Research requires a broad base and support from all stakeholders:
Strategien zur Einbindung von Bürgerinnen und Bürger in Forschung
The Code of Practice on Citizen Engagement for Knowledge Valorisation is a practical guide from the EU that describes how citizens can be systematically and effectively involved in research and innovation processes. Citizen engagement is important, among other things, to increase the social relevance, acceptance and exploitation of research results.
Implementing this guide can help to make citizen participation in research results inclusive and targeted. This makes research results socially relevant and more usable.
Specific to-dos for organisations and researchers:
- Strategy and planning: Develop a citizen engagement strategy with clear goals, target groups and a roadmap for participation.
- Diversity and inclusion: Ensure that different social groups are involved and barriers to participation are removed.
- Method selection: Selecting appropriate participation methods (e.g. workshops, online platforms, citizen forums) and building expertise.
- Transparency and communication: Clearly communicating expectations, roles and results; acknowledging citizens' contributions.
- Evaluation and feedback: Regularly measure the impact and quality of participation and adapt processes.
- Conflict management: Establish mechanisms for managing expectations and resolving conflicts.
Practitioners can use the code to:
- Plan participation processes early on and in a structured manner.
- Build internal expertise in citizen participation.
- Increase the social impact and acceptance of your research.
- Strengthen the eligibility and visibility of projects.
- Minimise risks through clear expectations and conflict management.