The aim of Science meets regions (SMR) is to boost a culture of evidence-informed policymaking at local and regional level. In the wake of the annual “Science meets Parliaments” event, launched in 2015, the European Parliament adopted the Pilot Project “Science meets Parliaments/Science meets Regions” in 2017. The JRC implemented this project in 2018-2020, in close collaboration with the Committee of the Regions. Its final report concluded that there is a need for a more structural and permanent instrument that supports strengthening and broadening the capacity-building process.

It is this gap that the Preparatory Action “advancing evidence for policy at local and regional level”, adopted by the European Parliament in December 2020, aims to address. It will focus on the subnational level, with cities and regions as main target audience.

OBJECTIVES OF THE EVENT

• To gather the participants and foster online networking to share experiences and challenges in preparing their events/innovation camps, and create links between similar topics;
• To inform participants on the background and aims of the project in more detail, and to present relevant related projects within JRC;
• To provide introductory training on some aspects of SMR events, in particular:
  • Innovation Camp methodology;
  • Citizen engagement practices.

PROGRAMME

9.15 Welcome and introduction – Sabine Henzler, Director of Directorate A ‘Strategy, Work Programme and Resources’, JRC

9.25 Presentation of JRC mission and activities – Emanuela Bellan, Head of Unit A.3 ‘Interinstitutional, International Relations & Outreach’, JRC

9.40 Science meets Regions: history, perspectives, and success stories – Stijn Verleyen, Policy officer, JRC

9.55 Presentation of related European Commission projects

• The Knowledge Exchange Platform – Magda de Carli, Head of Unit A.1 ‘European Semester & Country Intelligence’, DG RTD

• JRC activities on ecosystems of Science for Policy – Kristian Krieger, Policy officer, Unit H.1 ‘Knowledge for Policy’)

10.15 Coffee break

10.25 Return to plenary – Explanations on networking part 1

10.30 Networking part 1: What do you define as impact for your project and how can you reach it? Participants will exchange between each other, based on preferences expressed before the meeting. There will be one rotation after 30’. Each breakout group is facilitated by a JRC colleague.

11.25 Return to plenary – Explanations on networking part 2

11.30 Networking part 2: Parallel sessions on practical topics:

• • Framework contract (in presence of MCI coordinator)
  • Communication
  • How to get experts on board

12.30 Lunch Break

13.25 Return to plenary

13.30 Parallel training modules

• • Module 1: Innovation camps & other participatory methods
  • Module 2: Citizen engagement techniques

15.30 Reporting back to plenary – concluding remarks

15.45 End