In the first half of 2022, France will take over the presidency of the Council of the European Union and push the EU’s strategic agenda forward following three key priorities – namely recovery, power, and belonging. In this context, the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation (MESRI) will mobilise the main French and European actors in this area by organising a series of events, which will be fully integrated in European work programmes. The high-level conference on civic engagement in EU Missions, which will take place on March 21, 2022 at the prestigious Iena Palace (Economic, Social and Environmental Council) in Paris, will be the highlight of the MESRI agenda under the French presidency. European Missions, which are funded by the framework programme for research and innovation Horizon Europe, aim at providing concrete solutions to tackle some of the greatest challenges Europe and the world have to face by 2030, namely: beating cancer, adapting to climate change, protecting oceans and waters, promoting climate-neutral and smart cities, and soil health.

In order to follow the new approach promoted by the European Commission and member-states, which is built on the principles of co-design and co-implementation with European citizens, the conference will be organised in two parts:

• A discussion of ideas, through conferences and roundtables on civic participation and engagement in research, and in particular in the realm of EU Missions;
• A civil society and research forum, during which projects and concrete solutions will be presented at stands and dedicated demonstration spaces. The selected project holders will also have the opportunity to present side events. If you wish to participate in the forum, please answer this questionnaire by November 22, 2021 at latest.