wbc-rri-logo-bleed-01-282x76 Project

Embedding RRI in Western Balkan Countries:
Enhancement of Self-Sustaining R&I Ecosystems


.The overall aim of WBC-RRI.NET is to foster the application of RRI principles at the territorial level in five (5) Western Balkan −4 region-level and 1 country-level− R&I ecosystems and promote a multi-level steering R&I governance framework in the WBCs. RRI principles will act as enablers to the shared learning and diffusion of R&I governance innovations at territorial level, enhancing R&I planning, including S3 Strategies in the WBs.This framework is based on a ‘smart directionality’ approach ─indicated as beneficial to regional ecosystems─ as well as on a regional and local innovation planning, a concept to which citizens will also be brought closer through the RRI principles. R&I planning and S3 strategies will thus have the potential to be characterised by an RRI-driven open and inclusive approach, entailing a comprehensive stakeholder involvement and engagement with a focus on citizens’ participation. The approach described is also based on the rationale that the RRI concept ─mostly adapted to the level of research institutions─can also be applied at the level of regional and territorial research and innovation governance (the so-called Territorial RRI). The WBC-RRI.NET responds to the topic “Supporting the development of territorial Responsible Research and Innovation” of the Call “Science with and for Society”, included in the H2020 WP 2018-2019-2020. It includes thirteen (13) beneficiaries and is led by the University of Novi Sad (UNS). The project is structured around nine (9) Work Packages (WPs) and evolves around three, complementary to each other, threads: analytical thread, reflective thread and implementation thread. WP1 and T1.1 fall under the analytical thread;this thread focuses on mapping as a knowledge-building process, and provides a set of detailed maps for afterwards designing and implementing tailored RRI ‘anchor’ initiatives in the target five (5) WB territories. The 5 RRI ‘anchor’ initiatives The implementation of the RRI ‘anchor’ initiatives in the 5 WB territories is addressed underthe implementation thread of WBC-RRI.NET, with the aim of fostering self-sustaining institutional changes and territorial transformations. The main foci of the 5 RRI ‘anchor’ initiatives (in terms of target RRI keys and scientific areas) are depicted in the figure below (Figure 1), while afterwards their preliminary description is seemingly provided.

adsf Project

1. Citizen science activities

Citizen science activities on the participative assessment methods for the ecosystem services in the Kune-Vain-Tale ecosystem (Albania) – Target RRI keys: Public Engagement combined with Governance

2. Promotion of Research Ethics awareness and training

Promotion of Research Ethics awareness and training in Science Education and Open Access/Open Science in Republic of Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina) – Target RRI keys: Ethics, Science Education, Open Access

3. Promoting Science Education (STEAM approach)

Promoting Science Education (STEAM approach) and fostering gender equality in STE(A)M areas (with a focus on ICT / engineering) in Skopje (North Macedonia) – Target RRI keys: Science education, Gender Equality.

4. Development of a public engagement scheme

Development of a public engagement scheme combined with training on ICT and effective operationalisation of an open access repository in Vojvodina (Serbia) – Target RRI keys: Public Engagement, Open Access.

5. Development of a threefold public engagement pla


Development of a threefold public engagement plan towards climate and environmental issues in the Country of Montenegro – Target RRI keys: Public Engagement, Governance. There is currently the need in Montenegro to engage citizens and the scientific community in an active dialogue regarding climate/environmental issues. Thus, the ‘anchor’ initiative refers to a threefold public engagement plan towards the field of climate and environment including:

1) Science communication activities raising citizens’ awareness through related virtual platforms;
2) Citizen science activities (e.g. citizens monitoring scientific actions related to the environment);
3) Citizens participating in the formation of research agendas referring to environmental research questions for their region.

Proceeding a step further, an additional need refers to creating a common RRI and S3 implementation network for the target regional scientific domains. The main action refers to exchange of good RRI and S3-related practices for the creation and functioning of strong clusters in the region, also linked to regional needs.

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