Responsible tEerritories and Institutions eNable and Foster Open Research and inClusive Innovation for traNsitions Governance

Project Information

REINFORCING

Grant agreement ID: 101094435

DOI

10.3030/101094435

EC signature date 13 December 2022

Start date 1 January 2023

End date 28 February 2027

Funded under

• Reforming and enhancing the European R&I System

Total cost

€ 5 000 082,50

EU contribution

€ 5 000 082,50

Coordinated by

FONDAZIONE GIANNINO BASSETTI ETS
Italy

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - REINFORCING (Responsible tEerritories and Institutions eNable and Foster Open Research and inClusive Innovation for traNsitions Governance)

Reporting period: 2024-03-01 to 2025-08-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

REINFORCING supports organizations and institutions in Europe to transition to a new paradigm where responsibility and openness drive research and innovation processes.
In the current situation, the green and digital transitions have become an urgency that can no longer wait. The twin transition, as they have come to be known, will bring enormous benefits but also undesired externalities. Making it fair and inclusive is, therefore, key. To succeed, institutions and territories need to shift to more open and transparent R&I practices in which all actors share responsibility to develop services and products that are acceptable, sustainable and bring social satisfaction.
The Open and Responsible Research and Innovation approach promotes collaborative efforts. From sharing research outputs as early as possible to engaging citizens in co-creation processes, R&I should be open to the whole society. Implementing Open and Responsible Research and Innovation (ORRI) can seem a daunting task. Over the past decade, many resources and tools have been created, but an effort to systematize, curate and create a single entry point was still missing. REINFORCING is this much-needed European central hub for Open and Responsible R&I. The project’s platform is the entry point to knowledge, training, ORRI skills match-making and capacity building for organizations interested in starting or continuing their journey to creating an inclusive R&I ecosystem. Furthermore, the project brokers unique networking opportunities for organizations, institutions and territories interested in becoming part of the European ecosystem that is transforming the R&I system by bringing it closer to society and societal needs.

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

REINFORCING has foreseen funding for 7 cascading grants Open Calls, ranging from €20,000 to €60,000, to help institutions and organisations across Europe develop and implement new ways of conducting research and innovation that foster fair and sustainable transitions. During its first two reporting periods, the project launched five of the planned seven open calls, attracting nearly 300 applications from across Europe and beyond. These calls—Incubator Calls for organisations engaging with ORRI for the first time and Booster Calls for those expanding their existing practices—support a wide range of initiatives focused on Responsible Open Innovation, citizen engagement in EU Missions, ORRI in the Balkans, and responsible digitalisation.
By the end of the second reporting period, 38 institutions were already implementing ORRI projects, with 24 more preparing to begin. Through these initiatives, universities, research centres, NGOs, and public administrations are embedding openness, transparency, and social responsibility into their research and innovation activities, contributing to more inclusive and ethical R&I systems across Europe.
Complementing these efforts, REINFORCING developed and launched the ORRI Platform, an interactive online hub that serves as the main entry point to project resources. The platform provides access to funding opportunities, training modules, and over 350 curated resources, including practical tools, policy recommendations, and success stories. It also features an ORRI Community Map, highlighting grantees, sibling projects, and global networks collaborating to advance responsible innovation. A sustainability plan is currently under development to ensure the platform remains active, accessible, and continuously updated beyond the project’s duration.

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)

Each open call and service designed for ORRI actors is co-created in close collaboration with the ORRI community, ensuring that activities and support mechanisms reflect real needs and priorities. This community is continuously mobilised and engaged throughout the duration of REINFORCING through a dedicated engagement strategy that includes targeted outreach, participatory workshops, peer learning opportunities, and regular communication across multiple channels. These actions aim to foster a strong and active network of practitioners, policymakers, researchers, and institutions committed to advancing open and responsible research and innovation.