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  • Conferences and summits

Cluster event: Advancing Public Engagement and Citizen Science in the ERA

The event will celebrate citizen science and showcase the value of public engagement, highlighting best practices, guiding future policy, sharing knowledge and building collaboration. The 2025 EU Citizen Science Prize winners will also be announced!

Discover the winners of the EU 2025 Prize for Citizen Science

Discover the 27 Honorary Mentions

Watch the event

 

REA is proud to co-host a cluster event which will gather researchers and policymakers to discuss the impact of public engagement on evidence-based policymaking.  

In addition, 

  • The event will provide a platform to showcase successful and innovative citizen engagement strategies, while reinforcing the value of “Bringing science closer to citizens” within the European Research Area.
  • EU-funded research projects will present their citizen science and public engagement experience and share best practices.
  • The winners of the EU Prize for Citizen Science will be announced. The Prize rewards outstanding citizen science initiatives that address social, political, cultural, and environmental challenges through the involvement of citizens. 

The full event will take place in Brussels. Those connected online will be able to follow the plenary session (in the morning) and the winners' announcement (in the afternoon).

The event is co-organised by REA and EU-funded projects IMPETUS and ECS.

Agenda

  • innovation | research
  • Thursday 19 June 2025, 09:00 - 17:30 (CEST)
  • Belgium

Practical information

When
Thursday 19 June 2025, 09:00 - 17:30 (CEST)
Where
REA, Boulevard Simon Bolivar 34, 1000 Brussels
Belgium
Languages
English

Description

Advancing Public Engagement and Citizen Science in the European Research Area
© European Union, 2025; image source: great_bergens, stock.adobe.com
About citizen science and public engagement

Citizen science and public engagement in scientific research activities contribute to a vibrant society. Horizon Europe promotes co-creation and co-design through the engagement of citizens and civil society. This has the potential to improve the excellence and impact of research, and to deepen the relationship - and trust - between science and our societies.

Agenda

Day 1  I Wednesday, 18 June I Satelite Event by ECS & Scivil and Institute of Natural Sciences

10:30 - 17:00 'Citizen Science Fair 2025: A celebration of Citizen Science'

Venue: Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Science in Brussels, Belgium

Explore inspiring citizen science projects and meet the people behind science! This free outdoor event celebrates how everyday actions can lead to extraordinary discoveries.

 

Day 2 (Main Event) I Thursday, 19 June, 08:30 – 17:30 

DRAFT AGENDA

08:30 – 09:00 Welcome and Registration

09:00 – 09:10 Introduction by REA Director, Marc TACHELET

09:10 - 09:20 Icebreaker

09:20 - 09:50 Keynote: Public Engagement in the ERA by Jean-David MALO, Acting Director at DG Research and Innovation, European Research Area & Innovation (webstreamed)

09:50 - 10:50 Roundtable: Policy Recommendations for Future Frameworks, moderated by Marzia MAZZONETTO 

Carolina DORAN (ECS), Angela SIMONE (REINFORCING), Joana MAGALHAES (COALESCE), Alexandra ALBERT (IMPETUS) and Georgios PAPANAGNOU, (DG Research and Innovation)

10:50 - 11:10 Coffee break

11:10 - 12:15 Project pitches #1: R&I and Policy Impact

Joana MAGALHAES (COALESCE); Alessia SMANIOTTO (COESO); Catarina PYDZINSKA AZEVEDO (CROPS); Muki HAKLAY (DITOs); François GREY (EU ALBATROSS); Roberto PAPA (INCREASE); James SPRINKS (MICS); Rafaella LENOIR IMPROTA (ScienceUs); Kris VANHERLE (WeCount); Dilek FRAISL (Contribution of citizen science to SDG monitoring)

12:15 – 13:30 Networking lunch & project showcase

13:30 - 13:40 Recap from Citizen Science Fair by SCIVIL

13:40 - 14:30 Project pitches #2: Societal and Institutional Impact

Gefion THUERMER (ACTION); Ana BELÉN CRISTOBAL LOPEZ (AURORA); Annemie WYCKMANS (CrAFt); Josep PERELLÓ (CoAct); Jame PIERA (COS4Cloud); Stefanie SCHÜRZ (Critical Making); Liza WOLFAHRT (FRANCIS); Annalaura VANNUCCINI (HuMUS); Aina LANDSVERK HAGEN (YouCount/YouHope)

14:30 - 15:45 Fishbowl session: Taking stock and looking forward (web-streamed), moderated by Carolina DORAN (European Citizen Science Association)

15:15 - 15:30 Coffee Break

15:45 – 16:45 Winners Announcement: EU Citizen Science Prize 2025 (web-streamed), co-hosted by Marc TACHELET (REA Director), Minna WILKKI (Head of Department; REA.C), Gefion THUERMER (IMPETUS), Vanessa HANNESSCHLÄGER (IMPETUS)

16:45 – 17:00 Wrap-Up & Closing Remarks and Reception by Minna WILKKI, Head of Department Future Society at REA

17:00 18:00 Reception (Atrium, 1st floor)