The Europe Working Group (GdL Europa) of the CNR’s Department of Earth System Sciences and Environmental Technologies is tasked with strengthening the Department’s presence and role in European research and innovation programs by promoting scientific excellence, strategic partnerships, and competitive participation in European Union initiatives.

Objectives

The Working Group serves as a coordinating hub between the Department’s institutes, the DSSTTA Directorate, the CNR’s central offices, and European partners, with the aim of:

• Strengthen the DSSTTA’s participation in major European funding programs (Horizon Europe, LIFE, ESA, EUSPA, Interreg…);
• Promote the scientific and technological expertise of the institutes, supporting them in the design and development of proposals;
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• Develop and strengthen high-level international partnerships, including networks, infrastructure, and bilateral agreements;
• Ensure strategic alignment with European policies and the priorities of the CNR;
• Monitor and analyze the Department’s performance in relation to European standards, facilitating informed and timely strategic decisions;
• Promote the internal dissemination of European knowledge through training, communication, and capacity-building activities.

The Group operates through:

• Monitoring and strategic analysis of European policies to identify scientific priorities, emerging research areas, and funding opportunities relevant to the Department.
• Targeted monitoring of EU calls for proposals and timely identification of the most promising ones, in collaboration with the Institute’s liaisons and the CNR’s central offices.
• Support for the design and preparation of proposals, promoting multi-institution and multi-departmental initiatives, the formation of competitive consortia, and the sharing of best practices.
• Development of structured European partnerships, including memoranda of understanding, joint laboratories, networks, and collaborations with international research institutions and infrastructure.
• Internal and external communication initiatives, including dedicated newsletters, workshops, seminars, and informational resources to support the Department’s scientific community.
• Reporting and evaluation activities, including periodic analyses of results, performance indicators, the geographic scope of partnerships, and the impact of the Department’s European initiatives.

Through constant monitoring of opportunities, dedicated support for researchers, and the development of advanced digital tools for governance and data analysis, the Europe Working Group helps make the DSSTTA an increasingly recognized and competitive player in the European research landscape.