This paper explores the prioritization of cooperation and collaboration with civil society in Horizon Europe reference documents. Horizon Europe is the world's largest research funding programme, spanning 2021-2027. It is important to study the reference documents that shape the programme, as the texts reflect the values, goals, and expectations of the European Union towards the future. This paper discusses how crucial issues such as inclusivity, diversity, and gender, among various others, are positioned and prioritized in the documents. It also provides insight into how the European Union discusses civil engagement and the cooperation of people in reaching societal goals. This analysis is conducted with discourse analytical methods and social positioning theory. Discourse analysis allows the analyst to closely study language in use (Jones, 2012), while connecting the language to its broader social context. Social positioning theory supports the analysis as it enables the observation of "the roles that are recognizably allocated to people" within social structures (Davies and Harré, 1990/2007, p. 56). Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the EU has emphasized the importance of strengthening the resiliency of people and the commitment to "leaving nobody behind" (European Commission, 2021). Engagement with citizens is strongly encouraged across actions. The green and digital transitions, aiding the journey toward climate neutrality, are also part of the strong rhetoric of the EU. This paper provides answers to the following questions, among others:
- How are issues of equality, inclusivity, and public awareness present across the Horizon Europe reference documents?
- To what extent do the documents value the role of citizen engagement and cooperation in the research actions tackling societal challenges?
- How do the reference documents reflect a prioritization of minority languages, linguistic social issues, diversity, ethnicity, and gender in research actions across various fields and disciplines?
This paper is beneficial to researchers applying for EU grants, and to all interested parties. It provides a valuable multidisciplinary view of how social responsibility and citizen engagement is connected to various fields, such as health, culture, security, technology, climate, energy, bioeconomy, and the environment.
References
Davies, B., & Harré, R. (1990/2007). Positioning: The Discursive Production of Selves. Journal for the Theory of Social Behaviour, 20(1), 43–63. (Original work published 1990). doi: 10.1111/j.1468-5914.1990.tb00174.x
European Commission. (2021). Horizon Europe Work Programme 2021-2022 5. Culture, creativity and inclusive society (European Commission Decision C(2021)4200 of 15 June 2021). Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2021-2022/wp-5-culture-creativity-and-inclusive-society_horizon-2021-2022_en.pdf Accessed July 9, 2022.
Jones, R. (2012). Discourse analysis A resource book for students. Routledge.
