design and co-creation; and co-

implementation.

Toolkits and guidelines produced by SwafS funded projects will be useful resources to

effectively implement these missions. In the near future, the EU-Citi zen.Science platform

will serve as the reference point for tools and guidelines, promising p ractices and

training modules on citizen science. The COVID-19 pan demic, which came to the fore in

March 2020 with Member States going into lockdown, resulting in citizens across the EU

being obliged to stay at home, there was an imminent need for effective online tools.

Many Sw afS projects adopted contingency measures including moving from physical to

virtual events and online activities.

Networking is key to ensure that projects learn from each other and build on existing

know-how. DG Research and Innovat ion and the REA organise thematic cluster events to

promote networki ng between projects and encourage sharing of best practices. Liaising

with other SwafS projects was formally encou raged in the 2018-2020 work programme

which foresees the inclusion of ‘additional dissemination obligations’ requiring consortia

to share their strategies and methodologies from the outset with a view to reaping the

full benefits of synergies. This grant condition was a key element in efforts to build a

knowledge and collaboration ecosystem. Project co-ordinators demonstrated strong

willingness to work together.

International cooperation is one of the priorities of Commissioner Gabriel. SwafS

projects have embraced international cooperation and involve partners from around the

world.

Inclusiveness on al l levels underpins SwafS. We need science education for all, gender

equality in our organisations, ethi cs and integrity embedded in research, communication

we can trust, open science and ulti mately place citizens at the core to ensure excellent

Research and Innovation to tackle the challenges of today for a better future.

32 Regulation (EU) No 1291/2013 of the European Parliament and of th e Council establishing Horizon 2020