Today public authorities need to provide better services with fewer resources. Citizens require accessible, user-friendly, personalised, and integrated public services that match their needs and circumstances. At the same time, trust in the public sector deteriorates. We argue the solution rests in enhancing existing relevant EU work (on policies, models, frameworks, roadmaps etc) by adopting best research and practice (e.g. in public service co-creation) and by exploiting relevant technologies particularly mobile apps, virtual assistants (chatbots), knowledge graphs, and linked data. We acknowledge that for many years, the EU is providing useful practical advice including frameworks (e.g. EIF), models (e.g. CPSV), architectures (e.g. EIRA), roadmaps, etc. These however are not directly applicable anymore as they do not incorporate the latest research and practice, e.g. in public service co-creation. Similarly, research is not related to EU work and practice is not related to research. The vision of the inGov project is to provide innovative ICT-supported governance models as well as mobile apps including chatbots, which will enable stakeholders' collaboration in co-producing inclusive and accessible Integrated Public Services (IPS) thus increasing trust and satisfaction. For that purpose, multidisciplinary scientific methods will be used including design science, multiple case study and variants of the technology acceptance model. The project results will be piloted in Malta to modernise the digital family household public service (affecting 200,000 households), in Austria to deploy IPS for collecting tourism tax (affecting 3,200 accommodation providers), in Greece to digitise the disabled card renewal service (benefiting 11,500 disabled, low-income citizens) and in Croatia to create AI-driven virtual assistants and services (affecting 32,000 citizens). We aim to feed our results back to EU policies hence achieving alignment between policies, research and practice.

VISION4FOOD aims to enhance the sustainability and resilience of EU food systems through the development of innovative governance models that contribute to better informed decision-making processes while promoting social engagement and innovation in 5 European regions (Finland, Spain, Italy, Greece, Poland) with different innovation ecosystem maturity levels. Through the project, our regions will be supported to strengthen their role in the creation of Food Innovation Platforms (FIPs), fostering collaboration among Quadruple Helix stakeholders and facilitating the identification, and scaling of innovations for food system transformation. The methodology involves co-creating R&I strategies, emphasizing open science, and Responsible Research Innovation (RRI). Through VISION4FOOD multi-stakeholder approach and the integration of tools and services we will provide them all the necessary support for knowledge exchange, networking and priority setting in the form of an acceleration agenda tailored to each region’s priorities and needs while facilitating the transition to an innovative and inclusive food system. We will closely monitor and evaluate the performance of the governance models’ operation, providing evidence of its impacts.

Europe is warming faster than any other continent, with 2023 being the hottest year on record. This rapid Climate Change (CC) increases the frequency of extreme weather events, such as floods, wildfires, and droughts, endangering people, infrastructure, ecosystems, and the economy. From 1980 to 2020, climate disasters cost the €12 billion annually, and future hazards could raise this figure to €170 billion per year. In response, the European Commission (EC) has enacted policies like the European Green Deal (EGD), the European Adaptation Strategy, and the European Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change (MACC), all aiming to boost resilience, particularly in rural areas that are disproportionately vulnerable due to their dependence on natural resources and exposure to diverse climate risks. Rural areas, especially Remote Rural Areas (RRAs), face even greater obstacles like lower institutional capacity, underinvestment, and depopulation, limiting their ability to adopt climate adaptation measures. Covering 50 % of the European Union (EU)'s rural territories, RRAs urgently need empowerment to tackle CC effectively. GRACE project focuses on addressing the needs of rural and small and medium communities localised in EU RRAs to adapt and build resilience against CC, by strengthening their capacities and empowering them to become actors of change and take transformative action. A consortium of 27 organizations from 16 countries implements the project, with 5 Demonstrator Regions (DRs) in Austria, Denmark, Italy, Portugal and Sweden co-developing innovative solutions centered on nature-based approaches. These solutions are designed to deliver multifunctional, place-based social, environmental and economic benefits. In addition, circular economy principles will be embedded within these solutions to promote sustainable resource use, regenerative practices, and closed-loop systems, further enhancing local adaptation capacity. At the same time, the project will enhance local socio-economic activities, promote circular business models, maximize the value of natural capital, and help mitigate the challenges of depopulation and aging in RRAs. 5 Replicator Regions (RRs) in Greece, Ireland, Latvia, Slovakia and Ukraine will prepare for adopting the innovations developed by the DRs. Finally, GRACE will also engage Observer Regions (ORs) to follow and potentially replicate these solutions, fostering widespread CC adaptation across Europe’s rural areas. By integrating Nature-based Solutions (NBS), digital technologies, and inclusive community participation, GRACE will catalyze transformative adaptation in EU rural territories, ensuring that RRAs can successfully navigate climate challenges ahead and secure a sustainable, climate- resilient future.