Science Comes to Town: Bringing Research Closer to Citizens Across Europe

From 11 to 13 May 2026, representatives of fifteen European organisations gathered in Rome to officially launch the second edition of Science Comes to Town, one of the European Commission’s flagship initiatives for public engagement with science. Funded under Horizon Europe, the initiative aims to strengthen the connection between research and society by bringing science closer to citizens and fostering trust in scientific knowledge.

The new edition brings together four host cities, Aarhus (Denmark), Genoa (Italy), Kaunas (Lithuania), and Oeiras (Portugal), which will design and implement a year-long programme of activities tailored to their local communities. During the kick-off meeting, project partners reaffirmed their shared ambition of making science more accessible and engaging for citizens across Europe.

At the heart of the initiative is the idea that public engagement should not be confined to research institutions. Instead, science is brought directly into everyday spaces such as libraries, parks, markets, and community centres, creating opportunities for dialogue, participation, and curiosity.

The programme, operating under the Science4Everyone framework, will run through 2027 and include more than 1,400 participatory events. Activities will be linked to the five EU Missions under Horizon Europe, addressing topics such as climate adaptation, cancer prevention and care, ocean and water restoration, climate-neutral cities, and healthy soils.

Major highlights will include the EU Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS 2027) in Genoa and the EU TalentOn 2027 competition for early-career researchers in Kaunas, showcasing some of Europe’s most promising young scientific talents. Through these activities, Science Comes to Town seeks to strengthen public engagement with research and demonstrate the role of science in addressing societal challenges.