Earlier this year, the Alicante Science Park hosted the CO-VALUE Training Workshop, a vibrant space for learning and co-creation that brought together researchers, entrepreneurs, and innovation professionals to explore new ways of involving citizens in knowledge valorisation. As a key partner in the CO-VALUE project, the Science Park played host to a day of dynamic discussions and hands-on sessions aimed at strengthening collaboration between science, technology, civil society, and public institutions.

The workshop delved into methodologies such as co-design, hackathons, and co-creation labs, while also addressing critical dimensions like ethics and intellectual property in participatory processes. The sessions were guided by two leading experts: Marzia Mazzonetto, science communicator and coordinator of CO-VALUE, and Robert Sanders, innovation specialist and leader of BIC Africa at the European Business & Innovation Centre Network (EBN). Their combined expertise at the intersection of research, public engagement, and entrepreneurship enriched the dialogue and offered practical insights for applying these approaches in real-world settings.

This event was not just a training session—it was an opportunity to reflect on the transformative power of citizen involvement in research and innovation. Participants explored how these strategies can enhance the social impact of innovation and contribute to European efforts to make research outcomes more relevant, inclusive, and aligned with societal needs. The CO-VALUE workshop reaffirmed the importance of building bridges between knowledge and society to foster innovation that truly delivers public value.

The first training session was released in Emilia Romagna on March 24th on Citizen Engagement for knowledge valorization, and was organized on site by ART-ER in the premises of Bologna Metropolitan City, at the presence of 24 stakeholders, belonging to the research ecosystem (universities, research labs) and third-sector organizations. Bassetti Foundation ETS was in charge of the ideation and running of the day. The first part of the day was dedicated to introducing the topic, exploring the evolution of citizen engagement in research and innovation processes and the EU knowledge valorisation policy and connected tools such as the Code of Practices. Through interactive group sessions and plenary dialogues, participants analysed how citizen contributions can bring added value to research and innovation processes.

Two more training sessions were organized online by Emilia-Romangna by Art-ER and designed and conducted by Fondazione Giannino Bassetti.

The first one was centered on The Ethics of Participative Processes and took place on May 9th. It was an appointment to explore some of the ethical considerations that underlie good citizen engagement for knowledge valorisation, from inclusive criteria in recruiting participants to personal data management and consent form procedures. 33 persons took part in the online training.

On May 29th, the second online training session was held on the theme of Citizen science as a potential approach to engage citizens in knowledge valorisation pathways. An overview of methodological aspects and some case studies implemented within the R&I ecosystem of Emilia Romagna were also showcased.