Network of Science with and for Society National Contact Points 2019-2020

Project Information

SiS.net 3

Grant agreement ID: 857769

DOI

10.3030/857769

Project closed

EC signature date 16 July 2019

Start date 1 March 2019

End date 28 February 2021

Funded under

• Integrate society in science and innovation issues, policies and activities in order to integrate citizens' interests and values and to increase the quality, relevance, social acceptability and sustainability of research and innovation outcomes in various fields of activity from social innovation to areas such as biotechnology and nanotechnology

Total cost

€ 600 000,00

EU contribution

€ 600 000,00

Coordinated by

RANNSOKNAMIDSTOD ISLANDS
Iceland

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SiS.net 3 (Network of Science with and for Society National Contact Points 2019-2020)

Reporting period: 2019-03-01 to 2021-02-28

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Science with and for Society (SwafS) covers a wide scope of activities and an extremely diverse range of stakeholders, which demands that SwafS NCPs are able to orientate in the wide area of policy behind the programme, research areas and topics as well as H2020 rules and technicalities. In addition, they need a deep understanding of the concept of Responsible Research and Innovation and extensive knowledge of the different groups of stakeholders involved, in order to be able to successfully do their job.
Taking this into account, the main objective of the SiS.net3 project is to share best practices among NCPs and improve the operation of each NCP in order to provide more effective and better quality services to participating organisations. By fulfilling this objective, the project leads to more consistent and professionalised level of NCP support across Europe. Special attention is given to the objective of lowering entry barriers for newcomers to the programme and reaching countries with lower performance outcome.

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

The SiS.net3 concept and approach focuses on the following four aspects and efficient support measures:
1. Sharing, mutual learning and capacity building for the diverse network of SwafS NCPs, through mutual learning and exchange of best practices in groups, through trainings and network meetings and at individual level, through good practice fact sheets, newcomer welcoming packages and staff exchange visits. Mapping of NCP experience and NCP needs is a vital component to focus this objective further, also taking into account the need for knowledge of EU policy.
2. Further mobilisation of stakeholders, respecting the diversity of SwafS players and the essentially cross-cutting nature of RRI actions.Focus on recruitment of potential participants in the programme; reaching stakeholders such as SMEs and CSOs snf industry. Special effort was made to reach stakeholders and potential participants in countries with low level of participation in the programme.
3. Impact is an important objective of the project, both towards NCPs and stakeholders, in order to develop the network effectively towards next FP, Horizon Europe. Additional impact has been reached through close cooperation with other NCP networks and the SwafS community and by leading stakeholders together, inform them about the programme and provide networking possibilities.
4. Focus on visibility through dedicated communication activities in order to educate NCPs in the different dimensions of RRI and to integrate objectives and outcomes into policy discussion at EU and national level. The aim was to enhance visibility of the programme to stakeholders, policy makers and media through several outreach activities. Policy making was a special focus in the transition to next FP and SwafS success stories were highlighted.

Strategic communication is of utmost importance in order to reach the right target groups and to diseminate the results in an efficient manner. The main features of the project communication strategy are:
● To develope external and internal communication and promotion activities targeted at the two main target groups; SwafS NCPs and diverse SwafS stakheolders.
● Send regular, internal information to highlight SwafS actions and results to this and other NCP networks.
● Continue to build on and adapt promotion material developed during previous projects to better meet requirements of a developing programme. Social media used as an additional communication channel to the website in order to promote services, activities and the development to a wider target group.
● Present and publish success stories from the SwafS programme and disseminate through social media, especially to showcase projects in order to motivate and ensure diverse participation.
● Regular promotion material used to promote SiS.net3 during brokerage events, ESOF, policy events and other events.

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)

The project builds on a solid network and promotes continuous interaction between SwafS NCPs around Europe and beyond. Because of the existence of this network, several activities have been implemented among the NCPs, like training activities, networking, organisation of events, and elaboration of supporting materials. All these actions were designed and implemented with the goal of reinforcing the role of each NCP in order to allow them to provide better service and an added value in their countries, help simplify the access to calls, promote entry of newcomers, widen participation and increase the quality of proposals.
Building on the legacy of previous networks, SiS.net3 carries out focused impact activities, especially as H2020 is coming to an end and it is vital to take stock of the impact. To this end, varous impact driven activities were carried out, like analysing country participation with a view to improving participation from stakeholders and countries with low performance. Impact towards NCPs and towards clients was also looked at, as well as impact generated from dedicated collaboration with other NCP networks across H2020 and stakeholders from academia to industry. Finally, the impact of the unprecedented success of the SiS.net Brokerage events was highlighted.

The impact of all activities is directly in line with the expected impact listed in the WP. At the end of the project, the activities and collected effort have all worked towards achieving the following goals:
● Further develop a more consistent, improved and professionalised level of NCPs support services across Europe.
● Enhance the competence of NCPs, including helping less experienced NCPs rapidly acquire the know-how accumulated in other countries.
● Facilitate the participation and simplify access to Science with and for Society Horizon 2020 calls, and lower the entry barriers for newcomers, especially focusing on potential participants in countries with low success level in the programme or other entry barriers that can be identified.
● Increase the quality of submitted proposals.

To reach these goals, activities were focused on the two target groups of the project as follows:
● The improvement of the capacities and knowledge of all the SwafS NCPs to contribute to a better execution of their activities in their countries to encourage the participation in Science with and for Society calls.
● The improvement of the capacities and knowledge of SwafS stakeholders, academia, CSOs, SMEs and industry, related to the processes of participation in calls, when there is an added value at developing activities at European level.

SwafS NCP network members in Zagreb

SiSnet in Yerevan Feburary 2020