Periodic Reporting for period 1 - MAIA (Maximising impact and accessibility of european climate research)
Reporting period: 2022-09-01 to 2024-02-29
MAIA aims to maximize the impact of EU-funded climate research projects by promoting collaboration and dissemination. It leverages ongoing projects to create synergies, improve knowledge accessibility, and accelerate the exploitation of climate resilience knowledge. Specific objectives include connecting communities, knowledge, and research, providing business support, and promoting solution uptake. Through five impact pathways, i.e. 1) Contributing towards better coordination of EU climate change R&I projects, 2) Maximizing the impact of EU climate research through active outreach, 3) Towards the valorisation and exploitation of results of EU-funded climate change research, 4) Towards establishing active dialogue practices that strengthen the science-policy and science-civil society interfaces on climate change research, 5) Building a sustainable Network of climate knowledge platforms and EU Portal on climate change research; MAIA targets better coordination, increased outreach, valorisation of research results, enhanced dialogue, and the creation of a sustainable network of climate knowledge platforms. Overall, MAIA seeks to amplify the societal, economic, and scientific impact of European climate research efforts.
During the initial 18-month period, the MAIA project made significant progress in various technical and scientific domains across its work packages (WP). WP1 focused on identifying and characterizing climate change stakeholders in the EU, resulting in the creation of a comprehensive stakeholder list and engagement strategy. In WP2, efforts were directed towards collating knowledge structures, utilizing generative AI technology, and developing the Connectivity Hub, which integrates taxonomies used in different EU-funded projects and visualizes datasets. WP3 concentrated on understanding the needs of target groups, i.e. EU-funded projects, solution developers, and managers; and developing a reshaped Marketplace concept. WP4 focused on bridging policy and science through dialogues and roundtables, while also playing a key role in strategic planning and organizing future events. WP5 concentrated on branding, marketing strategies, and content development across social media platforms aimed at engaging diverse audiences. WP6 efforts centred on mapping research projects, establishing the first Thematic Working Groups, and conducting outreach. WP7 managed project and consortium coordination, transitioning to internal strategic planning.
In its first half, the MAIA project has achieved significant results across various work packages (WPs), including the compilation of a Stakeholder Dataset and a Database of Projects and Organizations, providing essential resources for collaboration and knowledge exchange. Additionally, the establishment of the EU Climate Change Research Cluster, comprising 12 identified Themes and several Thematic Working Groups under development, is promoting synergy among research outcomes and fostering alignment with EU research objectives. The 12 Themes include: Carbon Budget; Knowledge platforms; Integration of Adaptation and Mitigation; Behavioural change; Regions; Finance; International cooperation; Communication; Impact Challenge Groups; Climate services; Sustainable Food Systems; Energy Transition. Through initiatives like the MAIA Multiply program and the MAIA platform roadmap, communication efforts have been enhanced, fostering networking opportunities and effectively disseminating project developments. Furthermore, exchanges such as Policy Roundtables and Policy-Science/Policy-civil society dialogues have contributed to strengthening the science-policy interface, while the development of the MAIA taxonomy and ontology supports knowledge discovery and enhances connectivity. The Next-Generation Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Portal, augmented with AI knowledge digesting services, has been established with the envisioned result of disseminating project materials and promoting sustainability. Finally, the consolidation of the developed MAIA resources into the Catalogue of Tools & Services represents a significant outcome that ensures wider accessibility and utilization beyond the project's duration, reflecting MAIA's commitment to advancing EU climate change research and policy priorities.