Science,
Society & Citizens
Science, Society & Citizens
Citizen engagement is vital to creating a European Research Area that is open, trusted, and aligned with societal needs. By involving citizens in co-designing agendas, co-creating research, and co-assessing results, research and innovation become more relevant, impactful, and trusted. Active engagement strengthens the quality of science, enhances accountability, and builds stronger links between research and society.
In the ERA Policy Agenda (2025–2027), citizen engagement is addressed through the structural policy “Enhancing Trust in Science through Citizen Participation, Engagement and Science Communication.” This policy focuses on developing common approaches for public engagement in R&I, scaling up successful practices from national to EU level, and delivering innovative ways to engage citizens inclusively around science and its role in society.
In the ERA Policy Agenda (2022–2024), the action “Bring Science Closer to Citizens” promoted citizen engagement through education, training, co-creation, and citizen science initiatives. The aim was to empower local communities, foster trust, and ensure that R&I results resonate with and benefit society at large.
Source: ERA Policy Platform, INSPIRING ERA
Outcomes of the ERA Policy Agenda (2022–2024)
Are you looking for tools, resources, and initiatives that connect citizens with research and innovation in Europe?
EU-Citizen.Science Platform
The European platform for sharing citizen science projects, tools, and resources.
Plastic Pirates – Go Europe!
A large-scale citizen science campaign engaging young people across 13 European countries to monitor plastic pollution in rivers and coasts. (plastic-pirates.eu)
European City for Science
Launched during the European Year of Youth, showcasing how cities can act as hubs for science, innovation, and citizen engagement. Held in Leiden, the Netherlands in 2022 and Katowice, Poland in 2024
European Researchers’ Night
Europe’s largest science outreach event, bringing science to the public in cities across the continent.
Researchers at Schools
Connecting scientists directly with classrooms to inspire curiosity and strengthen science education.
EU TalentOn
Science competition for early career researchers who work in team to creative innovative and marketable solutions supported by senior scientists and entrepreneurs.
EU Contest for Young Scientists
International science fair bringing together young scientists aged 14 to 20 who present their scientific projects to win prestigious awards.
Mutual Learning Exercises on Citizen Science and Public Engagement
Exchanges between Member States on how to build capacity and scale effective practices.
INSPIRING ERA activities
Discover key insights, event materials, and practical resources from INSPIRING ERA activities that support citizen engagement and help bring science closer to society across Europe.
- How can we effectively measure and enhance the impact of public engagement actions to unlock its full potential?
Materials from INSPIRING ERA Exchange held on 3 December 2024.
- Engaging EU Citizen in Science
Factsheet on Bringing Science Closer to Citizens.
Related EU projects and initiatives
- COALESCE – Co-creating the European Competence Centre for Science Communication
COALESCE consolidates knowledge, resources and tools, builds a Science Communication Academy, and engages diverse communities to strengthen science communication across Europe. - REINFORCING
The European Platform for Open and Responsible R&I Practices. - BEYOND – Beyond Bad Apples
BEYOND promotes a research culture that follows the highest standards of research ethics and research integrity and fosters public trust in science.
- OTTER – Learning science outside the classroom for a sustainable future
OTTER promotes learning beyond the classroom, engaging students in STEAM subjects while strengthening citizen science within the European Research Area. - European Science Engagement Association (EUSEA)
European network of public engagement professionals in the fields of research, innovation and education who share the common goal of involving societal actors in the lifecycle of knowledge creation.
