On 19 June, the event will celebrate citizen science and showcase the value of public engagement, highlighting best practices, guiding future policy, sharing knowledge and building collaboration. The 2025 EU Citizen Science Prize winners will also be announced!
REA is proud to co-host a cluster event which will gather researchers and policymakers to discuss the impact of public engagement on evidence-based policymaking.
In addition,
- 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 will be announced. The Prize rewards outstanding citizen science initiatives that address social, political, cultural, and environmental challenges through the involvement of citizens.
The full event will take place in Brussels. Those connected online will be able to follow the plenary session (in the morning) and the winners' announcement (in the afternoon).
The event is co-organised by REA and EU-funded projects IMPETUS and ECS.
Full details and registration are available on the REA website.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
When: Thursday 19 June 2025, 09:00 - 17:30 (CEST)
Languages: English
DESCRIPTION
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.
Agenda
Day 1 I Wednesday, 18 June I Satelite Event by ECS & Scivil and Institute of Natural Sciences
10:30 - 17:00 'Citizen Science Fair 2025: A celebration of Citizen Science'
Venue: Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Science in Brussels, Belgium
Explore inspiring citizen science projects and meet the people behind science! This free outdoor event celebrates how everyday actions can lead to extraordinary discoveries.
Day 2 (Main Event) I Thursday, 19 June, 08:30 – 17:30
08:30 – 09:00 Welcome and Registration
09:00 – 09:10 Introduction by REA Director, Marc TACHELET
09:10 - 09:20 Icebreaker
09:20 - 09:50 Keynote: Public Engagement in the ERA by Jean-David MALO, Acting Director at DG Research and Innovation, European Research Area & Innovation (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 day 1 satellite event
13:40 - 14:30 Project pitches - thematic focus #2
14:30 - 15:15 Taking stock and looking forward - fishbowl session led by European Citizen Science Association
15:15 - 15:30 Coffee Break
15:30 – 16:30 Winners Announcement: EU Citizen Science Prize (webstreamed) by REA Director, Marc TACHELET
16:30 – 17:30 Wrap-Up, Closing Remarks and Reception by Minna WILKKI, Head of Department Future Society at REA