Periodic Report Summary - FUND (Facilitators' units network for debates) The goals of FUND are to support the networking and strengthen the concept of scientific culture across individuals and organisations active at city level. FUND focuses on the role of public debates on science as an instrument to achieve new collaborations and partnerships within and across cities, exchange of know-how and engagement of different kinds of publics.The instruments used by FUND to achieve these goals are: - an online platform to create dialogue tools and share the results of events and debates;- training and support actions to ignite the innovation on debate methods and to provide exchange of information and best practices on how to engage different actors and players;- a series of small subcontracts to enable local actors to network at city level and start or reinforce networks and collaborations (called 'MicroFUNDs').During the first year the activities of FUND revolved around: a) the development of the online platform;b) the initial networking actions, which included a review of existing best practices and dialogue projects, a three-day expert seminar and the development of the training programmes, and the launch of the call for the 'MicroFUNDs';c) the formative evaluation of the project.The premises of FUND lie in two previous Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) projects, DOTIK and Decide. These projects explored the role of dialogue and debate tools as instruments to engage a wider public in the governance of science and the importance of training to engage new audiences in the process.FUND takes the Decide format as a starting point and gives it a catalyst function to sustain awareness, networking and collaboration especially between small actors which are often isolated and lack the resources to access wider networks or external knowledge.This approach is based on the observation of how Decide was used and customised by several individuals and organisations, most of them representing small scale initiatives organised at local level. A review of these initiatives was produced by FUND and is available on the web platform.At the same time, FUND relies on a training programme based on knowledge exchange and innovation, and in particular on the role of science centres as interface and 'brokers' of local networks and as players in the field of science engagement.A 3-day seminar brought together 27 professionals active in the field of science engagement and communication, where they discussed issues of networking, innovation and civic action. This seminar looked at the components and requirements for a stronger role of scientific culture at the local level, and at the actions to support the networking that can be provided by FUND.The development of the web platform was informed by the results of the seminar, and it relies on a website where users can see all the debate activities supported by FUND as well as develop their own tools for public debates at: http://www.playdecide.eu and on a social networking page: http://www.facebook.com/playdecide where a broader public can follow the project and access additional resources.
