Last June Ecsite invited all science engagement organisations to sign an Open letter to the European Commissioner for Research and Innovation, Carlos Moedas.
135 Ecsite members and other non-member organisations and networks supported this initiative in order to make the voice of science engagement heard in the next framework programme for Research and Innovation, Horizon Europe.
This Open letter was handed over during a meeting with Commissioner Moedas’ Cabinet at the European Commission on 1 August. However, as of 1 November, Commissioner Moedas will no longer be in office as the College of Commissioners will be renewed.
To replace him, the incoming president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen nominated Bulgarian Mariya Gabriel as future Commissioner of Innovation and Youth. In charge of an expanded portfolio merging education, research and innovation, she will have the task of managing the Horizon Europe programme.
Same message, new addressee
As negotiations on the Horizon Europe programme are still at the same stage as when we first addressed the letter to Carlos Moedas, Ecsite will reiterate this initiative and send the exact same Open letter to the new Commissioner.
When Mariya Gabriel takes office in December, Ecsite will request a meeting to present the Open letter and its contents and discuss how science engagement can help the Commission reach its goals while meaningfully engaging citizens with research and innovation through Horizon Europe.
Already part of the list of signatories?
Thank you for your support! You don’t have to do anything – unless you want to remove your organisation from the list of signatories, in which case you need to let us know by 5 November.
Not signed yet?
A simple step is required: fill in the “Endorsement form” you will find in attachment below and send, it together with the logo of your organisation, to Marie Couëdic at the Ecsite office by 5 November.
Ecsite reserves the right to refuse the signature of organisations that would not comply with Ecsite’s core values.
Get in touch with the Ecsite office for any further question.
