Engaging civil society

28.9.2018

Question for written answer E-004959-18
to the Commission
Rule 130
Soledad Cabezón Ruiz (S&D)

Responsible research and innovation (R&I) means engaging societal actors to ensure that it is aligned with the needs, values and expectations of society. However, evaluations of EU research framework programmes and other reports have concluded that the participation of civil society organisations has been extremely low and that barriers to engagement remain.

The Commission has committed to engaging civil society in the strategic planning process of Horizon Europe; but in order to ensure that it enjoys the same degree of engagement as other stakeholders, civil society should be involved not only at the consultation stage, but at the very first phase in the process — input gathering for the draft strategic R&I plan.

Given that civil society organisations are not traditional R&I actors, what specific and concrete efforts are being made to ensure that civil society is adequately represented in the first phase of the strategic planning process?

Will details on engagement be made public?