Call for expression of interest: advancing evidence-informed policy at regional and local level through co-creation and networking
The Science meets Regions programme is an initiative aiming to “advance evidence for policy at local and regional level”, which was adopted by the European Parliament in December 2020, and is implemented by the Commission’s Joint Research Centre in close consultation with the Committee of the Regions.
Until September 17, 2021, regions and cities in the EU, either by themselves or as part of a network, can express their interest to organise:
- Innovation camps and participatory events, focusing on policy topics related to the six broad priorities of the current Commission, particularly on the Green and Digital Transitions and Recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic; or
- Networking initiatives on issues of common concern, in order to boost interregional collaboration;
The Science meets Regions programme is an initiative aiming to “advance evidence for policy at local and regional level”, which was adopted by the European Parliament in December 2020, and is implemented by the Commission’s Joint Research Centre in close consultation with the Committee of the Regions.
The selected participants can receive financial, methodological and scientific support under the scheme.
The financial support for the organisation of the event(s) includes preparation, logistics, communication and facilitation.
JRC has extensive experience with co-creative processes, including for citizens’ engagement and participatory and deliberative democracy, and our experts will have regular coaching meetings with participants on setting up and implementing the process, including the preparation of the events, and the protocols for citizens’ engagement.
As regards the scientific support, Science meets Regions fundamentally revolves around underpinning local and regional policies with the best available scientific evidence, either sourced locally or (inter)nationally.
JRC is committed to providing scientific advice and support where the topics of the events are aligned with JRC expertise or through financing of small-scale studies by relevant scientific institutions.
All details about the modalities to apply and criteria of selection, as well as the link to the application form, are available on the website of the initiative.