How to involve citizens in science and innovation policy?

VARIO was asked by the Flemish Minister of Innovation, Hilde Crevits, for a starting note with possible scenarios for involving citizens, individually or organized, in science and innovation policy.

Based on data from desk research and expert interviews, VARIO created a model with three 'layers' or groups of possible scenarios. VARIO formulated a number of recommendations for the model. The council emphasizes communication (layer 1 in the model), as the most essential for involving citizens in science and innovation policy, and as a stepping stone to more active forms of involvement. In addition, it points out the importance of evidence-informed policy (layer 2 in the model) in order to let the general interest of citizens prevail and thus to strengthen support for and trust in policy. According to VARIO, co-creation, whereby citizens provide input (evidence) for policy through (their behavior in) practice, should be encouraged and optimized. In terms of direct policy input for science and innovation (layer 3 in the model), VARIO sees a rather limited role for citizens.

The advice also includes a background report. In this report, VARIO provides the context to the question and an overview of collected, relevant information that can serve as a starting point for concrete action. The report also contains an overview of existing initiatives to involve citizens in policy, in Flanders but also beyond and with a focus on science and innovation.

Minister Hilde Crevits took the time to examine the advice thoroughly: "The advice provides an inspiring overview and shows the possibilities and the areas where we can make progress in involving citizens. With this advice we will enter into a dialogue with the various organizations in the field and strengthen our science communication policy for the future." Last week, the new Citizen science project CurieuzeNeuzen in de Tuin was launched, a good example of co-creation.

Read the advice and its background report here.