On 14 October, the European Parliament will organise a high-level roundtable titled 'Unifying European R&I for Global Leadership and Competitiveness – Widening in the next Framework Programme'. This timely discussion will focus on closing the innovation gap and harvesting the experience of widening measures; addressing persistent challenges and shaping a bold vision for widening excellence and participation, ensuring complementarities and mutual support with the upcoming Competitiveness Fund.

The event will bring together a panel of EU policymakers, Member State representatives and R&I stakeholders:

Ekaterina Zaharieva, Commissioner for Start-ups, Research and Innovation

Eszter Lakos, Member of the European Parliament

Christian Ehler, Member of the European Parliament

Borys Budka, Member of the European Parliament

Ivars Ijabs, Member of the European Parliament

Giorgos Ioannides, Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Representation of the Republic of Cyprus to the EU

Andrzej Szeptycki, Undersecretary of State, Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Poland

Jean-David Malo, Acting Director, DG RTD.A ERA & Innovation, European Commission

Monica Dietl, Director, Europe Matters

Pirita Lindholm, Director, ERRIN

Ricardo Migueis, Head of Brussels Office, INESC Science and Technology

Tadas Tumėnas, Head of Lithuanian RDI Liaison Office in Brussels

Divided in two panels, thematic roundtables will explore the key questions:

• How to position the widening-type measures in the next Framework Programme and 
  in the Competitiveness Fund scheme?
• What enabling measures can be most suited to further reduce the research and 
  innovation gap, harnessing emerging new generations of young European scientists?
• How can the available funding synergies be better used to support excellent research 
  and foster inclusive research communities?

This roundtable builds on the work done by the European Parliament's Widening Task Force led by MEP Eszter Lakos, bringing together MEPs, umbrella organisations such as ERRIN, and stakeholders from Widening countries – including ERRIN members – to strengthen participation and inclusion in European R&I. The Task Force is a vital step to ensure the voices of Widening regions are heard at the policymaking table. 

This event will be a great opportunity for ERRIN members to engage with leading voices shaping Europe’s research and innovation landscape.

Please find attached the agenda and for registration click here. Please not that this event is organised by the European Parliament. 

Widening and deepening engagement is one of ERRIN's overreaching network priorities, aiming to achieve a more inclusive ecosystem approach in R&I by raising diversity in regional research and innovation activities, as well as deepening engagement where collaboration between different stakeholders needs further encouragement.