Wales Institute of Social and Economic Research and Data (WISERD) and Welsh Higher Education Brussels (WHEB) are holding an event focused on the role of civil society in building a strong, dynamic and cohesive Europe. The workshop will be held on 25 January at Wales House, Brussels.

In June 2024, members of the European Council will meet to agree the Strategic Agenda for the European Union for 2024-29, that will aim to safeguard a “strong, dynamic, competitive and cohesive Europe in a changing world”. In the declaration from an initial meeting in Granada, Spain, in October 2023, the Council stated that, “we will anticipate potential challenges and seize the opportunities for our Union in the green and digital transitions, in order to ensure the sustainability of our economic model, leaving no one behind”.

In this event, researchers from the WISERD Civil Society Research Centre will make the case for putting civil society at the heart of this agenda, setting out ideas for how civil society organisations and activists can contribute towards these objectives, and how they can be supported in doing so. The contributions will focus on building resilient and inclusive economies, enhancing social cohesion, and managing the digital transition.

The short presentations will draw on research projects funded by the UK Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and Horizon 2020, including:

• Case studies on the Foundational Economy in Amsterdam, Zagreb and the UK;
• Analysis of EU policy documents and civil society commentaries on Artificial Intelligence;
• Research with Gypsy, Roma and Traveller organisations in Czechia, England and Wales;
• Comparison on UNICEF frameworks for child-friendly cities in France, England and the USA;
• Quantitative analysis of territorial inequalities across Europe and qualitative research on civil society responses;
• Case studies of civil society action to counter polarisation in Ireland and Wales;
• Research on worker representation and trade union activism in garment industry supply chains in India;
• Innovative work with communities using hyper-local data in Wales.

These WISERD projects have involved researchers at five universities in Wales (Aberystwyth, Bangor, Cardiff, Swansea, and South Wales) and with partners in the rest of the UK, Europe and globally.

The full programme for the event is attached.

Please register here.

The 7th edition of the Results from the Road Transport Research Conference (RTR Conference) is scheduled to take place from 5 to 7 February 2024 at BluePoint, in Brussels.

Co-organised by the European Commission, the Cooperative, Connected and Automated Mobility Association (CCAM Association), the European Green Vehicles Initiative Association for the 2Zero partnership (EGVIAfor2Zero) and the European Road Transport Research Advisory Council (ERTRAC), the RTR Conference 2024 will continue the tradition of highlighting the outcomes of EU-funded road transport research projects.

Representatives from selected research and innovation projects shaping the future of road transport will present their achievements and outline the remaining activities needed to make the broader EU transport policy a reality.

Further details can be found in the draft programme, and registrations are now open here.

The 2024 edition of the Connecting Europe Days, Europe’s mobility flagship event, will take place on 2-5 April at the Square in Brussels.

Co-organised by the European Commission and the upcoming Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU, the Connecting Europe Days will convene politicians, financial institutions, industry representatives, transport stakeholders and EU institutions to discuss tangible measures and share best practices for creating a decarbonised, resilient, seamless and digital transport and mobility network in Europe. It will assess progress toward the ambitious goals outlined in the EU Green Deal and the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to explore cutting-edge through an exhibition showcasing EU-funded projects.

For further details and registration, visit the website here.

The second Annual Forum of the Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters will take place on 5 March 2024 in Brussels.

The primary objective of this event is to assess the Mission’s progress and major achievements in mobilising relevant stakeholders towards key Mission objectives. It will lay the groundwork for the next phase of the Mission, moving from demonstration to deployment.

A matchmaking event for Charter signatories is set to take place on 4 March, providing an opportunity for networking with EU Mission projects, philanthropists, and Charter signatories.

More details on how to register for the Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030 Annual Forum will be published here.

Complementing the Mission Forum, an event focused on outlining the future priorities for Europe's Seas is planned for 6 March 2024. This will be followed by the BlueInvest Day on 7 March 2024 and the Ocean Literacy in Action on 8 March 2024. Registration is available here.

The European project SHIELD4CROWD, which aims to catalogue technological solutions to improve the protection of public spaces against security threats associated with crowd management, with a view to sharing them with public and private authorities and European public purchasers, is launching a call for manifestation of interest in order to gather inputs from technology suppliers.

It is aimed at European manufacturers and technology suppliers who can respond to one of the following security threats: coordinated attacks; threats linked to drones and CBRN weapons; panic situations during a major event; threats linked to overcrowded areas; threats linked to unplanned incidents; threats linked to stabbing weapons/firearms/explosives; public panic situations in everyday life; unattended objects.

The call is open until 20 January 2023 at 17:00. The catalogue of solutions selected under the SHIELD4CROWD call for expressions of interest will make the proposed solutions visible at the European level to authorities and potential public purchasers.

Further information is available here.

The Poznań University of Life Sciences is looking for partners for Marie Skłodowska-Curie Staff Exchange 2023 "Microplastic in Soil and Plants" (HORIZON-MSCA-2023-SE-01). 

The Poznań University of Life Sciences is a leading Polish scientific and academic center in the field of life sciences and agricultural and forestry sciences as well as related disciplines, and highly valued in Central and Eastern Europe. The University is a multi-disciplinary source of innovation, expert knowledge, and solutions presenting a high implementation potential. It is a ke y scientific partner for businesses in agriculture, forestry, the agri-food industry, branches related to the quality of life and ecology, promoting sustainable social development, nature conservation, and health-promoting nutrition.

See YouTube brief about University

To express interest, please contact: monika.jakubus@up.poznan.pl

On 8 December, the Council of the EU approved conclusions on strengthening the role and impact of research and innovation in policymaking – a priority file for the Spanish Presidency of the Council whose term will finish at the end of the year. A stronger role for local and regional innovation to strengthen competitive R&I is featured in the conclusions as one of the three mutually complementary dimensions. The other two areas include the contribution of science to reinforce policymaking; and the policy impact of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) on the design of R&I policies in the European Research Area (ERA).

The document underlines that the regional dimension should be strengthened in innovation ecosystems, and facilitated through cross-border cooperation (especially between less and more innovative Member States and regions). Among other things, it also argues that policies to support ecosystems should be designed to create synergies between cohesion policy and R&I funds.

ERRIN is pleased to see mentions of Regional Innovation Valleys and Partnerships for Regional Innovation in the document as examples of initiatives aiming to facilitate cross-border collaboration between less and more innovative regions. Noting the potential of cooperation between different governance levels and the need for increasing coordination between R&I and other relevant policies is also welcome.

Find the official press release here and the full text of Council conclusions on the role of R&I in policymaking here.

The approval of the Council conclusions on R&I coincided on 8 December with the publication of the official programme of the Belgian Presidency of the Council which will kick off in January 2024. Main priorities in the field of R&I include open strategic autonomy; research valorisation; connecting science, industry, policy, and society better, to enhance trust and engagement in science and address key societal and environmental challenges; and following up on the European Framework Programme for R&I.

CEITEC MUNI PhD School is welcoming new students to embark on a transformative journey in Brno. They are specifically seeking candidates for a PhD program in the fields of life sciences and molecular medicine.

🔬 Fields of Interest:

• Life Sciences
• Molecular Medicine

📆 Applications Accepted: December 1, 2023 - February 28, 2024

🎓 Ideal Candidates:

CEITEC MUNI PhD School are particularly interested in students from natural sciences, medical, and pharmaceutical faculties. If you have a keen interest in advancing your knowledge and contributing to cutting-edge research, this is the opportunity for you.

🌍 Why CEITEC MUNI PhD School?

• World-class research facilities
• Diverse and collaborative academic community
• Exciting projects in life sciences and molecular medicine

📧 For more details or to express your interest, feel free to reach out to:

Halina Jílková, Communications Lead, CEITEC MUNI

tel: +420 602 410 751

e-mail: halina.jilkova@ceitec.muni.cz

web: www.ceitec.eu

CEITEC MUNI PhD School are eager to connect with individuals who are ready to make a meaningful impact in the world of science. Join us at CEITEC MUNI PhD School and be part of a community dedicated to pushing the boundaries of knowledge.

🔗 Learn more: 

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• Linkedin

The European Commission’s annual flagship research and innovation event brings together policymakers, researchers, entrepreneurs, and the public to debate and shape the future of research and innovation in Europe and beyond.

This fifth edition of the event will take place on 20 and 21 March 2024, both physically in Brussels and online, allowing everyone to get involved from anywhere.

The R&I Days 2024 will give you the opportunity to debate how we can make Europe more sustainable and competitive and will celebrate the outcomes and achievements in research and innovation since the launch of the first R&I Framework Programme over 40 years ago.

It’s your chance to discover successful EU-funded research and innovation projects, experience their impact on our society and debate the importance of continued investment in research and innovation. You can find out more on Horizon Europe, including the Strategic Plan 2025 – 2027 and its Widening Instrument; R&I support to Green and Digital transition; its Global Approach; and many other topics.

More information can be found here.