The project is implemented in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where science is essential for resilience, competitiveness and future skills, yet remains insufficiently visible and unevenly accessible in everyday life. The distance between researchers, institutions and citizens is still pronounced, especially beyond major cities. Researchers are often expected to combine scientific work with communication and delivery without adequate time, training or support.
Public engagement with research is therefore not optional. In a context of complex governance, unequal access to opportunities and strong demand for credible, future-oriented education, science communication is part of the public value of research itself. The project is also relevant in the wider European setting: Bosnia and Herzegovina is associated to Horizon Europe, while the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans aims to accelerate convergence through skills, opportunity and socio-economic development. In this context, EU funding for science, education and research visibility helps widen participation, support mobility, build skills and connect local actors with European opportunities.
The overall objective is to strengthen the relationship between science and society by making research more visible, accessible and meaningful. The project aims to improve recognition of researchers and research careers, increase understanding of the benefits of research and innovation, and widen access to science engagement through inclusive, interactive and age-appropriate formats. A particular priority is to reach children, young people and underserved communities, including rural and semi-rural areas. The project also highlights the importance of junior researchers as contributors and relatable role models, and of dedicated project and communication managers in large engagement actions, allowing researchers to participate as experts without carrying the full operational burden. Expected impact goes beyond participation figures: stronger trust in science, improved attitudes towards researchers, wider access to science learning, and stronger links between research, education, communities and European opportunities.
