Dear Members,

As we enter November, I’m pleased to announce a powerful and important new action that each of you, as members of our network, can participate in to make a real impact. We’re reaching out to you with an invitation to contact the newly elected Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from you country, if it is part of the EU. If it is not, you may use what follows to reach your government officials or stakeholders.

Why?

In the world ahead - and everyone will understand what I mean -, all our voices are essential in ensuring that our role and our work are properly understood. Ecsite has been advocating on your behalf; we can go further and give force to our network, by combining members voices all over the continent. We’re convinced that communicating aligned messaging in each country, highlighting the importance of our field, is crucial.

When?

Let’s do it now. Firstly because many MEPs are novices and have never sat in Parliament. Secondly because it is a critical time in the structuring of the next European research and innovation programme, called FP10 which is to succeed the current one, Horizon Europe. These programmes detail the actions that the EU decides to finance. Taking part in drawing them up gives us the opportunity to benefit from European funding in the future. It's also a symbolic issue: to be included in these programmes is to gain recognition for the soundness of our action.

How?

Taking part is straight forward, and we’ll provide you with everything you need—sample emails, key talking points, and a guide to finding and contacting your MEPs. We’re here to make sure your voice is heard, loud and clear. Please share your successes with us.

Thank you to the Committee who supported us in the development of this action and thank you for standing with us and acting for our shared vision. We are Europe, let’s make it great (again).

Kind regards,

Bruno Maquart