"Citizen science and public engagement are fundamental necessities" (J-D. Malo, European Commission)

"Citizen science and public engagement are not optional extras; they are fundamental necessities. They help ensure that research and innovation are relevant, impactful, and socially accepted", states Jean-David Malo, Acting Director of European Research Area & Innovation at the European Commission's DGRI, on 19/06/2025.

During the cluster event entitled 'Advancing Public Engagement and Citizen Science in the European Research Area (ERA)', he indicates: "Today, more than ever — especially just weeks before the Commission’s proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework — we must maintain and strengthen our commitment to engaging with citizens. We need to explain why these policies matter, empower citizens, and make them active participants in the scientific process. This is how we build trust and support for science, by extending democratic governance and showing how science and innovation can improve daily life".

The Acting Director notes that public trust is vital for democratic legitimacy and policymaking. Yet, recent public debates reveal growing concerns about declining…