Lessons Learned per Milestone 3

Milestone 3

• Ensure a good representation of professionals (industry related to the topic, policy makers, journalists) to have a balanced dialogue;
• Present the topic approached from the beginning of the workshop;
• Explain the participatory method used to the participants as clearly and in a shorter time;
• Involve the private sector, policymakers, the scientific community and the local and national community for the definition of ideas, needs and solutions;
• Explain at the start of the workshop the different phases that participants will go through;
• Continue to engage the stakeholders for knowledge exchange after the workshop;
• Make the workshops highly participatory and interactive;
• Give the participants sufficient time to present themselves and their work/field of interest, in order to facilitate connection and co-operation after the workshop;
• Promote a greater participation of general public in projects financed by European funds to help filling the gap between science and society;
• Adapt the workshop methodology to the local culture;
• Use common words so that non scientists participants can understand and contribute to the discussion without being overwhelmed by scientific language;
• Develop concrete examples that stakeholders can understand and get involved;
• Adapt the workshop schedule and structure according to the specifics and program of the stakeholders you want to attend;
• Provide as much information as possible to the subject before the workshop;
• Engage stakeholders from different sectors of activity;
• Invite and encourage different stakeholders to participate at this kind of workshops;
• Make a clear presentation of the debated issue and its current status;
• Stimulate and ensure open dialogue among the attendees;
• Establish transparent, efficient and effective democratic mechanisms amongst all involved and throughout all the phases to create trust;
• Engage young potential "citizen scientists" in schools to promote the issue at hand;
• Explain clearly the workshop methodology and how the outputs will be used at the beginning of the workshop and include some warm-up activity;
• Define a clear agenda and respect it, but do not hesitate to be flexible and modify the schedule to reach the final results;
• Consider having virtual discussions to help some stakeholder groups (e.g. citizens) to attend participatory workshops and events;
• Identify or create a unique Body entrusted with the control of a process to ensure coordination and synergy of all stakeholders involved;
• Dedicate the needed time to discuss and clarify the methodology and the agenda with the facilitator - and among the organizing group;
• Involve students when possible;
• Provide a synthetic, max 5 pages, info pack about the topic before the workshop.

See also...

RRI Roadmap Milestones