Project description
Supporting agricultural research
The Standing Committee on Agricultural Research (SCAR) is a coordination and advisory body on European agricultural and bioeconomy research. It is supported in these strategic functions by SCAR Working Groups, including a Foresight Group, which provides domain-specific expert advice and input. The EU-funded RefreSCAR project will strengthen the strategic functioning and capacities of those groups to improve coordination among R&I programmes. To do so, the team will develop a toolkit of measures and provide robust scientific support, as well as practical administrative help, to enable a better-structured organisation. Moreover, they will boost the participation of under-represented countries, immerse a broader audience of stakeholders in the activities of the groups and help to build a bridge between R&I, policy and practice.
Objective
The Standing Committee on Agricultural Research (SCAR) is a long-standing committee of EU Member States and Associated Countries presided over by the European Commission. It has become a respected source of advice on European agricultural and wider bioeconomy research and has been a catalyst for the coordination of national research and innovation (R&I) programmes. It is supported in these strategic functions by SCAR Working Groups (WGs), including a Foresight Group, which provide domain-specific expert advice and input. RefreSCAR will strengthen the strategic functioning and capacities of SCAR WGs in order to facilitate the improved coordination of national and European bioeconomy R&I programmes. Through a toolkit of measures, RefreSCAR will provide robust scientific support to SCAR WGs through regular portfolio analysis of projects, expert studies and support for the SCAR Foresight process. Combined with practical administrative support, this will enable a better structured organisation, facilitation and reporting of SCAR WG activities in themes of relevance for Horizon Europe, the Common Agricultural Policy, European Green Deal, Digital Europe and the Farm to Fork and Biodiversity Strategies. In order to boost the participation of under-represented countries in SCAR WGs, a SCAR-Engage Programme will be developed involving tailored action plans, financial and peer-to-peer support, networking and knowledge exchange. Targeted support for communication and dissemination will immerse a broad audience of stakeholders in the activities of the WGs. Furthermore, RefreSCAR will cultivate connections between SCAR WGs, key actors in EU policy, practitioners and relevant EU and international initiatives through dedicated fora, helping to build a bridge between R&I, policy and practice. The outcome will be more impactful SCAR WGs that are better resourced and empowered to deliver strategic advice, contributing to a strengthened SCAR within the European Research Area.
Programme(s)
Call for proposal
(opens in new window) HORIZON-CL6-2021-GOVERNANCE-01
See other projects for this callFunding Scheme
HORIZON-CSA - HORIZON Coordination and Support ActionsCoordinator
R93 Carlow
Ireland