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Poster Short Abstract

The project aims to empower Social Economy Organizations (SEOs) to carry out Engaged Research (ER). It addresses the needs of workers-employees of SEOs to carry out ER, enhancing skills and visibility to tackle urgent societal challenges and adapt vocational education to labor market needs.

Poster Abstract

The current societal challenges demand for solutions that are not only developed within and by academics but are co-created with the deep and meaningful partnerships between Social Economy Organizations and research organisations/academia. However, a significant skills gap often prevents non-academic organisations, such as SEOs, from engaging in impactful research projects as equal partners. This is due to the fact that SEOs frequently lack the tools and methodologies to effectively navigate the research landscape.

This presentation introduces the RISE project, an EU-funded initiative designed to directly address the above mentioned gap. We posit that for research to be truly impactful, non-academic actors must be empowered with the skills to become champions in the evidence-based work, not merely beneficiaries of it. The project moves beyond traditional dissemination models to focus on building core competencies through the development of an engaged research training programme directly addressing identified gaps and barriers, with the knowledge and skills necessary to become equal research partners, and raising awareness of the field of ER as such.

Drawing on initial findings from our training programs, we will share best practices and lessons learned through impact and sustainability plans. This session is particularly useful for academics interested in equitable partnership models, leaders from the third and public sectors seeking to enhance their evidence-based practice, and policymakers aiming to foster a more robust and applied knowledge ecosystem. Through the RISE approach we aim to provide a tangible blueprint for building a more collaborative, effective, and socially engaged research culture in Europe.