The Final Conference of the RRI-Leaders project, entitled “Territories as Leaders in Responsible Research and Innovation”, held in the European Committee of the Regions in Brussels on October 19, 2023, was both a celebration of three years of intensive work and an "open market" to share and exchange ideas on how research and innovation can be built further on more open and responsible foundations and used by territorial authorities. More than 60 people attended, representing a full range of R&I actors at regional, national and European levels – project partners in ongoing or recently completed RRI-focused projects, stakeholders from the city of Sofia (Bulgaria), the region of Western Macedonia (Greece), the municipality of Thalwil (Switzerland), the city of Sabadell (Catalonia, Spain), RRI policy supporters, regional development agencies, business and industry associations, decision-makers in STI at different levels of governance (local, regional, national), as well as representatives of the Research Executive Agency of the European Commission, DG Research and Innovation, the Committee of the Regions.

The focus of the policy conference was the diverse experience of European territories in integrating Responsible Research and Innovation in territorial policymaking. Snezhina Gabova with Sofia Development Association presented Sofia experience leveraging RRI principles in the design of cultural policies and the development of the new Sofia Culture Strategy 2023-2033, Culture and the Arts - New Energy for Sustainable Development of Sofia 2023-2033.

The event included discussions with the stakeholders and presented recommendations to policymakers at different levels.

You can find more information in the conference booklet.

 RRI Leaders is funded by Horizon2020.