On May 26 and 27, under warm spring skies, the T6 Ecosystem team traveled to Helsinki to take part in the CASRI project workshop and general assembly. Hosted at the iconic Paasitorni Conference Center, the event gathered representatives from 14 European Environmental Protection Agencies, key stakeholders, and the European Environment Agency, and it marked a major step in co-developing the project’s Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA).
Fostering Engagement around Shared Priorities
Day one was dedicated to World Cafe activities focused on the four CASRI key themes: Resilient and circular production systems, Biodiversity and climate, Sustainable urbanisation, and Nature- and environmentlly friendly energy transition.
At the closure, Katja Firus – partner of T6 and the manager of the sustainability department – led a session on CASRI’s communication strategy. In particular, she showcased the value of using social media channels (i.e. the CASRI LinkedIn Page and the CASRI LinkedIn Group) for increasing the project visibility and to foster engagement. Moreover, she highlighted the importance of active interactions and contributions from project partners and the stakeholders involved to further enhance the project’s awareness. To encourage this interaction, a LinkedIn survey was launched aimed at collecting reflections on Artificial Intelligence and digitalisation, climate security, regulatory streamlining, and citizen trust in science, sparking dialogue and linking the further discussions on the day after.
Cross-Cutting Themes and CASRI General Assembly
Day two offered space for group discussions aimed at consolidating and structuring the project’s emerging research priorities. Alongside the main thematic areas, during the day participants – split in working group – on rotation explored the four cross-cutting themes that emerged from the National Comprehensive Reviews analysis: Regulatory efficiency and competitiveness, Participation, inclusion and democracy, Digitalisation – including AI -, and Security in the context of transformational systemic change – all to be considered as transversal dimensions crucial for shaping a comprehensive and forward-looking SRIA.
Later in the day, the CASRI General Assembly brought all Consortium partners together to review more on administrative and organisational matters, and align on upcoming phases of work. During this internal session, Katja presented the next steps for CASRI’s communication efforts, such as the creation of a newsletter and some updates about the project’s communication channels (e.g. the new CASRI BlueSky).
Capturing Voices, Building Visibility
During this two day project meeting, Danilo Capone, from the T6 Communication team, had the opportunity to capture many video-interviews with national representatives and key stakeholders, gathering a wide range of personal insights, reflections and expectations across the network.
This collection of voices will soon be featured on CASRI’s YouTube channel, helping to convey the diversity, momentum, and shared commitment of partners and stakeholders working together to shape the future of environmental research and innovation.
Looking ahead
The Helsinki meeting was a pivotal step in the CASRI journey. As the Transnational Common Phase unfolds, shared European priorities will be shaped into an actionable CASRI Sustainable Research and Innovation Agenda, defining urgent, mid and long-term research needs.
T6 is proud to support this shared journey with a communication strategy and efforts that reflect the project’s ambition.
