The EU-funded projects European Citizen Science (ECS) and IMPETUS and the European Research Executive Agency (REA) are the organisers of this cluster event.

The event will focus on the impact of public engagement on evidence-based policy-making and will bring together researchers and policy makers to discuss this topic. Furthermore the event:

• will provide a platform to showcase successful and innovative citizen engagement strategies, while reinforcing the value of “Bringing science closer to citizens” within the European Research Area.
• EU-funded research projects will present their citizen science and public engagement experience and share best practices.
• The winners of the EU Prize for Citizen Science (2025 call) will be announced. The Prize rewards outstanding citizen science initiatives that address social, political, cultural, and environmental challenges through the involvement of citizens. 

All information, including registration forms for online participation and EoI for onsite participation, are available in the announcement on the REA website.

Programme

The event takes place in Brussels. Three parts of the programme will also be webstreamed. 

• 08:30 - 09:00 Welcome and Registration
• 09:00 - 09:10 Introduction
• 09:10 - 09:20 Icebreaker
• 09:20 - 09:50 Keynote: Public Engagement in the ERA by Michael ARENTOFT, Head of Unit at DG Research and Innovation, Open Science and Research Infrastructures (webstreamed)
• 09:50 - 10:50 Roundtable: Policy Recommendations for Future Frameworks - ECS, REINFORCING, COALESCE and IMPETUS representatives and Georgios PAPANAGNOU, Policy Officer at DG Research and Innovation, Open Science and Research Infrastructures (webstreamed)
• 10:50 - 11:10 Coffee break
• 11:10 - 12:15 Project pitches - thematic focus #1
• 12:15 - 13:30 Networking lunch + project showcase
• 13:30 - 13:40 Short talk from Scivil about satellite event Citizen Science Fair (18 June 2025)
• 13:40 - 14:30 Project pitches - thematic focus #2
• 14:30 - 15:15 Taking stock and looking forward (FP10) - fishbowl session led by European Citizen Science Association
• 15:15 - 15:30 Coffee Break
• 15:30 - 16:30 Winners Announcement: EU Citizen Science Prize by REA Director, Marc TACHELET (webstreamed)
• 16:30 - 17:30 Wrap-Up, Closing Remarks and Reception by Minna WILKKI, Head of Department Future Society at REA

About citizen science and public engagement

Citizen science and public engagement in scientific research activities contribute to a vibrant society. Horizon Europe promotes co-creation and co-design through the engagement of citizens and civil society. This has the potential to improve the excellence and impact of research, and to deepen the relationship - and trust - between science and our societies.