Final Report Summary - SIS.NET (Network of Science in Society National Contact Points)
Executive Summary:
The range of the 7th Framework Programme’s (FP7) Science in Society (SiS) programme as well as the range of its stakeholders is extremely diverse. This demands that the SiS National Contact Points (NCPs) are able to orientate in the wide area of policy and policy papers behind the SiS programme, programme topics and research areas as well as in FP7 rules and regulations, and in addition, they need to have extensive knowledge of the different groups of stakeholders, in order to be able to fulfil their job.
The cooperation among NCPs in FP7 and the cooperation networks that they have established is one of the most important tools for NCPs to be resourceful in their field. The general objective of the SiS.net project is to continue and build on the work done within the previous SiS NCP network projects, to keep on strengthening the SiS NCP network and through this improve the operation of each SiS NCP in order to provide more effective and better quality services to organisations in the EU, in the associated countries and the International Cooperation Partner Countries (ICPC).
The general objective of the SiS.net project is to continue networking activities in the same direction as started in previous projects and create a seamless continuation, both between the work of NCPs, but also between FP7 and the next Framework programme, Horizon 2020.
Project Context and Objectives:
The general objective of the SiS.net project is to continue networking activities and create a seamless continuation in NCP activities, especially regarding knowledge transfer and best practice sharing, as well as networking and cooperation with important stakeholders including the European Commission.
The central concept of SiS.net targets the following three key aspects:
1. Further Mobilisation of the SiS NCP network as a working and ongoing support mechanism for all SiS NCPs, building on issues still only partly developed during the previous projects and new demands of continuing FP7 SiS programme. The objective is to reach out to the diversity of stakeholders in the Science in Society community and to countries beyond ERA to deepen and consolidate the collaboration with NCPs in International Cooperation Partner Countries
2. Mutual learning and capacity building for diverse network of SiS NCPs (including NCPs from ICPC countries) via;
a) working with vital background information through online analyses of SiS policy documents and further mapping of the SiS stakeholders in ERA (European Research Area) as well as in ICPC countries and
b) mutual learning and exchange of best practices in groups, through trainings and network meetings, as well as at individual level, through twinning and bilateral visits.
3. Communication of the FP7 SiS objectives as well as granting the visibility of SiS issues towards the next FP to SiS stakeholders, policy makers and the media though several outreach activities and online services, but also better internal communication within the SiS NCP network.
Project Results:
Not relevant, as the project is a coordination and support action and does not provide any S&T results.
Potential Impact:
The SiS.net project has reached all its objectives in both reporting period and acquired the expected impact in all aspects. Networking activities within the project and the larger network of SiS NCPs have been according to expectations. The project has in some cases even exceeded the initial expectations for impact and dissemination.
The basic vision for defining the objectives and expected impact was listed in the SiS 2011 work programme, a vision which was materialised in the content of the work packages; mobilisation and mutual learning; improved NCP service across Europe; simplifying and improving access to science in society calls; lowering the entry barriers for newcomers and raising the average quality of submitted proposals, with a more consistent level of NCP support services across Europe.
In terms of internal mobilisation of the whole network of SiS NCPs, its success has been achieved through efficient communication and networking events and activities. As for external mobilisation of SiS stakeholders, the project exceeded the expected impact through efficient events and activities. An example of this are the brokerage events where the project managed to bring together different SiS actors in order to encourage their interaction and reinforce their capacities to participate in the SiS programme. Another example is the European Parliament meeting which provided the opportunity to discuss policy development in Horizon 2020 with relevant policy makers and stakeholders. These were then followed up with written communication and manifestations. Mobilisation of ICPC partners has also been successful by adding this additional dimension to the network through an ICPC partner organisation.
Mutual learning and capacity building of the diverse network of NCPs has been carried out with trainings and exchange of best practices through various means, such as organised trainings, network meetings and mailing list. This provided the opportunity of best practice sharing and support among SiS NCPs assisting each other in any issues that arose during the implementation of the FP7 SiS calls.
The impact of the work carried out under the Communication work package was twofold; first to promote SiS.net as the network of SiS NCPs and second to contribute towards more successful promotion of the FP7 SiS programme. Both were extensively extended from the previous project, with SiS.net and the SiS programme reaching a wider audience than before, highlighting the success of the network and the importance of Responsible Research and Innovation in the complex interaction of science in society.
List of Websites:
www.sisnetwork.eu
The range of the 7th Framework Programme’s (FP7) Science in Society (SiS) programme as well as the range of its stakeholders is extremely diverse. This demands that the SiS National Contact Points (NCPs) are able to orientate in the wide area of policy and policy papers behind the SiS programme, programme topics and research areas as well as in FP7 rules and regulations, and in addition, they need to have extensive knowledge of the different groups of stakeholders, in order to be able to fulfil their job.
The cooperation among NCPs in FP7 and the cooperation networks that they have established is one of the most important tools for NCPs to be resourceful in their field. The general objective of the SiS.net project is to continue and build on the work done within the previous SiS NCP network projects, to keep on strengthening the SiS NCP network and through this improve the operation of each SiS NCP in order to provide more effective and better quality services to organisations in the EU, in the associated countries and the International Cooperation Partner Countries (ICPC).
The general objective of the SiS.net project is to continue networking activities in the same direction as started in previous projects and create a seamless continuation, both between the work of NCPs, but also between FP7 and the next Framework programme, Horizon 2020.
Project Context and Objectives:
The general objective of the SiS.net project is to continue networking activities and create a seamless continuation in NCP activities, especially regarding knowledge transfer and best practice sharing, as well as networking and cooperation with important stakeholders including the European Commission.
The central concept of SiS.net targets the following three key aspects:
1. Further Mobilisation of the SiS NCP network as a working and ongoing support mechanism for all SiS NCPs, building on issues still only partly developed during the previous projects and new demands of continuing FP7 SiS programme. The objective is to reach out to the diversity of stakeholders in the Science in Society community and to countries beyond ERA to deepen and consolidate the collaboration with NCPs in International Cooperation Partner Countries
2. Mutual learning and capacity building for diverse network of SiS NCPs (including NCPs from ICPC countries) via;
a) working with vital background information through online analyses of SiS policy documents and further mapping of the SiS stakeholders in ERA (European Research Area) as well as in ICPC countries and
b) mutual learning and exchange of best practices in groups, through trainings and network meetings, as well as at individual level, through twinning and bilateral visits.
3. Communication of the FP7 SiS objectives as well as granting the visibility of SiS issues towards the next FP to SiS stakeholders, policy makers and the media though several outreach activities and online services, but also better internal communication within the SiS NCP network.
Project Results:
Not relevant, as the project is a coordination and support action and does not provide any S&T results.
Potential Impact:
The SiS.net project has reached all its objectives in both reporting period and acquired the expected impact in all aspects. Networking activities within the project and the larger network of SiS NCPs have been according to expectations. The project has in some cases even exceeded the initial expectations for impact and dissemination.
The basic vision for defining the objectives and expected impact was listed in the SiS 2011 work programme, a vision which was materialised in the content of the work packages; mobilisation and mutual learning; improved NCP service across Europe; simplifying and improving access to science in society calls; lowering the entry barriers for newcomers and raising the average quality of submitted proposals, with a more consistent level of NCP support services across Europe.
In terms of internal mobilisation of the whole network of SiS NCPs, its success has been achieved through efficient communication and networking events and activities. As for external mobilisation of SiS stakeholders, the project exceeded the expected impact through efficient events and activities. An example of this are the brokerage events where the project managed to bring together different SiS actors in order to encourage their interaction and reinforce their capacities to participate in the SiS programme. Another example is the European Parliament meeting which provided the opportunity to discuss policy development in Horizon 2020 with relevant policy makers and stakeholders. These were then followed up with written communication and manifestations. Mobilisation of ICPC partners has also been successful by adding this additional dimension to the network through an ICPC partner organisation.
Mutual learning and capacity building of the diverse network of NCPs has been carried out with trainings and exchange of best practices through various means, such as organised trainings, network meetings and mailing list. This provided the opportunity of best practice sharing and support among SiS NCPs assisting each other in any issues that arose during the implementation of the FP7 SiS calls.
The impact of the work carried out under the Communication work package was twofold; first to promote SiS.net as the network of SiS NCPs and second to contribute towards more successful promotion of the FP7 SiS programme. Both were extensively extended from the previous project, with SiS.net and the SiS programme reaching a wider audience than before, highlighting the success of the network and the importance of Responsible Research and Innovation in the complex interaction of science in society.
List of Websites:
www.sisnetwork.eu