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Author: Virginia Martínez Tudela

ist Projektmanagerin im digitalen Bereich und hat sich auf strategische Partnerschaften, interkulturelle Kommunikation sowie die Koordination multidisziplinärer Initiativen und internationaler Teams spezialisiert. Sie verfügt über einen Bachelor-Abschluss als Übersetzerin und Dolmetscherin der Universität Granada und einen Master-Abschluss in Internationalen Beziehungen der Universität Nebrija, ergänzt durch Fachausbildungen in Digitalem Marketing und Community Management. Ihr großes Interesse an internationaler Zusammenarbeit und multilateralen Institutionen hat sie dazu veranlasst, sich bei den Vereinten Nationen und der Internationalen Arbeitsorganisation zu engagieren. An der Universität Granada arbeitet sie mit dem Medialab UGR bei europäischen Initiativen wie ENGAGEgreen zusammen.

Methods: How to Implement Participatory Approaches

Written by Esteban Romero-Frías on . Posted in Content, Cross-Cutting Issues OV. No Comments on Methods: How to Implement Participatory Approaches

Summary: Key features in a nutshell

  • Objective: To implement participatory methods that ensure broad community involvement in the decision-making process regarding local development
  • Approach: Combining online consultations, interactive workshops, and collaborative projects where diverse stakeholders come together to identify challenges and co-design solutions
  • Outcome: A democratic process where solutions reflect the needs and contributions of all stakeholders, creating ownership and ensuring sustainability in the implementation phase

 

Description

Implementing participatory approaches requires engaging diverse stakeholders – local communities, researchers, policymakers, citizenship, and businesses – to co-create solutions that address regional challenges. Effective participatory methods empower communities to play an active role in shaping local development strategies, ensuring that solutions are not only scientifically informed but also locally relevant and sustainable.

UGR County Councils refers to the initiative led by the University of Granada (UGR) under the Erasmus + ENGAGEgreen project which aims to foster collaboration between academic researchers, local governments, and community stakeholders. This initiative focuses on addressing regional challenges through co-created, research-driven solutions and exemplifies a successful model for participatory governance in the context of territorial development.

 

How does the format work?

  • Stakeholder Identification. The participatory approach begins with the identification and mapping of relevant stakeholders, a process coordinated by Medialab UGR within the framework of the Impronta initiative. This mapping includes not only governmental actors and researchers but also civil society organisations, local businesses, and community members who hold valuable knowledge about local challenges.
  • Data Collection and Consultation. Online surveys, focus groups, and interactive workshops are used to collect input from these stakeholders. UGR County Councils, for instance, used online preparatory meetings to gather insights from stakeholders, prior to the in-person Second Impronta Granada meeting and its interactive workshops. This method ensures that diverse voices are heard from the outset.
  • Co-Creation and Collaborative Planning. Once needs are identified, co-creation workshops are organised by Medialab UGR within the framework of the Impronta initiative, bringing together researchers, policymakers, civil society, and local businesses to collaboratively develop action plans. These workshops are conducted in real time, allowing for immediate feedback and adaptation. This approach was implemented In the Second Impronta Granada Meeting through the organisation of micropresentations, coordinated by Medialab UGR, where researchers showcased their projects and received direct input from local stakeholders.
  • Public Visibility and Ongoing Engagement. Digital platforms such as the Impronta Granada website help maintain visibility and engagement. Research projects, community initiatives, and stakeholder profiles are made publicly available, allowing all participants to track progress and contribute to the discussion. Actor profiles and UGR project entries are key tools in ensuring continuous participation and keeping the community engaged.

 

Challenges

  • Coordination and Communication. In complex multi-stakeholder projects, ensuring clear communication between actors can be challenging. The UGR County Councils initiative highlights the need for dedicated facilitation to coordinate between different sectors and ensure that all voices are heard.
  • While initial participation can be strong, maintaining engagement over time is a common challenge. Researchers, policymakers, and community leaders need to be committed to continuous collaboration beyond the initial workshops or meetings.

 

Tasks and resources

Scientists

  • Tasks
    • Provide research findings that inform the participatory process
    • Facilitate workshops and co-creation activities
  • Required resources
    • Research dissemination tools, such as databases, interactive websites, and community-based data collection tools.

Knowledge exchange managers and research managers

  • Tasks
    • Coordinate stakeholder engagement
    • Manage the organisation of online and in-person consultations
    • Ensure that feedback is effectively incorporated into the development process
  • Required resources
    • Communication tools (e.g., websites, social media platforms); workshop materials (e.g., visual aids, data collection tools).

Policymakers

  • Tasks
    • Create policy frameworks that reflect the inputs from the participatory process
    • Allocate resources for implementation
    • Ensure continuous engagement with community leaders
  • Required resources
    • Policy expertise and financial resources to support the implementation of the co-created solutions.

 

ENGAGEgreen Project and UGR County Councils

The Erasmus + ENGAGEgreen project and the UGR County Councils initiative highlight how participatory approaches can effectively connect academic research with local governance. As part of this approach, several preparatory activities were carried out, including the first Impronta Granada Meeting in January 2025, followed by the UGR County Councils meeting in July 2025, and the second Impronta Granada Meeting in December 2025, where researchers, local policymakers, businesses, and civil society actors came together to identify and address regional challenges such as sustainable tourism, heritage preservation, and economic development. These meetings helped align UGR research with the needs of the Poniente Granadino and other regions by actively involving researchers in discussions about local priorities. During these events, UGR researchers presented their ongoing projects, with some projects being mapped through an Excel database that catalogued research topics, researcher affiliations, and their relevant county councils. This process also helped to integrate research findings into the local policy discussions, encouraging collaboration between academia and local actors. Additionally, the Impronta Granada website was crucial in ensuring visibility for these UGR researchers, as it included actor profiles and project listings, categorised by UGR County Councils, which allowed stakeholders to filter and connect with relevant research in their regions. The use of online workshops and micropresentations allowed for continuous engagement and co-creation of solutions, making sure that academic knowledge was aligned with local development goals and integrated into long-term strategies.

 

Sources and further reading

 

How to Recruit Researchers as Participants

Written by Virginia Martínez Tudela on . Posted in Content, Cross-Cutting Issues CS - english. No Comments on How to Recruit Researchers as Participants

Case Study of the Second Impronta Granada meeting and Poniente Workshop

Summary: Key features in a nutshell:

  • Objective: To successfully recruit researchers from the University of Granada (UGR) for collaborative territory-oriented projects with local governments, businesses, and civil society in the Poniente Granadino region.
  • Key Strategies
    • Online preparatory meetings to identify the most pressing regional challenges such as sustainable tourism, heritage preservation, and economic development and map existing research capacity
    • A curated Excel database compiling University of Granada’s researchers, projects and their associated County Council
    • Creation of actor profiles on the Impronta Granada website to improve the visibility of researchers and their alignment with specific County Councils
    • Use of UGR project entries on the website to highlight ongoing research projects, categorized by UGR County Councils and geolocated on an interactive map
    • Micropresentations (short talks) at the Second Impronta Granada Meeting showcasing selected research projects before the main Poniente workshop
  • Outcome: Enhanced researcher engagement; improved transparency of expertise; alignment between academic research and territorial development priorities; better informed, evidence‑based debate during the workshop

 

Description

Recruiting researchers from Universidad de Granada (UGR) to participate in regional governance and development initiatives is a key strategy to build a bridge between academic knowledge and local policy making.

UGR County Councils refers to the initiative led by the University of Granada (UGR) under the Erasmus+ ENGAGEgreen project, aiming to foster collaboration between academic researchers, local governments, and community stakeholders. This initiative focuses on addressing regional challenges through co-created, research-driven solutions. The Second Impronta Granada Meeting is the third pilot event organised by UGR as part of this project, bringing together researchers, policymakers, and local communities to discuss and develop strategies for sustainable development in rural and urban areas.

In the framework of the Second Impronta Granada Meeting (2 December 2025), through prior online preparatory meetings with UGR County Councils and the subsequent in‑person ‘Poniente Workshop’, researchers were actively integrated into a multi‑stakeholder process.

To operationalise this, an internal Medialab UGR compiled an internal Excel database – listing ongoing research projects, names of researchers, their associated County Council (comarca) and project status— which then served to design and schedule micropresentations of such projects during the in‑person event. The Excel registry was not a static tool but was continuously maintained and updated throughout the process to reflect confirmed participation, thematic relevance, and the evolving alignment between research projects and territorial needs. This mechanism fostered visibility, facilitated researcher‑stakeholder matching, and helped frame the workshop’s agenda around academically grounded proposals. The recruitment process was supported by creating actor profiles and listing UGR projects on the Impronta Granada website, where researchers and their ongoing work were made visible and accessible. These profiles allowed stakeholders from different sectors to identify relevant researchers for collaboration, and also to explore geolocated UGR projects that align with regional development needs.

 

How does the format work?

The recruitment of UGR researchers for the Poniente Workshop followed a clear and structured process:

 

1. Identification of needs & existing research

a. During the online preparatory meetings organised by by Medialab UGR within the framework of the Impronta Granada initiative, with various UGR County Councils (including those from Poniente), local actors and UGR researchers discussed regional challenges such as sustainable tourism, heritage preservation, economic revitalisation, demographic decline, migration, rural depopulation, cultural heritage protection, as well as green and digital transition issues, including climate adaptation, sustainable land use and the digitalisation of local services.

b. Concurrently, researchers presented ongoing investigations they were carrying out in the province of Granada, particularly in rural and comarca-based contexts (e.g., archaeology, sociology, environmental studies, heritage, tourism).

c. The outcomes of these meetings were recorded in a structured Excel spreadsheet, including researcher names, project titles, their associated comarca, and project status. This tool enabled mapping research capacity to territorial needs and selecting which researchers could contribute to specific themes.

 

2. Active recruitment and visibility

a. Based on the Excel registry, Medialab UGR, within the framework of the Impronta Granada initiative, invited selected researchers to produce micropresentations to be delivered during the Second Impronta Granada meeting – before the main Poniente Workshop – giving them a platform to present their work to a broader audience of stakeholders (policymakers, civil society actors, local businesses).

b. Researchers were actively invited to collaborate by presenting their projects on the Impronta Granada website, where their research topics were categorised by UGR County Council and linked to relevant regional development initiatives. The actor profiles feature detailed information about the researchers and the UGR County Councils they belong to, which greatly facilitated the recruitment process.

Actor profiles: Researchers and other actors listed with affiliation, role, and County Council membership. The directory can be filtered by institution (University of Granada), profile (research center), and County Council affiliation on the Impronta Granada website: Impronta Granada Actor Profiles.

UGR project entries: a catalogue of research projects geolocated on a map and categorised by County Council, allowing users to see which investigations are active in which comarcas: UGR Projects in County Councils.

 

3. Micropresentations as Engagement Trigger

At the Second Impronta Granada meeting (Loja, 2 December 2025) – prior to the thematic Workshop for Poniente – a set of researchers presented short five-minute pitches about their projects. These micropresentations included visual material (maps, images, diagrams, etc.), introducing research outputs to non‑academic stakeholders and grounding workshop debates in empirical evidence. Among them:

  • La voz de las torres – The Voice of the Towers (Ana García)
  • El patrimonio arqueológico en la comarca del Poniente de Granada: desde su investigación hasta su difusión – Archaeological Heritage in the Poniente de Granada Region: From Research to Dissemination (Luca Mattei)
  • Excavación en la Mesa de Fornes – Excavation at Mesa de Fornes (Andrés Androher)
  • El “heheo” en el Poniente Granadino: un estudio sociolingüístico – The “Heheo” in the Poniente Granadino Region: A Sociolinguistic Study (María Cardenete)
  • Estación biológica de campo de la UGR “La Resinera” – UGR Field Biological Station “La Resinera” (Juan M. Pleguezuelos)
  • Volver a los Orígenes siendo Original – Returning to the Origins While Being Original (Eva Moreno Castillo)

 

4. Integration into the workshop discussion

After the micropresentations, the Poniente mesa de trabajo enabled a dialogue between researchers, policymakers, civil society, and local business representatives, facilitating co‑design of proposals and potential alignment of academic research with territorial plans for the Poniente region.

 

Challenges

●        Diversity of research profiles. Not all projects listed in the Excel database corresponded to active researchers; some belonged to other participating agents. This occurred because the initial registry was compiled using information gathered from open calls, preparatory meetings, and existing territorial project records, which included contributions from a wide range of actors. A subsequent verification process was therefore required to identify and prioritise research-active profiles.

●        Disparity of research themes vs. local needs. Some research lines (e.g., highly theoretical or disciplinary) did not fit neatly into actionable local policies or heritage/tourism proposals – requiring adaptation or translation into practical proposals.

●        Time & motivation constraints. Research staff face teaching and administrative duties which can limit their availability. In this case, the Excel registry and the online publication of researcher profiles were compiled and made available several weeks in advance of the Second Impronta Granada Meeting, which allowed for initial engagement but proved insufficient to guarantee long-term involvement beyond the event. Sustaining participation therefore requires greater anticipation as well as continued institutional and logistical support.

●        Visibility & communication. While the website and micropresentations improved exposure, ensuring that local government and civil society consistently consulted and used the registry requires ongoing effort and outreach. Promotion of the registry was mainly carried out through direct communication with local councils during preparatory meetings, presentations at the Second Impronta Granada Meeting, and targeted follow-up emails sharing links to the actor profiles and UGR project entries. Even though researchers’ profiles were created and UGR projects were listed on the Impronta Granada website, the visibility of these profiles needed more promotion within local councils and the broader community. Additionally, the active involvement of researchers in local projects requires clear communication and motivation to contribute to territorial development.

 

Tasks and resources

Scientists

  • Tasks
    • Prepare and deliver micropresentations
    • Provide research data and visual materials relevant to regional issues
    • Engage in follow-up collaborative projects with local actors

  • Required resources

    • Time allocation for research‑to‑action translation
    • Support materials (maps, visuals, data)
    • Ethical and institutional backing from UGR

Knowledge exchange managers and research managers

  • Tasks

    • Maintain and update the Excel registry
    • Manage the “Actor Profiles” and “UGR Project Entries” on the Impronta Granada website.
    • Organize the micropresentation session
    • Facilitate communication between researchers and local stakeholders

  • Required resources

    • Database and website maintenance tools
    • Logistical and technical support for events (venue, audiovisual equipment), follow-up communications

Policymakers

  • Tasks

    • Attend micropresentations and workshops
    • Identify research relevance for local policies and projects
    • Provide feedback and possibly resources to support research-based initiatives

  • Required resources

    • Institutional time allocation
    • Budgeting for pilot initiatives or collaborations
    • Channels for integrating research insights into municipal planning

 

Examples

1. Actor Profiles:

  • On the Impronta Granada website, the Actor Profiles directory enables filtering by institution, which helps researchers gain visibility and connect with local stakeholders
  • Example: Francisco Antonio Navarro Valverde – a researcher affiliated with UGR, listed under the UGR County Council of Poniente Granadino: Francisco Navarro Profile

2. UGR Projects Listed by County Councils:

  • The UGR Project Entries catalogue, geolocated by County Council, allows users to see where each research initiative is active – building a regional map of academic engagement and potential impact.
  • Example: UGR Archaeology Project.

3. The micropresentation session during the Second Impronta Granada meeting preceded the main Poniente Workshop, ensuring that researchers’ findings informed the debate and project proposals. According to the UGR news report, the event brought together institutional representatives, researchers, social agents, businesses, and citizens to tackle the main regional challenges with a focus on innovation, sustainability, and cultural/ecological wealth.

 

 

Sources and further reading

 

Case study details:

How was the format implemented?

The Poniente Workshop was preceded by two online preparatory meetings where UGR researchers and local stakeholders discussed regional challenges like sustainable tourism, heritage preservation, and economic development. An Excel database was created by Medialab UGR to map research expertise to specific territorial challenges, categorising projects by research topics, researcher affiliation, and the county council. This data laid the foundation for micropresentations at the Second Impronta Granada meeting, where selected researchers presented their work with visual materials to a broad audience, including local governments, businesses, and civil society.

In addition, researchers and projects were showcased on the Impronta Granada website, where actor profiles were created to highlight researchers’ expertise and county council affiliation, while UGR project entries were listed and geolocated, making it easy to connect researchers to local needs.

 

Available resources (main tasks)

●        Research dissemination. The Impronta Granada website served as a key tool for ensuring that UGR projects were visible and accessible. UGR project entries were created on the website, organised by UGR County Councils, which helped align academic research with local needs. These project entries were geolocated on an interactive map, allowing stakeholders to see exactly where research initiatives were being carried out in the Granada region.

●        Knowledge sharing. Micropresentations allowed researchers to directly engage with stakeholders by presenting their findings in an accessible format. These sessions facilitated cross-sector collaboration, ensuring that researchers were not only sharing knowledge but also learning from local needs and identifying areas of common interest.

 

What works? What doesn’t? (Lessons learnt)

What works

●        The Excel database was a successful tool in organising and categorising UGR research projects, making it easier to match researchers with local challenges

●        Actor profiles on the Impronta Granada website helped raise the visibility of researchers and foster collaboration between research institutions and local stakeholders

●        Micropresentations were effective in engaging a diverse audience, helping to bridge the gap between academic research and local policymaking by showcasing research projects alongside real-world applications

 

What doesn’t

●        Sustained engagement from researchers beyond the event remains challenging due to their academic workload and time constraints. Ensuring that these collaborations continue after the initial workshop requires dedicated follow-up activities and institutional support.

●        While the micropresentations facilitated initial engagement, the challenge lies in ensuring the long-term involvement of researchers in the implementation phase of local projects.

 

How  are the activities evaluated?

●        Feedback surveys were conducted to assess the effectiveness of the micropresentations and the research participation in the Poniente Workshop.

●        Follow-up surveys will be necessary to evaluate the long-term impact of research-driven solutions and the extent to which they have been implemented in local policy and community development.

 

Do you want to know more about the policy engagement toolkit?

Do you want to share your experience in policy engagement? Do you think about contributing to the policy engagement toolkit? Feel free to contact Tome Sandevski via science-policy@pvw.uni-frankfurt.de

How to Recruit Researchers as Participants

Written by Esteban Romero-Frías on . Posted in Content, Cross-Cutting Issues OV. No Comments on How to Recruit Researchers as Participants

Case Study of the Second Impronta Granada meeting and Poniente Workshop

 

Summary: Key features in a nutshell:

  • Objective: To successfully recruit researchers from the University of Granada (UGR) for collaborative territory-oriented projects with local governments, businesses, and civil society in the Poniente Granadino region.
  • Key Strategies
    • Online preparatory meetings to identify the most pressing regional challenges such as sustainable tourism, heritage preservation, and economic development and map existing research capacity
    • A curated Excel database compiling University of Granada’s researchers, projects and their associated County Council
    • Creation of actor profiles on the Impronta Granada website to improve the visibility of researchers and their alignment with specific County Councils
    • Use of UGR project entries on the website to highlight ongoing research projects, categorized by UGR County Councils and geolocated on an interactive map
    • Micropresentations (short talks) at the Second Impronta Granada Meeting showcasing selected research projects before the main Poniente workshop
  • Outcome: Enhanced researcher engagement; improved transparency of expertise; alignment between academic research and territorial development priorities; better informed, evidence‑based debate during the workshop

 

Description

Recruiting researchers from Universidad de Granada (UGR) to participate in regional governance and development initiatives is a key strategy to build a bridge between academic knowledge and local policy making.

UGR County Councils refers to the initiative led by the University of Granada (UGR) under the Erasmus+ ENGAGEgreen project, aiming to foster collaboration between academic researchers, local governments, and community stakeholders. This initiative focuses on addressing regional challenges through co-created, research-driven solutions. The Second Impronta Granada Meeting is the third pilot event organised by UGR as part of this project, bringing together researchers, policymakers, and local communities to discuss and develop strategies for sustainable development in rural and urban areas.

In the framework of the Second Impronta Granada Meeting (2 December 2025), through prior online preparatory meetings with UGR County Councils and the subsequent in‑person ‘Poniente Workshop’, researchers were actively integrated into a multi‑stakeholder process.

To operationalise this, an internal Medialab UGR compiled an internal Excel database – listing ongoing research projects, names of researchers, their associated County Council (comarca) and project status— which then served to design and schedule micropresentations of such projects during the in‑person event. The Excel registry was not a static tool but was continuously maintained and updated throughout the process to reflect confirmed participation, thematic relevance, and the evolving alignment between research projects and territorial needs. This mechanism fostered visibility, facilitated researcher‑stakeholder matching, and helped frame the workshop’s agenda around academically grounded proposals. The recruitment process was supported by creating actor profiles and listing UGR projects on the Impronta Granada website, where researchers and their ongoing work were made visible and accessible. These profiles allowed stakeholders from different sectors to identify relevant researchers for collaboration, and also to explore geolocated UGR projects that align with regional development needs.

 

How does the format work?

The recruitment of UGR researchers for the Poniente Workshop followed a clear and structured process:

 

1. Identification of needs & existing research

a. During the online preparatory meetings organised by by Medialab UGR within the framework of the Impronta Granada initiative, with various UGR County Councils (including those from Poniente), local actors and UGR researchers discussed regional challenges such as sustainable tourism, heritage preservation, economic revitalisation, demographic decline, migration, rural depopulation, cultural heritage protection, as well as green and digital transition issues, including climate adaptation, sustainable land use and the digitalisation of local services.

b. Concurrently, researchers presented ongoing investigations they were carrying out in the province of Granada, particularly in rural and comarca-based contexts (e.g., archaeology, sociology, environmental studies, heritage, tourism).

c. The outcomes of these meetings were recorded in a structured Excel spreadsheet, including researcher names, project titles, their associated comarca, and project status. This tool enabled mapping research capacity to territorial needs and selecting which researchers could contribute to specific themes.

 

2. Active recruitment and visibility:

a. Based on the Excel registry, Medialab UGR, within the framework of the Impronta Granada initiative, invited selected researchers to produce micropresentations to be delivered during the Second Impronta Granada meeting – before the main Poniente Workshop – giving them a platform to present their work to a broader audience of stakeholders (policymakers, civil society actors, local businesses).

b. Researchers were actively invited to collaborate by presenting their projects on the Impronta Granada website, where their research topics were categorised by UGR County Council and linked to relevant regional development initiatives. The actor profiles feature detailed information about the researchers and the UGR County Councils they belong to, which greatly facilitated the recruitment process.

  • Actor profiles. Researchers and other actors listed with affiliation, role, and County Council membership. The directory can be filtered by institution (University of Granada), profile (research center), and County Council affiliation on the Impronta Granada website: Impronta Granada Actor Profiles.
  • UGR project entries: a catalogue of research projects geolocated on a map and categorised by County Council, allowing users to see which investigations are active in which comarcas: UGR Projects in County Councils.

 

3. Micropresentations as Engagement Trigger

At the Second Impronta Granada meeting (Loja, 2 December 2025) – prior to the thematic Workshop for Poniente – a set of researchers presented short five-minute pitches about their projects. These micropresentations included visual material (maps, images, diagrams, etc.), introducing research outputs to non‑academic stakeholders and grounding workshop debates in empirical evidence. Among them:

  • La voz de las torres – The Voice of the Towers (Ana García)
  • El patrimonio arqueológico en la comarca del Poniente de Granada: desde su investigación hasta su difusión – Archaeological Heritage in the Poniente de Granada Region: From Research to Dissemination (Luca Mattei)
  • Excavación en la Mesa de Fornes – Excavation at Mesa de Fornes (Andrés Androher)
  • El “heheo” en el Poniente Granadino: un estudio sociolingüístico – The “Heheo” in the Poniente Granadino Region: A Sociolinguistic Study (María Cardenete)
  • Estación biológica de campo de la UGR “La Resinera” – UGR Field Biological Station “La Resinera” (Juan M. Pleguezuelos)
  • Volver a los Orígenes siendo Original – Returning to the Origins While Being Original (Eva Moreno Castillo)

 

4. Integration into the workshop discussion

After the micropresentations, the Poniente mesa de trabajo enabled a dialogue between researchers, policymakers, civil society, and local business representatives, facilitating co‑design of proposals and potential alignment of academic research with territorial plans for the Poniente region.

 

Challenges

●       Diversity of research profiles. Not all projects listed in the Excel database corresponded to active researchers; some belonged to other participating agents. This occurred because the initial registry was compiled using information gathered from open calls, preparatory meetings, and existing territorial project records, which included contributions from a wide range of actors. A subsequent verification process was therefore required to identify and prioritise research-active profiles.

●       Disparity of research themes vs. local needs. Some research lines (e.g., highly theoretical or disciplinary) did not fit neatly into actionable local policies or heritage/tourism proposals – requiring adaptation or translation into practical proposals.

●       Time & motivation constraints. Research staff face teaching and administrative duties which can limit their availability. In this case, the Excel registry and the online publication of researcher profiles were compiled and made available several weeks in advance of the Second Impronta Granada Meeting, which allowed for initial engagement but proved insufficient to guarantee long-term involvement beyond the event. Sustaining participation therefore requires greater anticipation as well as continued institutional and logistical support.

●       Visibility & communication. While the website and micropresentations improved exposure, ensuring that local government and civil society consistently consulted and used the registry requires ongoing effort and outreach. Promotion of the registry was mainly carried out through direct communication with local councils during preparatory meetings, presentations at the Second Impronta Granada Meeting, and targeted follow-up emails sharing links to the actor profiles and UGR project entries. Even though researchers’ profiles were created and UGR projects were listed on the Impronta Granada website, the visibility of these profiles needed more promotion within local councils and the broader community. Additionally, the active involvement of researchers in local projects requires clear communication and motivation to contribute to territorial development.

 

Tasks and resources

Scientists

  • Tasks
    • Prepare and deliver micropresentations
    • Provide research data and visual materials relevant to regional issues
    • Engage in follow-up collaborative projects with local actors
  • Required resources
    • Time allocation for research‑to‑action translation
    • Support materials (maps, visuals, data)
    • Ethical and institutional backing from UGR

Knowledge exchange managers and research managers

  • Tasks
    • Maintain and update the Excel registry
    • Manage the “Actor Profiles” and “UGR Project Entries” on the Impronta Granada website.
    • Organize the micropresentation session
    • Facilitate communication between researchers and local stakeholders
  • Requiredresources
    • Database and website maintenance tools
    • Logistical and technical support for events (venue, audiovisual equipment), follow-up communications

Policymakers

  • Tasks
    • Attend micropresentations and workshops
    • Identify research relevance for local policies and projects
    • Provide feedback and possibly resources to support research-based initiatives
  • Required resources
    • Institutional time allocation
    • Budgeting for pilot initiatives or collaborations
    • Channels for integrating research insights into municipal planning

 

Examples

Actor Profiles:

  • On the Impronta Granada website, the Actor Profiles directory enables filtering by institution, which helps researchers gain visibility and connect with local stakeholders
  • Example: Francisco Antonio Navarro Valverde – a researcher affiliated with UGR, listed under the UGR County Council of Poniente Granadino: Francisco Navarro Profile

UGR Projects Listed by County Councils:

  • The UGR Project Entries catalogue, geolocated by County Council, allows users to see where each research initiative is active – building a regional map of academic engagement and potential impact.
  • Example: UGR Archaeology Project.
  • The micropresentation session during the Second Impronta Granada meeting preceded the main Poniente Workshop, ensuring that researchers’ findings informed the debate and project proposals. According to the UGR news report, the event brought together institutional representatives, researchers, social agents, businesses, and citizens to tackle the main regional challenges with a focus on innovation, sustainability, and cultural/ecological wealth.

 

Sources and further reading

 

Case study details:

How was the format implemented?

The Poniente Workshop was preceded by two online preparatory meetings where UGR researchers and local stakeholders discussed regional challenges like sustainable tourism, heritage preservation, and economic development. An Excel database was created by Medialab UGR to map research expertise to specific territorial challenges, categorising projects by research topics, researcher affiliation, and the county council. This data laid the foundation for micropresentations at the Second Impronta Granada meeting, where selected researchers presented their work with visual materials to a broad audience, including local governments, businesses, and civil society.

In addition, researchers and projects were showcased on the Impronta Granada website, where actor profiles were created to highlight researchers’ expertise and county council affiliation, while UGR project entries were listed and geolocated, making it easy to connect researchers to local needs.

 

Available resources (main tasks)

●       Research dissemination. The Impronta Granada website served as a key tool for ensuring that UGR projects were visible and accessible. UGR project entries were created on the website, organised by UGR County Councils, which helped align academic research with local needs. These project entries were geolocated on an interactive map, allowing stakeholders to see exactly where research initiatives were being carried out in the Granada region.

●       Knowledge sharing. Micropresentations allowed researchers to directly engage with stakeholders by presenting their findings in an accessible format. These sessions facilitated cross-sector collaboration, ensuring that researchers were not only sharing knowledge but also learning from local needs and identifying areas of common interest.

 

What works? What doesn’t? (Lessons learnt)

What works

●       The Excel database was a successful tool in organising and categorising UGR research projects, making it easier to match researchers with local challenges

●       Actor profiles on the Impronta Granada website helped raise the visibility of researchers and foster collaboration between research institutions and local stakeholders

●       Micropresentations were effective in engaging a diverse audience, helping to bridge the gap between academic research and local policymaking by showcasing research projects alongside real-world applications

 

What doesn’t

●       Sustained engagement from researchers beyond the event remains challenging due to their academic workload and time constraints. Ensuring that these collaborations continue after the initial workshop requires dedicated follow-up activities and institutional support.

●       While the micropresentations facilitated initial engagement, the challenge lies in ensuring the long-term involvement of researchers in the implementation phase of local projects.

 

How  are the activities evaluated?

●       Feedback surveys were conducted to assess the effectiveness of the micropresentations and the research participation in the Poniente Workshop.

●       Follow-up surveys will be necessary to evaluate the long-term impact of research-driven solutions and the extent to which they have been implemented in local policy and community development.

How to Connect Research Expertise with Policy-Decision Making

Written by Esteban Romero-Frías on . Posted in Content, Cross-Cutting Issues OV. No Comments on How to Connect Research Expertise with Policy-Decision Making

Summary: Key Features in a Nutshell

●        Objective: To create a clear framework for effectively connecting academic research with policy development, ensuring that research data is used to inform local decisions

●        Approach: Strategies include regular engagement between researchers and policymakers, data dissemination through interactive workshops and consultations, and leveraging digital platforms to ensure continuous feedback

●        Outcome: The development of data-driven policies that align with local development goals, improving public services, economic growth, and sustainability at the regional level

 


Description

Connecting research expertise with policymaking at local levels is essential for ensuring that academic knowledge directly informs policy decisions that affect regional development. The process involves bridging the gap between scientific research and practical, actionable solutions that policymakers can implement. By integrating research into decision-making processes, it becomes possible to create evidence-based policies that are not only grounded in data but also tailored to address local needs. This contribution explores strategies for connecting researchers with local policymakers, facilitating effective communication, and utilising research data to shape policy decisions.

 

How does the format work?

1.       Researcher-policymaker interaction. The process is typically initiated and coordinated by knowledge exchange managers or research managers within the university who act as intermediaries between researchers and policymakers. They establish regular communication channels – such as interactive workshops, consultation sessions or collaborative planning meetings – where researchers are invited to present evidence and data that can directly inform local policy decisions.

2.       Using research data to influence policymaking at local levels. A critical component of this process is ensuring that research data be relevant and accessible to policymakers. This can be achieved through the creation of policy briefs, data visualisation tools, and interactive reports that distill complex research findings into actionable insights. Researchers can work with local governments to highlight key findings that address specific regional issues such as sustainability, economic development, and public health. For instance, researchers from the University of Granada could present socioeconomic research on local development trends linked to green and digital transitions, such as sustainable land use, climate adaptation, the digitalisation of public services or the digital divide, as well as research on archaeological heritage preservation, and offer data-driven recommendations that align with policy goals for urban renewal or cultural conservation.

3.       Feedback and continuous engagement. A successful research-policy connection requires ongoing engagement. Researchers should not only share their findings but also actively participate in the policy implementation process. This can be done through dialogue-oriented follow-up consultations, such as meetings or workshops with policymakers, which may be complemented by written feedback or short analytical notes. These interactions allow researchers to assess how their evidence has been applied and to adjust strategies accordingly. Continuous interaction between researchers and policymakers enables policies to be refined as new data emerges, ensuring that decisions remain flexible and responsive to evolving local needs.

4.       Using digital platforms for ongoing interaction. Digital platforms, such as the Impronta Granada website, play a crucial role in maintaining visibility for research projects and ensuring that research findings be continuously accessible to local stakeholders. For example, platforms like these allow researchers to share project updates, findings, and recommendations, making it easy for local policymakers to track research progress and align their policy decisions with the most current data.

 

Challenges

●        Complexity of research data. Academic research can often be complex, and translating it into clear, actionable policy recommendations for local governments can be challenging. Ensuring that researchers are able to simplify their findings while maintaining their scientific integrity is key to this process. For example, quantitative research on soil health, climate adaptation, or digital inclusion may need to be translated into clear indicators, visual summaries or policy briefs that highlight implications for local planning or service provision, rather than detailed methodological explanations.

●        Stakeholder engagement. Engaging policymakers in the research process is not always straightforward. Local authorities may have competing priorities, and integrating research expertise into policy frameworks may require significant effort to overcome bureaucratic barriers.

 

Tasks and resources

Scientists

●        Tasks

○        Present research findings

○        Create policy briefs

○        Engage in collaborative workshops with policymakers

●        Required resources

○        Time for research dissemination and participation in events

○        Communication tools for presenting research data to policymakers

Knowledge exchange managers and research managers

●        Tasks

○        Coordinate researcher involvement with local policymakers

○        Facilitate workshops

○        Ensure that research is accessible and relevant to local governance needs

●        Required resources

○        Digital platforms for research dissemination and ongoing feedback

○        Facilitation support for organizing collaborative workshops and consultations

Policymakers

●        Tasks

o   Integrate research data into local policies and allocate resources for research-driven initiatives.

●        Required resources

○        Policy expertise to interpret research data and incorporate it into decision making

○        Financial and administrative resources to support research applications in local development projects

 

Examples

UGR County Councils refers to the initiative led by the University of Granada (UGR) under the Erasmus+ ENGAGEgreen project, aiming to foster collaboration between academic researchers, local governments, and community stakeholders. This initiative focuses on addressing regional challenges through co-created, research-driven solutions. The Second Impronta Granada Meeting is the third pilot event organised by UGR as part of this project, bringing together researchers, policymakers, and local communities to discuss and develop strategies for sustainable development in rural and urban areas

The UGR County Councils initiative played a crucial role in connecting researchers with policymakers. Through online preparatory meetings and interactive workshops, the initiative was coordinated by the University of Granada through its knowledge exchange structures, which invited UGR researchers to showcase their research projects. These projects were mapped in an Excel database and shared through the Impronta Granada website. The website allowed policymakers to view actor profiles of UGR researchers, filter them by county council, and understand how their research aligned with territorial development needs. These efforts culminated in the Second Impronta Granada Meeting, where researchers presented their projects in micropresentations, directly engaging with local governments and businesses to discuss real-world applications of their findings. This process ensured that research data was accessible, visible, and integrated into the policy-making process at local levels.

 

Sources and further reading

 

Do you want to know more about the policy engagement toolkit?

Do you want to share your experience in policy engagement? Do you think about contributing to the policy engagement toolkit? Feel free to contact Tome Sandevski via science-policy@pvw.uni-frankfurt.de

Sustained Engagement in Science-Policy Dialogue through UGR County Councils

Written by Virginia Martínez Tudela on . Posted in Actors & Institutions cs - english, Content. No Comments on Sustained Engagement in Science-Policy Dialogue through UGR County Councils

Summary: Key features in a nutshell

  • Long-term engagement built around regional governance structures rather than single events
  • Regular interaction between researchers, policymakers, and local stakeholders
  • Combination of online coordination, in-person meetings, and public-facing activities
  • Strong institutional anchoring within the University of Granada and its social innovation strategy

 

Description

Sustained engagement refers to the ability to maintain long-term, continuous, and meaningful interaction between researchers, policymakers, and societal actors beyond isolated dialogue events. Within the framework of the Erasmus + ENGAGEgreen project, the UGR County Councils represent a governance-oriented approach designed to embed science-policy dialogue into regional structures, ensuring continuity over time. Rather than relying on one-off consultations, this model seeks to institutionalize engagement as a permanent process, aligned with regional priorities and supported by the University of Granada (UGR).

 

How does the format work?

The sustained engagement model of the UGR County Councils operates as a progressive and cumulative process. Regional challenges are jointly identified with local governments and stakeholders and then connected to relevant research expertise within the university. Engagement is maintained through recurring meetings, thematic working sessions, preparatory online workshops, and large-scale dialogue events such as the Impronta Granada Meetings. Digital tools support continuity by preserving institutional memory, ensuring visibility of actors and projects, and enabling ongoing interaction between events. Over time, this format allows relationships to mature and trust to be built, which is essential for effective science-policy collaboration.

 

Challenges

Achieving sustained engagement in science-policy dialogue is inherently challenging. One of the main difficulties lies in maintaining long-term commitment by both researchers and policymakers whose priorities, workloads, and institutional contexts may change over time. Political cycles, staff turnover, and limited incentives for academic engagement can disrupt continuity. Additionally, sustained engagement requires moving beyond short-term outputs and accepting that impact often emerges gradually, which may conflict with expectations for immediate results. Addressing these challenges requires stable coordination structures, institutional support, and clear long-term objectives.

 

Tasks and resources

Scientists

  • Tasks
    • Contribute research expertise aligned with regional challenges identified through the UGR County Councils
    • Participate in recurring dialogue activities (meetings, workshops, consultations) over time
    • Adapt research outputs to policy-relevant formats and long-term territorial priorities
  • Required Resources
    • Time allocated to sustained engagement beyond single events
    • Institutional recognition of science-policy dialogue activities
    • Communication and knowledge-sharing tools to interact with policymakers and stakeholders.

Knowledge exchange managers and research managers

  • Tasks
    • Coordinate sustained interaction between researchers, policymakers, and regional stakeholders
    • Facilitate dialogue processes, preparatory meetings, and follow-up activities
    • Translate research outputs into accessible, policy-relevant formats
    • Ensure continuity, documentation, and institutional memory across political and academic cycles
  • Required Resources
    • Dedicated staff time for coordination and facilitation
    • Digital platforms and tools to support communication, documentation, and visibility
    • Institutional support to maintain long-term engagement structures

Policymakers

  • Tasks
    • Identify and articulate medium- and long-term regional needs
    • Engage regularly with researchers through the UGR County Councils framework
    • Integrate research-based insights into local strategies and policy processes.
  • Required Resources
    • Time for participation in ongoing dialogue processes
    • Political and administrative support to ensure continuity across policy cycles
    • Access to synthesized research evidence relevant to territorial decision-making

 

How is the format conducted?

Sustained engagement within the UGR County Councils is conducted through a sequence of recurring activities that combine preparatory online meetings, in-person dialogue events, and continuous coordination between the University of Granada and regional actors. Interaction is distributed over time through periodic meetings, thematic working sessions, and large-scale encounters such as the Impronta Granada Meetings. This approach allows relationships between researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders to mature gradually, supporting trust-building, shared learning, and the progressive alignment of research expertise with regional priorities.

 

Available resources (what are the main tasks?)

Researchers contribute by sharing ongoing research aligned with territorial challenges and by participating in dialogue processes over time. Knowledge exchange managers and research managers coordinate interaction between actors, facilitate meetings, translate research outputs into accessible formats, and ensure continuity and documentation across political and academic cycles. Policymakers articulate regional priorities, participate regularly in dialogue activities, and integrate research-based insights into local strategies and decision-making processes. The format relies on sustained coordination capacity, institutional support from the University of Granada, and digital tools that enable communication, visibility, and follow-up.

 

What works? What doesn’t? (Lessons learnt)

What works is the progressive consolidation of the UGR County Councils as stable governance structures for science-policy dialogue. During 2025, several milestones demonstrated growing participation, institutional anchoring, and public visibility. The initiative was officially launched in January 2025 at the First Impronta Granada Meeting, bringing together more than 80 UGR researchers and local representatives. In July 2025, the First County Councils Regional Meeting (Costa Tropical) strengthened cross-council dialogue, showcased ongoing projects, and fostered closer cooperation between municipalities and researchers. Two interactive working sessions held in November 2025 enabled representatives of the ten councils to review priorities, share knowledge, and prepare the December meeting. These efforts culminated in the Second Impronta Granada Meeting (December 2025, Loja), a major in-person gathering with thematic working tables on mobility, rural women, employment, agriculture, and sustainability, consolidating the Councils as an active governance network. Complementary scientific and regional activities, such as seminars addressing concrete local needs, further reinforced the regional ecosystem.

From a communication perspective, sustained engagement is reinforced by the use of institutional communication channels managed by Medialab UGR, Social Innovation Lab of the University of Granada, such as the Impronta Granada website, social media profiles (Medialab UGR’s LinkedIn  account, Impronta Granada’s Instagram account, Medialab UGR’s Instagram account, Medialab X’s account, Impronta Granada’s X account), and audio dissemination channels (Radiolab UGR’s Spreaker Account and Radiolab UGR’s Spotify account. As these channels are structurally embedded within the University, they remain active beyond the duration of individual projects, contributing to the long-term sustainability of the initiative. Participants regularly use these platforms to disseminate activities, announce science-policy dialogue events, and share territorial initiatives related to research and public decision making. This continuous use of shared communication spaces strengthens visibility, facilitates coordination among actors, and supports the consolidation of the UGR County Councils as a permanent science-policy interface at the territorial level.

Continuing challenges are sustaining long-term engagement in the face of academic workloads, changing political cycles, and the need for stable incentives and institutional support to ensure continuity beyond individual events.

How the activities evaluated?

Evaluation of sustained engagement is structured around short-, medium-, and long-term objectives.

In the short term (by 2026), evaluation focuses on the consolidation of ten County Councils as stable governance structures representing all regions of Granada, the active participation of more than 200 stakeholders (including researchers, policymakers, businesspeople, and citizens), the creation of at least two pilot projects addressing regional priorities such as sustainable mobility, rural depopulation, cultural heritage, and agro-ecological innovation, and the strengthening of the institutional image of the University of Granada as a leader in social innovation and regional collaboration. These aspects are assessed through participation data and impact evaluation surveys.

In the medium term (2026–2030), evaluation looks at the creation of Impronta Regional Development Centers in collaboration with the Diputación de Granada, the integration of the County Councils as a permanent advisory and cooperation mechanism within the University’s governance model, the increased inclusion of regional challenges in research, innovation, and teaching agendas, and the strengthening of alliances with regional and European institutions to cofund and scale initiatives.

In the long term (beyond 2030), evaluation focuses on the institutionalization of the County Councils as a transferable model of university-community collaboration, the consolidation and expansion of the Impronta Regional Development Centers as long-term infrastructural nodes for regional innovation and civic collaboration, and their contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals and the Andalusian Smart Specialization Strategy, embedding sustainability and participation into public decision making.

 

Do you want to know more about the policy engagement toolkit?

Do you want to share your experience in policy engagement? Do you think about contributing to the policy engagement toolkit? Feel free to contact Tome Sandevski via science-policy@pvw.uni-frankfurt.de

Drought: A Comprehensive Approach from the Peninsula

Written by Enol Nieto Jiménez on . Posted in Content, Dialogue-Oriented Formats CS. No Comments on Drought: A Comprehensive Approach from the Peninsula

A Practical Example of Science-Policy Dialogue for Territorial Drought Governance.

Description

This contribution presents a structured example of a science-policy webinar format applied to a highly sensitive societal challenge: drought and water scarcity in Spain. The webinar “Drought: A Comprehensive Approach from the Peninsula (Sequía: un abordaje integral desde la Península Ibérica) was organized at a time of relative calm, when the slowdown in the depletion of water reserves created the illusion that the emergency had eased.  The structural and environmental conditions behind drought remain unchanged, however, reinforcing the need to reflect precisely during these brief periods of apparent normality. The session proposed an integral perspective that brings together natural and social knowledge, compares territorial realities and, above all, fosters direct dialogue between scientists and policymakers. Through guiding questions, the webinar explored the question whether scientific insights are reaching political arenas, which barriers public administrations face, and how long-term thinking can be incorporated into decision-making processes typically dominated by short-term urgency.

 

 

Summary:

  • Structural moment of discussion: Held during a temporary respite in drought conditions, enabling medium- and long-term reflections
  • Integral approach: Combines the environmental, social, and territorial dimensions of drought
  • Science-policy interface: Designed to connect researchers and public administrations through a shared set of guiding questions
  • Regional comparison: Incorporates insights from different regions to illustrate diverse challenges and governance contexts
  • Focus on decision-making barriers: Examines obstacles faced by policymakers when implementing research-based recommendations
  • Long-term perspective: Emphasizes the need to move beyond emergency-driven responses toward structural, future-oriented strategies

 

How does the format work?

The session was organized into three consecutive blocks designed to progressively deepen the collective understanding of drought governance:

  1. Shared framing and territorial diagnoses
  2. From challenges to possible solutions
  3. Open dialogue with participants

The moderator played a central role and was explicitly designed to maintain a balanced alternation between scientific perspectives and political viewpoints, preventing disciplinary silos and ensuring a fluid, dynamic exchange. Aglobal-to-local approach was employed: beginning with the structural dimensions of drought under global change, then introducing three territorial contexts (Catalonia, Granada, and Madrid), and finally opening the discussion to thematic experts in governance, ecology, and environmental history.

To guide the debate, the webinar relied on a set of core questions that structured the interaction between speakers. These questions were tailored to each type of participant:

  • For researchers: Are your scientific proposals reaching the political level? What tools or forms of support would you need from public administrations to translate your innovations into practice?
  • For policymakers and public administration representatives: What barriers do you encounter when attempting to integrate academic insights into policy? What were the main difficulties that emerged during the last drought in terms of decision making?
  • For all participants: How can long-term, structural perspectives be incorporated into political environments that often operate under urgent or short timeframes? Would it be feasible or desirable to apply innovations from other territories to your own context?

This format enabled a clear, focused dialogue that linked structural challenges with practical constraints, helping identify common issues and potential avenues for science-policy collaboration.

 

Challenges

  • Time constraints: Limited time reduces the depth of technical exchanges, making it difficult to expand on complex scientific or administrative issues
  • Institutional barriers: Policymakers face structural or administrative constraints that limit the uptake of scientific proposals, even when there is interest or political will
  • Communication gaps: Differences in language, priorities, and timeframes between academia and public administration can hinder mutual understanding
  • Need for focused messages: Clear guidance is required to keep contributions concise and avoid fragmentation of the dialogue
  • Uneven territorial capacities: Regions differ in technical, administrative, and environmental respects, which complicates the transferability of solutions
  • Difficulty integrating long-term perspectives: Structural approaches often clash with short-term political cycles and emergency-driven decision making

 

Tasks and resources

Scientists

  • Prepare concise, policy-relevant summaries of research findings on drought, water management and systemic impacts
  • Provide territorial diagnoses and evidence-based explanations of structural drivers
  • Respond to targeted questions from policymakers and engage in cross-territorial comparison
  • Identify innovations or successful practices that may be transferable to other regions

Knowledge exchange managers and research managers

  • Design the structure of the session, ensuring balanced alternation between scientific and political voices
  • Facilitate communication before, during, and after the event, including follow-up emails and potential collaboration links
  • Prepare guiding questions, contextual framing, and flow (global → regional → local)
  • Support the creation of accessible materials, summaries, and visual resources for the audience

Policymakers

  • Present the institutional and regional context of drought management
  • Identify operational constraints, administrative barriers, and lessons learned from past decision making cycles.
  • Engage with researchers to assess the feasibility of implementing scientific proposals
  • Contribute local experiences that complement scientific evidence

 

Case studies

Webinar “Drought: A Comprehensive Approach from the Peninsula” (Sequía: un abordaje integral desde la Península Ibérica)

  • Date and time: September 24, 2024, 6:00 PM
  • Organized by: Erasmus+ ENGAGEgreen, a joint collaboration between the University of Granada and BETA, from the University of Vic.

 

Participants

  • Nuria Hernández-Mora: PhD in geography, researcher and consultant specializing in water governance, and a member of the Fundación Nueva Cultura del Agua
  • Javier García Martínez: Head of the Urban Water Cycle Service (Servicio del Ciclo Urbano del Agua) at the Provincial Council of Granada
  • José Luis Nieto Bueno: Councilor for Más Madrid in the Madrid City Council and Spokesperson for the Urban Planning, Environment, and Mobility Committee; he holds a PhD in biology.
  • Lorenzo Proia: Coordinator of the Applied Ecology and Global Change Unit at the BETA Technological Center, University of Vic.
  • Fernando Delgado Ramos: Director of Cátedra del Agua at the University of Granada.
  • Antonio Ortega Santos: Full Professor of Contemporary History at the University of Granada.

 

Available resources (what are the main tasks)

 

What worked

  • Alternating science and policy ensured a fluid, dynamic format
  • Comparing regions highlighted shared challenges and contextual differences
  • The moderator played a key role in keeping messages concise and interconnected
  • Shared conclusions emphasized:
    • urgency of systemic, structural approaches
    • participatory governance
    • limits to demand growth
    • water as a commons
    • need for multilevel coordination

 

What doesn’t & lessons learnt

  • Value of territorial diversity: Comparing different regions provided clear added value, revealing both shared structural challenges and region-specific dynamics
  • Global–to–local framing: Moving from overarching structural issues to concrete local cases helped expand the perspectives of all actors and connect scientific evidence to regional realities
  • Role of facilitators: Effective moderation requires a strong understanding of the global context, normative frameworks and the ability to link contributions across disciplines and regions; the mediators or knowledge brokers should have a broad context of the topics and the main debates
  • Foundations for future collaborations: These encounters can initiate new connections between researchers and policymakers, provided follow-up is supported (e.g., exchanging contacts, identifying thematic overlaps, and encouraging continued communication)
  • Transferable innovations: Sharing successful practices and innovations from different regions helps participants identify feasible pathways for improving drought governance in their own contexts
  • Time limitations: Limited time reduces the depth of technical exchanges and may constrain complex discussions
  • Institutional constraints: Policymakers often face structural or administrative barriers that limit the uptake of scientific proposals
  • Need for clear guidance: Providing concise instructions and time limits helps speakers keep their messages focused and ensures a balanced, coherent dialogue

 

How the activities evaluated?

The webinar highlighted the critical and non-postponable nature of the current drought situation, reinforcing the need for structural rather than reactive responses. Dialogue between political and academic spheres proved increasingly permeable, showing that collaborative approaches are both possible and necessary. Participants also stressed that water demand cannot continue to grow, pointing towards the need for a profound structural rethinking of current models.

A key insight was the importance of regional specificity: the challenges faced in Madrid differ significantly from those in smaller municipalities, making local perspectives essential for designing effective policies. Finally, the discussion underscored the relevance of social actor involvement as addressing drought requires engaging communities and local stakeholders in decision-making processes.

 

Do you want to know more about the policy engagement toolkit?

Do you want to share your experience in policy engagement? Do you think about contributing to the policy engagement toolkit? Feel free to contact Tome Sandevski via science-policy@pvw.uni-frankfurt.de

Quadruple Helix Stakeholders Format / Living Labs

Written by Virginia Martínez Tudela on . Posted in Content, Dialogue-Oriented Formats CS. No Comments on Quadruple Helix Stakeholders Format / Living Labs

Case Study of the Second Impronta Granada Meeting and Poniente Workshop

Description

The Quadruple Helix (QH) model fosters collaboration between four key stakeholders: academia, government, industry, and civil society. The Living Lab methodology allows these groups to cocreate solutions in real-world settings.

UGR County Councils refers to the initiative led by the University of Granada (UGR) under the Erasmus+ ENGAGEgreen project, aiming to foster collaboration between academic researchers, local governments, and community stakeholders. This initiative focuses on addressing regional challenges through cocreated, research-driven solutions. The Second Impronta Granada Meeting is the third pilot event organized by UGR as part of this project, bringing together researchers, policymakers, and local communities to discuss and develop strategies for sustainable development in rural and urban areas

The Poniente Workshop, part of the Second Impronta Granada meeting, serves as a case study of how these two frameworks work together to address regional challenges in the Poniente Granadino region. The event brought together policymakers, academics, local businesses, and citizens working together to identify shared needs, propose solutions, and codesign initiatives for the region’s sustainable development.

In the run-up to the workshop, two online meetings with the UGR County Councils from the Poniente region and other areas were held to identify the key themes that would be presented at the meeting. These discussions helped shape the agenda and guided the workshop’s focus on sustainable development, regional identity, and regional collaboration.

 

 

Summary: Key features in a nutshell

  • Stakeholders involved: University of Granada (UGR), local governments (Diputación de Granada, municipalities), local businesses, civil society organizations, and citizens
  • Objective: To identify common challenges and to cocreate actionable solutions for regional problems related to depopulation, local heritage, tourism, and economic development
  • Format: An interactive workshop, with cocreation activities, and panel discussions, building on findings from two preparatory online meetings
  • Outcome: Development of practical initiatives such as intergenerational housing, tourism revitalization, integration of local knowledge, and cultural heritage preservation

 

How does the format work?

The Poniente Workshop followed the Quadruple Helix (QH) model, with active participation from governmental actors, academia, local businesses, and civil society

  1. Government: Local councils and the Diputación de Granada provided policy frameworks, funding, and regional development goals.
  2. Academia: Experts from the University of Granada (UGR) shared research findings on cultural heritage, socioeconomic development, and sustainable tourism.
  3. Civil Society: Organizations like Tierra de Aguas and local communities represented the needs of the population and their vision for the future of the Poniente region.
  4. Local Businesses: Entrepreneurs discussed how to connect local products and services to sustainable tourism models and the economic revitalization of the area.

 

Challenges

  • Coordination Complexity: Despite efforts, coordination between stakeholders remains a challenge due to the complexity of local governance structures, funding dynamics, and the differing goals of each actor
  • Sustainability: The main challenge lies in maintaining long-term commitment to initiatives as most projects are funded on a short-term basis and lack a continuous funding strategy
  • Stakeholder Engagement: The need to engage local businesses and the broader community remains difficult, especially in marginalized areas or regions where public participation is low

 

Tasks and resources

Scientists

  • Tasks
    • Contributing research insights on socioeconomic development, cultural heritage, and sustainable tourism; providing evidence for policymaking
  • Required resources
    • Time for fieldwork and data collection
    • Collaboration with local governments to align research with practical solutions
    • Support for disseminating research findings to local stakeholders

Knowledge exchange managers and research managers

  • Tasks
    • Organizing stakeholder meetings
    • Disseminating research findings
    • Ensuring communication between academia, government, and civil society
  • Required resources
    • Digital platforms (e.g., webinars, forums) to facilitate communication
    • Organizational resources for managing the events and sustaining long-term initiatives

Policymakers

  • Tasks
    • Defining regional policy frameworks
    • Providing financial support for local initiatives
    • Ensuring alignment with local and EU development goals
  • Required resources
    • Policy expertise and administrative capacity for effective project management
    • Financial support and allocation of resources to ongoing initiatives
    • Time to participate in meetings, workshops, and planning sessions

 

Examples

  1. Living Lab Example:The Poniente Workshop served as a Living Lab where stakeholders codesigned solutions for regional development; projects such as intergenerational housing models and sustainable tourism programs were suggested based on real-world challenges presented during the workshop
  2. Research-based example
  • Research conducted by the University of Granada (UGR) on cultural heritage preservation informed the creation of strategies for preserving the region’s history while simultaneously boosting local economies
  • Academic contributions, such as sociodemographic studies on depopulation, provided the foundation for formulating strategies that directly addressed the region’s challenges.

 

Sources and further reading

Official coverage of the Second Impronta Granada meeting – University and Territory event: https://improntagranada.es/impronta/ii-impronta-granada-meeting-strengthens-the-university-territory-alliance-in-loja/

Case Study Details

How is the Format Conducted?

  • The Poniente Workshop followed a structured format of an interactive session with micropresentations, group work, and panel discussions; prior to the event, two preparatory online meetings helped define key themes, such as sustainable tourism, youth retention, and economic revitalization, which were then discussed in greater depth during the event

Available Resources (Main Tasks)

  • Coordination between local councils, researchers, and civil society is key to ensuring sustainability and relevance of the projects
  • Research dissemination through the University of Granada (UGR) to share key findings with all stakeholders and design solutions that align with regional needs

What works? What doesn’t? (Lessons learnt)

  • What works: The QH model of collaboration was effective in fostering dialogue and co-creation among diverse stakeholders; bringing together a variety of stakeholders with shared interests can lead to effective co-creation of solutions. The Living Lab approach allows for real-time feedback
  • What doesn’t work: Coordination remains a challenge, and stakeholder engagement continues to be difficult, especially with local businesses and marginalized groups; besides, ensuring sustainability and long-term engagement from stakeholders is challenging, particularly when there are limited resources

 

How are the activities evaluated?

  • Evaluating the success of the Living Lab requires monitoring stakeholder engagement and the implementation of solutions post-workshop
  • Feedback will be gathered through surveys and follow-up workshops to assess the long-term impact of the initiatives launched

 

Do you want to know more about the policy engagement toolkit?

Do you want to share your experience in policy engagement? Do you think about contributing to the policy engagement toolkit? Feel free to contact Tome Sandevski via science-policy@uni-frankfurt.de

How to Plan Follow-Up Activities

Written by Virginia Martínez Tudela on . Posted in Content, Dialogue-Oriented Formats CS. No Comments on How to Plan Follow-Up Activities

A Case Study of the Second Impronta Granada Meeting and Entrepreneurship and Employability Workshop

Description

UGR County Councils refers to the initiative led by the University of Granada (UGR) under the Erasmus+ ENGAGEgreen project, which aims to foster collaboration between academic researchers, local governments, and community stakeholders. This initiative focuses on addressing regional challenges through cocreated, research-driven solutions. The Second Impronta Granada Meeting is the third pilot event organized by UGR as part of this project, bringing together researchers, policymakers, and local communities to discuss and develop strategies for sustainable development in rural and urban areas.

Planning effective follow-up activities is essential to ensuring that the momentum generated by participatory events like the Entrepreneurship and Employability Workshop that took place at the Second Impronta Granada Meeting is sustained and transformed into long-term, actionable outcomes. The UGR County Councils initiative, along with the Second Impronta Granada Meeting, demonstrates how follow-up activities can provide continuous engagement between researchers, local governments, and youth participants to address employment and entrepreneurship challenges in rural regions. Follow-up actions help evaluate the success of proposed solutions and allow for adjustments as the community works together to overcome challenges and build sustainable initiatives.

 

Summary: Key features in a nutshell

  • Objective: To design and implement follow-up activities that maintain engagement with local stakeholders and ensure sustainability in addressing employment and entrepreneurship issues
  • Approach:
    • Post-event surveys to evaluate the effectiveness of proposals
    • Ongoing collaboration between UGR researchers, policymakers, and local businesses
    • Visibility of outcomes through digital platforms like the Impronta Granada website
  • Outcome: Creation of long-term initiatives that reflect collaborative solutions and tackle local development challenges

 

How does the format work?

  1. Planning post-event engagement: After the  Entrepreneurship and Employability Workshop, the follow-up phase ensures that all stakeholders stay engaged. This can be achieved through feedback loops like surveys and online discussions on platforms such as the Impronta Granada website. Feedback helps refine the solutions discussed during the event and provides participants an opportunity to reflect on the progress made.
  2. Collecting feedback and evaluating impact: Post-event surveys and interviews can be used to measure the effectiveness of the proposed solutions. These tools help identify gaps in implementation and areas that require additional attention. For instance, participants could be asked if the entrepreneurship programs presented in the workshop were accessible and if they helped overcome barriers to starting businesses in rural areas.
  3. Visibility and continuous engagement: Using digital platforms like the Impronta Granada website, researchers and policymakers can continue the dialogue after the event by updating project progress and sharing outcomes. This transparency keeps the community informed and ensures that everyone is working towards common goals.
  4. Sustaining collaboration: Long-term engagement requires regular communication. After the II Encuentro Impronta Granada, stakeholders can continue collaborating through follow-up workshops, networking events, or virtual consultations, where ideas and solutions can be refined using feedback from the initial event.

 

Challenges

  • Sustaining participation: Keeping stakeholders engaged long-term can be difficult due to time constraints, especially for researchers and policymakers who have other responsibilities
  • Resource availability: Limited funding and resources can make consistent implementation of follow-up activities challenging
  • Managing expectations: Ensuring that stakeholders’ expectations align with what can be realistically achieved in the follow-up phase is crucial to avoiding disillusionment

 

Tasks and resources

Scientists

  • Tasks
    • Support data collection
    • Participate in follow-up workshops
    • Share updates on research progress
  • Required resources
    • Time for research dissemination and follow-up consultations

Knowledge exchange managers and research managers

  • Tasks
    • Coordinate online feedback.
    • Manage communication platforms
    • Facilitate follow-up events
  • Required resources
    • Digital tools (e.g., websites, survey tools)

Policymakers

  • Tasks
    • Monitor progress.
    • Allocate resources
    • Ensure that research findings are integrated into policy decisions
  • Required resources
    • Financial and administrative support for post-event actions

 

Examples

  1. Impronta Granada website: The Impronta Granada website allowed continuous engagement after the  Entrepreneurship and Employability Workshop where researchers shared updates, progress reports, and new insights, allowing policymakers and businesses could stay informed and involved.
  2. Follow-up surveys: After the Second Encuentro Impronta Granada, surveys were used to assess the effectiveness of entrepreneurship programs and youth employment initiatives discussed during the event, with feedback used to refine the proposals and ensure that they met local needs.

 

Sources and further reading


Case study details:

How is the format implemented?

Follow-up activities are initiated post-dialogue events to ensure the connection between researchers and policymakers is maintained. For example, after the Second Impronta Granada Meeting, researchers were invited to submit further proposals for collaboration based on the feedback received from policymakers and stakeholders. This ensured that both parties could review and refine their engagements.

Available resources (main tasks):

  • Collecting feedback from participants to assess the relevance of research presentations
  • Facilitating ongoing dialogue via online platforms like Impronta Granada to track progress
  • Organizing further collaborative meetings based on the discussions at the events

 

What works? What doesn’t? (Lessons Learnt):

What works:

Using structured online platforms such as Impronta Granada to continue discussions beyond events ensures that the momentum of the workshops and discussions is not lost.

What doesn’t work:

It’s challenging to maintain sustained participation by policymakers after the events due to their varying commitments and workloads.

How are the activities evaluated?

The follow-up activities were evaluated using feedback surveys sent to both researchers and policymakers, to gauge how well the research had impacted local policymaking. Follow-up surveys assessed the continuation of collaboration, the implementation of knowledge, and the development of new projects or initiatives inspired by the initial discussions.

 

Do you want to know more about the policy engagement toolkit?

Do you want to share your experience in policy engagement? Do you think about contributing to the policy engagement toolkit? Feel free to contact Tome Sandevski via science-policy@pvw.uni-frankfurt.de

How to Organise Dialogue Events in regional Capitals

Written by Virginia Martínez Tudela on . Posted in Content, Dialogue-Oriented Formats CS. No Comments on How to Organise Dialogue Events in regional Capitals

Case Study of the Second Impronta Granada Meeting and Entrepreneurship and Employability Workshop

Description

Organizing dialogue events in capitals or key urban areas requires a structured approach that balances the needs of local stakeholders with the goals of policymakers. These events provide a platform for researchers, businesses, and policymakers to co-create solutions for pressing territorial challenges, ensuring that the voice of the community is heard and considered. This contribution discusses strategies for organizing dialogue events in urban centers and leveraging them to foster inclusive policymaking in the context of entrepreneurship and youth employment.

 

Summary: Key Features in a Nutshell:

  • Objective: To create an effective structure for dialogue events that connect local stakeholders with policymakers to co-create sustainable solutions for employment and entrepreneurship.
  • Approach:
    • Clear goals for the event to align academic research with policy priorities.
    • Multi-stakeholder workshops to foster collaborative solutions.
    • Use of interactive tools (e.g., micropresentations, polling, feedback sessions) to ensure active participation.
  • Outcome: A transparent and inclusive process where local challenges are addressed through policy-driven solutions that are informed by academic research and local expertise.

 

How Does the Format Work?

  1. Setting Clear Objectives: Before the event, it is essential to define the goals and outcomes expected from the dialogue event. For the Entrepreneurship and Employability Workshop, the goal was to address youth unemployment and promote entrepreneurship in the Poniente Granadino region by involving UGR researchers, local businesses, and policymakers.
  2. Interactive Sessions and Workshops: During the event, interactive workshops and micropresentations were organized to encourage real-time feedback. Researchers shared data and insights, while policymakers discussed policy frameworks and how these could be integrated with academic findings to create actionable strategies.
  3. Engagement with Local and National Stakeholders: It is important to include both local actors and national policymakers in the discussion. The Entrepreneurship and Employability Workshop in Granada connected local youth and policymakers with national representatives, ensuring that the solutions developed were relevant and feasible at both levels.
  4. Post-Event Engagement: Ensuring that the event leads to sustained collaboration is key. Follow-up activities, including workshops and feedback surveys, should be planned to ensure that policymakers and researchers continue to collaborate after the event.

Challenges:

  • Managing Expectations: Different stakeholders have different expectations. Policymakers may focus on policy alignment while researchers may prioritize data accuracy. Balancing these priorities requires careful facilitation.
  • Sustaining Momentum: Keeping the engagement high after the initial dialogue event requires consistent follow-up, which may be hindered by time constraints or budget limitations.

Tasks and Resources:

Scientists

  • Tasks:
    • Present research findings relevant to youth employment and entrepreneurship.
    • Provide data-driven solutions for local development challenges.
    • Engage in workshops and policy discussions.
  • Required Resources:
    • Time for research dissemination and participation in events.
    • Communication tools for presenting research data and engaging with stakeholders.

Knowledge exchange managers and research managers

  • Tasks
    • Facilitate interactive workshops and ensure researcher-policymaker interaction.
    • Organize feedback loops and ensure ongoing communication post-event.
  • Required Resources:
    • Digital platforms for research dissemination and ongoing feedback.
    • Logistical support for organizing sessions and ensuring active participation.

Policymakers

  • Tasks:
    • Integrate research findings into local policies and allocate resources to support research-driven initiatives.
    • Ensure long-term collaboration between researchers and local communities.
  • Required Resources:
    • Policy expertise to interpret research data and incorporate it into decision-making.
    • Financial resources for post-event actions and implementation.

 

Examples

UGR County Councils refers to the initiative led by the University of Granada (UGR) under the ENGAGEgreen project, aiming to foster collaboration between academic researchers, local governments, and community stakeholders. This initiative focuses on addressing territorial challenges through co-created, research-driven solutions. The Second Impronta Granada Meeting is the third pilot event organized by UGR as part of this project, bringing together researchers, policymakers, and local communities to discuss and develop strategies for sustainable development in rural and urban areas.

The Entrepreneurship and Employability Workshop, which took place at the Second Impronta Granada meeting, successfully organized multi-stakeholder dialogues in an urban setting, enabling researchers, policymakers, and youth participants to collaborate in addressing employment and entrepreneurship challenges. The event’s interactive workshops helped align research with local policy, paving the way for further collaboration.

Sources and Further Reading

 

Case Study Details

How is the Format Conducted

Dialogue events in capitals, such as the Second Impronta Granada Meeting in Loja, combine workshops, networking sessions, and presentations. These events are organized with a mix of in-person and virtual participation to ensure accessibility for a broader audience. The inclusion of policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders from civil society allows for multi-dimensional dialogue on issues such as climate change, urban development, and social innovation.

For this event, an innovative dialogue event was held, where a combination of physical and virtual formats allowed for maximum participation from stakeholders. Researchers from the University of Granada and other partner universities participated by showcasing their work in thematic workshops. The event included a series of discussions, policy briefs, and presentations, as well as the important inclusion of local policymakers through the Impronta Granada platform, which bridges the gap between the academic community and decision-makers.

 

Available Resources (Main Tasks)

  • Securing venues in capital cities for large-scale meetings.
  • Coordinating with stakeholders from local and regional governments, universities, and research institutes.
  • Using online platforms such as Impronta Granada to promote dialogue and share research outcomes with a wider audience.

 

What Works? What Doesn’t? (Lessons Learnt)

What works:

The hybrid event format (in-person + online) allowed for wide participation and dynamic interaction. Micropresentations were particularly successful in translating research data into actionable policy recommendations.

What doesn’t work:

Sustaining momentum after the event remains challenging, particularly in ensuring long-term involvement from policymakers who face competing priorities. Additionally, ensuring equal participation across all sectors, especially among local businesses, can be difficult in regions with fewer resources.

How Do You Evaluate the Activities:

To evaluate the effectiveness of the dialogue events, surveys were distributed to all participants to assess their satisfaction with the format, content, and overall engagement. Key indicators such as the number of new collaborations formed, and the implementation of research insights into local policies, were also tracked to assess long-term impact.

 

Do you want to know more about the policy engagement toolkit?

Do you want to share your experience in policy engagement? Do you think about contributing to the policy engagement toolkit? Feel free to contact Tome Sandevski via science-policy@pvw.uni-frankfurt.de

How to Connect Research Expertise with Policy-Decision Making

Written by Virginia Martínez Tudela on . Posted in Content, Dialogue-Oriented Formats CS. No Comments on How to Connect Research Expertise with Policy-Decision Making

Summary: Key Features in a Nutshell

●       Objective: To create a clear framework for effectively connecting academic research with policy development, ensuring that research data is used to inform local decisions

●       Approach: Strategies include regular engagement between researchers and policymakers, data dissemination through interactive workshops and consultations, and leveraging digital platforms to ensure continuous feedback

●       Outcome: The development of data-driven policies that align with local development goals, improving public services, economic growth, and sustainability at the regional level

Description

Connecting research expertise with policymaking at local levels is essential for ensuring that academic knowledge directly informs policy decisions that affect regional development. The process involves bridging the gap between scientific research and practical, actionable solutions that policymakers can implement. By integrating research into decision-making processes, it becomes possible to create evidence-based policies that are not only grounded in data but also tailored to address local needs. This contribution explores strategies for connecting researchers with local policymakers, facilitating effective communication, and utilising research data to shape policy decisions.

 

How does the format work?

1.      Researcher-policymaker interaction. The process is typically initiated and coordinated by knowledge exchange managers or research managers within the university who act as intermediaries between researchers and policymakers. They establish regular communication channels – such as interactive workshops, consultation sessions or collaborative planning meetings – where researchers are invited to present evidence and data that can directly inform local policy decisions.

 

2.      Using research data to influence policymaking at local levels. A critical component of this process is ensuring that research data be relevant and accessible to policymakers. This can be achieved through the creation of policy briefs, data visualisation tools, and interactive reports that distill complex research findings into actionable insights. Researchers can work with local governments to highlight key findings that address specific regional issues such as sustainability, economic development, and public health. For instance, researchers from the University of Granada could present socioeconomic research on local development trends linked to green and digital transitions, such as sustainable land use, climate adaptation, the digitalisation of public services or the digital divide, as well as research on archaeological heritage preservation, and offer data-driven recommendations that align with policy goals for urban renewal or cultural conservation.

 

3.      Feedback and continuous engagement. A successful research-policy connection requires ongoing engagement. Researchers should not only share their findings but also actively participate in the policy implementation process. This can be done through dialogue-oriented follow-up consultations, such as meetings or workshops with policymakers, which may be complemented by written feedback or short analytical notes. These interactions allow researchers to assess how their evidence has been applied and to adjust strategies accordingly. Continuous interaction between researchers and policymakers enables policies to be refined as new data emerges, ensuring that decisions remain flexible and responsive to evolving local needs.

 

4.      Using digital platforms for ongoing interaction. Digital platforms, such as the Impronta Granada website, play a crucial role in maintaining visibility for research projects and ensuring that research findings be continuously accessible to local stakeholders. For example, platforms like these allow researchers to share project updates, findings, and recommendations, making it easy for local policymakers to track research progress and align their policy decisions with the most current data.


Challenges

●       Complexity of research data. Academic research can often be complex, and translating it into clear, actionable policy recommendations for local governments can be challenging. Ensuring that researchers are able to simplify their findings while maintaining their scientific integrity is key to this process. For example, quantitative research on soil health, climate adaptation, or digital inclusion may need to be translated into clear indicators, visual summaries or policy briefs that highlight implications for local planning or service provision, rather than detailed methodological explanations.

●       Stakeholder engagement. Engaging policymakers in the research process is not always straightforward. Local authorities may have competing priorities, and integrating research expertise into policy frameworks may require significant effort to overcome bureaucratic barriers.


Tasks and resources

Scientists

●       Tasks

○       Present research findings

○       Create policy briefs

○       Engage in collaborative workshops with policymakers

●       Required resources

○       Time for research dissemination and participation in events

○       Communication tools for presenting research data to policymakers

Knowledge exchange managers and research managers

●       Tasks

○       Coordinate researcher involvement with local policymakers

○       Facilitate workshops

○       Ensure that research is accessible and relevant to local governance needs

●       Required resources

○       Digital platforms for research dissemination and ongoing feedback

○       Facilitation support for organizing collaborative workshops and consultations

Policymakers

●       Tasks

o   Integrate research data into local policies and allocate resources for research-driven initiatives.

●       Required resources

○       Policy expertise to interpret research data and incorporate it into decision making

○       Financial and administrative resources to support research applications in local development projects

Examples

UGR County Councils refers to the initiative led by the University of Granada (UGR) under the Erasmus+ ENGAGEgreen project, aiming to foster collaboration between academic researchers, local governments, and community stakeholders. This initiative focuses on addressing regional challenges through co-created, research-driven solutions. The Second Impronta Granada Meeting is the third pilot event organised by UGR as part of this project, bringing together researchers, policymakers, and local communities to discuss and develop strategies for sustainable development in rural and urban areas

The UGR County Councils initiative played a crucial role in connecting researchers with policymakers. Through online preparatory meetings and interactive workshops, the initiative was coordinated by the University of Granada through its knowledge exchange structures, which invited UGR researchers to showcase their research projects. These projects were mapped in an Excel database and shared through the Impronta Granada website. The website allowed policymakers to view actor profiles of UGR researchers, filter them by county council, and understand how their research aligned with territorial development needs. These efforts culminated in the Second Impronta Granada Meeting, where researchers presented their projects in micropresentations, directly engaging with local governments and businesses to discuss real-world applications of their findings. This process ensured that research data was accessible, visible, and integrated into the policy-making process at local levels.


Sources and further reading

Other