European Researchers' Night: The Night Deal

Project Information

The Night Deal

Grant agreement ID: 954442

DOI

10.3030/954442

Project closed

EC signature date 24 June 2020

Start date 9 June 2020

End date 8 April 2021

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Total cost

€ 143 750,00

EU contribution

€ 100 000,00

Coordinated by

IDRYMA EREVNAS KAI KAINOTOMIAS
Cyprus

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - The Night Deal (European Researchers' Night: The Night Deal)

Reporting period: 2020-06-09 to 2021-04-08

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Some of the objectives were:
o Make as many people as possible aware of the ERN and its objectives;
o Attract as large as possible a number of organizations to the events organized.
o To raise awareness among the general public, regardless of age and scientific background, about research and innovation, in order to understand the benefits for society and increase the public’s recognition of the importance of the researchers’ work.
o Engage relevant actors (educational institutions of all levels, trained practitioners) to encourage formal and informal science education with the aim to improve the scientific knowledge base.
o To highlight, through an interactive approach, the positive impact that R&I has on everyday life, as well as its variability by showcasing its multidimensional and multidisciplinary role.
o To eliminate any stereotypes around researchers and their profiles.
o Promote gender balance and inclusion in research by ensuring equal participation of male and female researchers, regardless of their seniority and scientific background.
o Promote through ‘The Night Deal’ the agenda of the European Green Deal initiative for a greener and smarter world, for a more sustainable future through research and innovation.
The European Researcher Night 2020 was held under special circumstances and the main conclusion that could be drawn from the awareness campaign is that the main goal is achieved.

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

Awareness campaign Work Package 1 Tasks undertaken

Communication means (off line and online)
Offline such as articles in local newspapers, magazines and e-portals about the event, covering the local press to a very large extent, advertisements on social media and radio channels, TV and Radio interviews, press releases, outdoor advertisements (Billboards),newsletters, event program etc
Online such as design of web-banners, e-poster and e-programme for the main event, design of video animations for the TV and Radio spots, posts and web-banners posted on the RIF’s and participant organizations’ websites and blogs, constant updating and maintenance of project website (RIF webpage), design of webpage for the event with special emphasis given to EU Corner and MSCA Activities, promotion of the event through RIF website https://www.research.org.cy constant updating and maintenance of RIF social networks profiles (Facebook page, Linkedin and Twitter), post and banner advertisements on online news media etc.


Promotional material

All announcements, publications and event material included the compulsory mention "European Researchers' Night", complying with the following editing guidelines:
All Offline written material (e.g. programme, posters, etc) mentioned: "European Researchers' Night",
All Online material (e.g. banners, advertisements etc) mentioned: "European Researchers' Night" and "This European Researchers' Night project with Grant Agreement number: 954442 — The Night Deal — H2020-MSCA-NIGHT-2020 ID is co-funded by the European Commission under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action” and were compliled with the general guidelines available at: http://ec.europa.eu/info/resources-partners/european-commission-visual-identity_en

Overview of the results

The European Researcher Night 2020 was held under special circumstances and the main conclusion that could be drawn from the awareness campaign is that the main goal is achieved. In addition to the pandemic conditions, the fact that the date of the event was Black Friday should be taken into consideration to the overall results.
The dissemination of the event to the large public was achieved, taking into consideration the PR value for the awareness activities, οverall number of attendees (including students visited the event) and social Media metrics.


Activities during the Night Work Package 2 Tasks undertaken
1. Side Events; School visits organized on 27th November 2020
2. Main Event; A Research Virtual Exhibition (Science Fair) was hosted virtually with76 interactive activities and 25 different organizations, games specifically designed for children and parents and science activities, open discussion with researchers, as well as other competitions and award ceremonies and the European Corner.
Overview of the results
Through the online platform, a large number of attendees visited an impressive digital exhibition area and watched live experiments, played games and participated in other interesting activities and presentations,
through more than 70 booths set up during the event, which were represented by more than 250 researchers of the country.


Impact Assessment Work Package 3 Tasks undertaken
“Impact Assessment Survey uploaded on the platform attracting people for answering a questionnaire that was developed including both open-ended and multiple-choice questions;

The main conclusion to be drawn from the impact assessment performed during the event is that the event is well established in Cyprus, welcomed by the wider public and highly appreciated by the participants. The responses collected represent a good sample of overall participation and perceptions by including participants from both genders and all age groups, with sufficient participation of young people (students and young professionals) under the specific circumstances and in line with the overall objective of the event.

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)

Impact

- Raising awareness of the importance of research and innovation as well as its funding has been achieved through a broad awareness campaign through articles and press releases, interviews on TV and radio channels, radio commercials, outdoor advertising and commercials, on websites, newsletters, social media pages (Facebook, etc.), etc.-
- Emphasis was placed on EU-funded R&D activities, in particular through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie (MSCA) and H2020 actions, and their impact on citizens' lives, in order to highlight the importance of EU funding. The participation of policy makers to the event highlighted the importance of funded research for the economy and society at large.
- A better understanding of the basic benefits of research in society has been achieved through exhibitions, discussions, games, etc. conducted during the event, showing how research can combine different areas and how research results can improve our daily lives.
- The reduction in the stereotypes about researchers and the increase of people taking up research careers was achieved by the actual contact of people with the researchers during the event via real time chat (audio/video/text).
- The increase of people, young people, taking up research careers was achieved by making the researchers’ careers more attractive through messages promoting the characteristics and qualities of people working in research and innovation. Organised school visits were arranged for the event.
- Emphasis was placed on R&I activities funded by the EU and their impact on the life of citizens, as well as on the global challenges that Europe is facing, in order to highlight the importance of the interdependencies in EU citizens’ lives.

image.jpg