Introduction

REINFORCING supports organizations and institutions in Europe to transition to a new paradigm where responsibility and openness drive research and innovation processes. In order to make the green and digital transitions fair and inclusive, institutions and territories need to shift to more open and transparent R&I practices in which all actors share responsibility to develop services and products that are acceptable, sustainable and bring social satisfaction.

The Open and Responsible Research and Innovation (ORRI) approach promotes collaborative efforts. From sharing research outputs as early as possible to engaging citizens in co-creation processes, R&I should be open to the whole society.

Implementing ORRI can seem a daunting task. Over the past decade, many resources and tools have been created, but an effort to systematize, curate and create a single entry-point was still missing. REINFORCING is this much-needed European central hub for Open and Responsible R&I. The project’s platform is the entry point to knowledge, training, ORRI skills match-making and capacity building for organizations interested in starting or continuing their journey to creating an inclusive R&I ecosystem. Furthermore, the project brokers unique networking opportunities for organizations, institutions and territories interested in becoming part of the European ecosystem that is transforming the R&I system by bringing it closer to society and societal needs.

To support this change, REINFORCING has ring-fenced funding for 96 grants to invite institutions from around Europe to develop projects aiming at implementing new modes of doing R&I that drive more just transitions.

Scope

This open call aims to support organisations and territories active in contributing to European Missions by engaging relevant stakeholders, including citizens, in R&I processes and policies connected to one of the EU Missions. Consortia applying for this open call should be able to demonstrate that they are active in one of the EU Missions described below.

European Missions are part of the European Union's Horizon Europe program, designed to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing our world. These missions aim to deliver concrete results by 2030, focusing on areas crucial for the future well-being of Europe and the planet. The five main missions are:

1. Adaptation to Climate Change: Aiming to support at least 150 European regions and communities to become climate resilient by 2030, through tailored solutions and transformative strategies.
2. Cancer: Seeking to improve the lives of more than 3 million people by 2030 through better prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and support systems, as well as reducing inequalities in cancer care across Europe.
3. Restore our Ocean and Waters: Focused on restoring the health of oceans, seas, and waters by combating pollution, promoting sustainable blue economy practices, and protecting biodiversity by 2030.
4. Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities: Aiming to create 100 climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030, serving as hubs for experimentation and innovation for other cities to follow.
5. Soil Health and Food: Striving to ensure that at least 75% of soils in the EU are healthy for food, people, nature, and climate by 2030, emphasizing sustainable farming and land management practices.

Multi-stakeholder engagement, including citizens, is a cornerstone of the European Missions, reflecting a commitment to democracy, inclusivity, and collective action in addressing major societal challenges. The European Union recognizes that involving citizens directly in the design, implementation, and evaluation of the Missions not only enhances their effectiveness but also fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility among the public. By actively engaging different stakeholders and societal actors, including citizens, the EU Missions aim to harness diverse perspectives, ensure transparency, and build trust, ultimately leading to more sustainable and impactful solutions.

Specific challenges

Three specific challenges to be addressed have been identified for this Incubator Open Call:

1. Lack of knowledge and experience in multi-stakeholder engagement presents a significant hurdle in the successful execution of EU Missions. Not many research organisations and innovation actors, as well as territories, are familiar with or see the value of including multi-stakeholder perspectives in planning, implementing and evaluating complex R&I-based journeys like Mission actions.
2. Identifying, engaging and mobilising different stakeholders for EU Missions is a complex challenge due to the diverse and multifaceted nature of these initiatives. Nevertheless, it is necessary to work with the right stakeholders on common solutions to achieve the EU Missions.
3. Ensuring inclusion and diversity in citizen engagement for EU Missions poses significant challenges, as it requires reaching and involving a wide spectrum of individuals from different backgrounds, ages, socio-economic statuses, and geographic locations. Marginalised and underrepresented groups, often face barriers to participation.

Applicants may apply for one or more of the listed challenges or address other specific topics for which they have identified a gap in introducing multi-stakeholder engagement approaches in R&I processes in the context of the EU Missions and justify the selection in the application process.

Some examples of specific activities that can be proposed for the potential projects to be funded are included below. Please note that the list is non-exhaustive and should serve as a possible inspiration rather than a task list. Also, please note that the applicants are expected to perform different complementary activities within the year-long period of the supported project, not just one particular activity.

1. Training and capacity building on multistakeholder engagement in R&I processes in the context of the EU Missions.
2. Design and implementation of co-creation processes to develop solutions/services from R&I processes in the context of the EU Missions.
3. Citizen consultations connected to the design of policies or the co-creation of solutions related to the EU Missions.
4. Participatory identification of policy priorities linked to the EU Missions in which R&I have a relevant role.
5. Twinning activities or exchanges of best practices of multistakeholder engagement in R&I processes in the context of the EU Missions.
6. Future scenario or visioning workshops with multi-stakeholders, including citizens, which are functional to R&I processes and/or policies in the context of the EU Missions.
7. Design and execution of engagement strategies in R&I processes and/or policies in the context of the EU Missions, which are accessible and inclusive, fostering an environment where all voices are heard and valued.