ERA Forum: Reflections on the First ERA Policy Agenda and a sneak peek into the next one

On 7 February 2025, the ERA Forum celebrated the conclusion of the first ERA Policy Agenda 2022-2024 at its 28th meeting. The ERA Forum also provided insights into the forthcoming ERA Policy Agenda 2025-2027.

The interservice consultation on the European Commission’s proposal for the next ERA Policy Agenda 2025-2027 was completed during the first week of February. The proposal is expected to be published in late February or early March. According to the proposal, the new ERA Policy Agenda is likely to include 19 elements: 8 ERA Actions and 11 Structural Policies. The outcome of the co-creation process in the ERA Forum had foreseen 23 elements. Four of these 23 topics will not be included in the new ERA Policy Agenda for different reasons: Freedom of Scientific Research, Fundamental Research and Scientific Leadership in Europe, Greening Research, and R&I Foresight.

Discussion and finalisation of some actions of the ERA policy Agenda 2022-2024

The ERA Forum discussed and finalised some actions of the ERA Policy Agenda 2022-2024. The action on Research Careers was highlighted for significant progress, including initiatives such as an MLE, the development of a competence framework, and the launch of the ERA Talent Platform. Some doubts remain about how these policies will translate into tangible changes in institutions on the ground like universities. The work on research careers will be continued as a Structural Policy in the next ERA Policy Agenda. Then the development of codes of practice for Knowledge Valorisation were presented, with a survey planned for 2025 to assess the uptake of the new codes. This area will also continue as a Structural Policy in the next ERA Policy Agenda.

The ERA4Work initiative, which produced a study on the future of work, will not be continued as an ERA Action in the next ERA Policy Agenda. Instead, a cooperation is envisaged, and Member States are invited to participate in this topic. Another presentation highlighted a forthcoming report on technology infrastructures, set to be published on 14 February 2025. The report assesses various aspects, from user needs to access barriers, and will serve as advisory input for the Commission. Questions were asked about potential cooperation and synergies between research and technology infrastructures. This was followed by a presentation on the outcomes of the Mutual Learning Exercise on Public Engagement in R&I. Their final dissemination event in Brussels is planned for the 1 April 2025. The results will feed into the future ERA Action on Trust in Science.

Projects like ERA Hubs and ERA Fabric, aimed at fostering cross-country regional cooperation in research and innovation, will not continue in the next ERA Policy Agenda. However, a final event for ERA Hubs, ERA Fabric, and COOPERATE is scheduled for 5 June 2025.

The last part of the ERA Forum included a celebratory networking event for ERA Action owners, Inspiring ERA colleagues, and ERA Forum members. This event marked the conclusion of the first ERA Policy Agenda and set the stage for future collaboration.

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