In line with its Terms of References the ERA Forum may set up time-limited and subject-bound sub-groups for the purpose of examining specific questions. The sub-group on the Global Approach to R&I Cooperation has been recommended by Council Conclusions. The following sub-groups have been established:
INCLUSIVE GENDER EQUALITY IN THE EUROPEAN RESEARCH AREA (ERA Action 5)
This sub-group to the ERA Forum supports the implementation of Action 5 of the ERA Policy Agenda 2022-2024. The group performs various tasks to deliver on the key priorities for Action 5. The group
- facilitates the exchange of experience and promote mutual learning regarding all aspects of gender equality in research and innovation organisations through inclusive Gender Equality Plans and policies;
- provides advice and support to the Commission to address policy challenges related to gender equality and inclusiveness in R&I;
- facilitates the regular collection of sex- and/or gender-disaggregated data for the ‘She Figures’ publication and, where possible, of inclusive gender equality indicators in the field of R&I, in collaboration with national statistical offices.
GLOBAL APPROACH TO R&I COOPERATION (ERA Action 9)
The Council Conclusions on the Future Governance ERA recommended ‘setting up a standing sub-group of the ERA Forum, co-chaired by Member States and the Commission, to take into account and continue the work done by SFIC’. The sub-group supports the objectives set out in the ‘Global Approach to Research and Innovation by
- advising the Commission services in designing, implementing and evaluating approaches and actions of international R&I cooperation;
- establishing coordination between the Commission and Member States and stakeholders and to exchange experience and good practice in the field of International R&I Cooperation, including at the multilateral level.
UNIVERSITIES FOR ERA (ERA Action 13)
The sub-group to the ERA Forum ‘Universities for ERA’ supports the implementation of Action 13 of the ERA Policy Agenda 2022-2024. It will provide for a structured dialogue between the Commission, Member States, Associated Countries and research-intensive universities and their relevant Research and Innovation partners. The group:
- develops a coordinated mechanism and identifies implementation steps to promote excellence and cooperation in the research and innovation dimension of Europe’s universities and to support the academic sector in their further development in line with the ERA and in synergy with their education dimension;
- creates an informal platform of exchange and works on proposals for actions to build and maximize investments and synergies across programmes to jointly increase global visibility and competitiveness of Europe’s university sector.
ACCESS TO EXCELLENCE - R&I AND COHESION MANAGING AUTHORITIES NETWORK (ERA Action 16)
This sub-group represents an informal platform of exchange, providing policy updates and defining actions to build and maximize R&I investments and synergies across programmes, monitoring the roll-out of synergic initiatives and define activities aimed at boosting scientific excellence that will be instrumental to address innovation divide in Europe. Activities of the sub-group are focused on strategic discussions, exchange of knowledge and practices and targeted networking activities between authorities responsible for R&I and those responsible for Cohesion policy. In doing so, the group
- identifies national, regional or institutional challenges related to access to excellence, to increasing performance of R&I systems and to the better integration of innovation policy, cohesion policy and relevant instruments;
- provides recommendations on the type of support needed to face these challenges and to identify appropriate tools that can facilitate policy exchange and learning on potential ways to address these challenges.
For more information on each ERA Forum Sub-Group, please consult the Commission expert group register.