INSPIRING ERA is a project funded by the Horizon Europe program aimed at breathing new life into the European Research Area (ERA). The goal is to raise awareness, share best practices and speed up the adoption of advancements made under the umbrella of the ERA to benefit researchers and citizens across the countries involved.

INSPIRING ERA cooperates with EU Member States, Associated Countries, and stakeholders to implement the ERA Actions outlined in the ERA Policy Agenda, in collaboration with the European Commission. The project focuses on promoting mutual learning, building a strong community of practice, and offering recommendations for policymakers to ensure the effective uptake of ERA Policy Agenda outcomes.

It is important to translate these achievements into action so that the vision of a fully functioning ERA, where researchers, institutions and innovators can move freely and collaborate across borders, becomes a reality.

The ERA Policy Agenda has identified Plastic Pirates as part of the ERA Policy Agenda action 14 “Bring Science closer to Citizens” for the period 2022-2024. The Plastic Pirates initiative has been highlighted as one of the standout accomplishments showcasing the pivotal role of citizen science in fostering research engagement, demonstrating that such collaborative efforts can extend across the EU. The project has significantly contributed to elevating the visibility of citizen involvement in scientific research across the EU.

You can learn more about INSPIRING ERA and join the INSPIRING ERA Community.