European Researchers? Night in Bosnia and Herzegovina 2021

Project Information

RiNG-21

Grant agreement ID: 101036103

DOI

10.3030/101036103

Project closed

EC signature date 30 April 2021

Start date 1 May 2021

End date 31 December 2021

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Total cost

€ 140 812,50

EU contribution

€ 123 200,00

Coordinated by

TIDEA DOO BANJA LUKA
Bosnia and Herzegovina

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - RiNG-21 (European Researchers? Night in Bosnia and Herzegovina 2021)

Reporting period: 2021-05-01 to 2021-12-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

2021 edition of the European Researchers’ Night in Bosnia and Herzegovina (RiNG) has celebrated science under slogan “Beyond the Horizon” while putting a strong focus on the hidden talents of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This year RiNG created an extensive programme of online activities, aiming to bring researchers closer to the general public and to shape deeper connection between research, creativity and entrepreneurship.

Overall Objectives
- To bring researchers closer to the general public and to shape deeper connection between research and entrepreneurship, through an increased awareness of research and innovation potentials in Bosnia and Herzegovina;
- To enhance researchers’ public recognition;
- To increase awareness about research results, especially regarding the daily lives of citizens;
- To stimulate interest in research careers, in particular amongst young people facing a career choice.

Specific Objectives
The project also pursued some more specific objectives, namely:
- To increase awareness about science and research in Bosnia and Herzegovina;
- To forge the connection between science and entrepreneurship;
- To illustrate the fun and fascinating aspects of research;
- To stress the societal importance of research including for citizens’ daily lives and well-being;
- To point out the importance of European support in favour of researchers and research and stressing the importance of European and international cooperation in research.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

RiNG-21 managed to achieve impressive results:
- Organised 67 different online activities, out of which 15 during the main online event, 10 online science panels, 3 science talks, 25 #BrainDate video interviews, 5 competitions (high school science project, artwork competition, best video at Science Fair, 3MT competition for PhD students, and online Treasure Hunt), 4 RiNG content streams (science fair videos, European Robotics Week activities, FutureResearch presentations of EU-funded projects, on-demand RiNG videos on Youtube), 4 interactive activities (EU quiz, InnoVoz hackathon, Ideathon, and Cool for School workshops), and the EU corner.
- Involved participants from 27 cities in BiH: Banja Luka, Bihać, Bijeljina, Bosanska Krupa, Brčko, Čapljina, East Sarajevo, Gradačac, Jablanica, Jajce, Kakanj, Konjic, Kotor Varoš, Mostar, Prijedor, Sarajevo, Srebrenica, Stolac, Tešanj, Travnik, Trebinje, Tuzla, Ugljevik, Zalužani, Zenica, Zvornik, Živinice.
- Attracted 46,079 direct attendees at live online events. Additionally, there were 781 in-person attendees, on-demand content on Youtube gathered 16,486 views while pre-recorded and partner-related content were viewed by 68,980 people.
- Involved 405 people in RiNG-21 creation, including 168 researchers in RiNG activities, out of which 5 were MSCA Fellows, and 46 through a competition for PhD students.
In conclusion, despite the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, RiNG overachieved set goals in 2021, involving participants from 27 cities (planned: 12) and being viewed by 46,079 attendees while another 781 were attending in-person (planned: 28.000). The awareness raising campaign reached at least 1,450,000 people all over Bosnia and Herzegovina (planned: 1,000,000).

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Increased awareness among the general public of the importance of research and innovation and more favourable general attitude towards its funding
- At least 1,450,000 people were reached through the communication and dissemination actions in BiH in 2021. Extensive social networking and PR campaign to utilize local media were implemented.
- Additionally, local authorities were addressed via targeted communication actions to involve into policy-level R&D strategic development and impact general attitude towards research and innovation funding.

Better understanding of the key benefits that research brings to society
- RiNG contributed to better understanding by the public of the role of researchers and the key benefits they bring to society development and impact on daily life, in particular related to its economic impact.

Reduction in the stereotypes about researchers and their profession
- RiNG further improved researchers' public recognition in terms of changing the existing stereotypes about researchers and the profession in Bosnia and Herzegovina through targeted interventions in schools, science cafés, debates and other interactive RiNG activities.

Increase, in the long term, of people taking up research careers
- RiNG provided career “market place” during the Night to increase awareness and attractiveness of career patch as researcher, in particular by the young people, stimulating choice for research careers in the long term.

RiNG21 visual in square format