Enhancing trust in science through citizen participation, engagement and science communication

ERA Structural Policy 10 in the ERA Policy Agenda (2025-2027)

This Structural Policy presents a multifaceted approach, with a view to enhancing trust in science and by extension democratic governance - building on the achievements of Action 14 ‘Bringing Science Closer to Citizens’ of the ERA Policy Agenda 2022-2024.

Objectives

• Boost public engagement in R&I, citizen science and science communication through commonly developed guidelines;
• develop more effective mechanisms for substantial, inclusive public engagement in R&I;
• strengthen science-society links at national/regional/local level;
• increase scientific literacy and science capital through closer links between the scientific community and young people, and with people not habitually involved in science.

Expected outcomes

• Inclusive engagement guiding principles: develop common approaches for public engagement in R&I and science communication;
• activities connecting researchers and young people: innovative ways of effectively and inclusively engaging and involving young people with science, by inviting practitioners to provide best national practices and build on the work to develop handbooks and guidelines under EU funded projects;
• connect science and citizens, organise activities connecting and strengthening local R&I communities with different stakeholders and citizens around the topic of science and its role in society;
• mutual learning exercise on trust in science, consolidating and sharing knowledge on how to build, measure and enhance trust through public engagement;
• a mechanism and funding scheme designed to scale up best practices of national citizen participation and engagement initiatives to EU level.

Background information

The first ERA Policy Agenda (2022-2024) focused on scaling up the project "Plastic Pirates - Go Europe" as part of the ERA action “Bring Science closer to Citizens” for the period 2022-2024.

To support the exchange of best practices and draw lessons for the launch of future citizen science approaches, a Mutual Learning Exercise (MLE) on “Citizen Science initiatives – Policy and Practice” under the ERA Policy Support Facility was launched.

Another aspect supported by the ERA Action was the launch of the "European City of Science" in 2022 during the "European Year of Youth".

For more information:

Horizon Europe support for citizen engagement | European Research Area Platform