Territories as Responsive and Accountable Networks of S3 through new Forms of Open and Responsible decision-Making

TRANSFORM aims to introduce citizen engagement practices into the governance of regional research and innovation, dealing in particular with a key territorial policy, the Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3), in three European territories: Lombardy (Italy), Catalonia (Spain), Brussels-Capital (Belgium). Under the common framework of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI), each region is piloting actions aimed at implementing open and inclusive processes that better link local research and innovation priorities to societal needs, while generating socially acceptable solutions through the involvement of quadruple helix stakeholders (business, research, civil society and public administration). Each territory follows tailored approach based on its unique regional context, taking into consideration its social, geographical, economic and environmental specificities. Three methodologies are being tested: participatory research agenda setting, citizen science and multistakeholder engagement.

The project brings together 12 partners. Each regional cluster involves a core group of partners including regional administrations engaged in the design and implementation of local S3, civil society organisations universities and companies. Citizens as well as R&I stakeholders are involved in the activities of TRANSFORM to co-design and co-create better R&I policies and processes for the common good.

MUTUAL LEARNING

To advance RRI in territories, TRANSFORM extensively promotes sharing of best practices, lessons learned, and the diffusion of responsible governance of R&I in the project's regional clusters and beyond to other regions of the EU. While focusing on their regional activities, the three TRANSFORM clusters will not only learn from each other, but also benefit from the exchange with the CC -PES initiative in Boston (USA). CC-PES is a project led by the Museum of Science in Boston (USA) and financed by the National Science Foundation (NSF), implementing community forums that encourage public engagement with science, as well as open dialogue with local community, civic and scientist partners.

What is in it for the Western Balkans?

Concrete examples of inclusive and sustainable territorial development are being tested, leading to the development of a set of reliable Policy Recommendations for transforming regional R&I ecosystems towards RRI. Strategic Roadmaps, as useful guiding tools for regional actors willing to implement RRI within S3, will be presented in autumn 2022. The project e-book will provide an overview of the project activities, results and achievements and the results will also be presented in an online webinar. 

Save the date for the TRANSFORM final confrence which will take place in Milan on 17 and 18 October, an opportunity to share results, experiences and lessons learned, and connect with practitioners from all over Europe.

 

Grant agreement ID: 872687

DOI10.3030/872687
 

Project type
  • H2020
Country of the coordinating institution
Italy
Acronym
TRANSFORM
Geographical focus
  • General/no specific focus
Scientifc field / Thematic focus
  • Cross-thematic/Interdisciplinary
  • General
Runtime
January 2020 - December 2022

Entry created by Elke Dall on June 1, 2022
Modified on June 3, 2022