The Consumer and Citizen Engagement Working Group was established with the overarching goal of fostering a comprehensive and structured understanding of the role and methodologies of engagement within European Research and Innovation (R&I) projects. This endeavor aims to enhance comprehension, trigger involvement, and leverage the actions of consumers and citizens in the evolving energy landscape.
The core activities of the working group revolve around three focal themes, each guided by a distinct sub-group:
Indicators of Engagement – it focuses on defining a comprehensive and standardized set of engagement indicators. In particular, the WG is working on:
- creating an accessible tool for future projects to use the collection (repository),
- testing and optimizing indicators,
- enhancing metrics and measurement instruments,
- regularly updating and maintaining the repository,
- adding further categorization types, and
- addressing challenges associated with measuring engagement indicators.
Smart Tools - it aims to advance user-centered methodologies for involving consumers in the design process of smart tools, ensuring broad representation for increased acceptance, use, and adoption. The sub-group is presently working on:
- integrating with the Design for Acceptance and Adoption Process (DoAP),
- creating a repository featuring a catalog of design methods applicable at various stages or modes of development,
- analyzing strategies to engage consumers in the design and use of accessible and affordable tools, and
- harmonizing design innovation approaches.
Strategies of Engagement – it aims to bridge the gap in integrating social innovation into R&D projects by addressing significant barriers and defining a more robust structure around engagement strategies from BRIDGE projects. The sub-group is actively working on:
- aligning its work with the Indicators and Smart Tools sub-groups,
- identifying engagement strategies through stakeholder characterization,
- providing guidelines for engagement along with inspiration and best practices, and
- finalizing an engagement handbook.
For more information about this Working Group, please contact secretariat@horizon-bridge.eu
Chair:
