Co-Creation in Climate Research. the Experience of the Horizon Regace Project

In light of the increasing urgency of climate change, scientific research is shifting toward more inclusive and participatory approaches to bridge the growing gap between academia and society. Traditional science communication, often centered on disseminating information to a passive audience in a post-innovation process, has proven faulty in addressing public skepticism and mistrust of scientific discovery and innovation, especially when dealing with complex subjects like climate change. Recent innovations in participatory science, particularly in eco-technological fields highlight the importance of an early engagement of communities from the outset to foster a deeper understanding and a societal acceptance of scientific advancements.

The idea of participatory processes involving those considered beneficiaries changes how technological innovation is co-constructed and the growth of awareness of the environmental sustainability of possible innovation actions.

This paper explores the emerging paradigm of co-creation in climate research, which involves the active participation of various stakeholders and community members in the research process. This approach transforms how scientific knowledge is produced and communicated. The REGACE project, which focuses on innovative agri-photovoltaics in greenhouses, demonstrates the potential of integrating farmers directly into the innovation process from the scientific co-design perspective. By engaging users early and meaningfully, such initiatives ensure that technological advancements are socially embedded and collaboratively developed. Drawing from the first months' empirical findings of farmer participation in five European partner states, this paper discusses that eco-innovation success, like innovative agri-photovoltaics, hinges on bottom-up engagement. This participatory model reconfigures the traditional notion of scientific authority, transforming it into a more relational and responsive to societal needs pattern. By analyzing the risks and benefits of this social-technological collaboration, the paper highlights the crucial role of direct societal involvement in reshaping the relationship between science and society in the context of the climate crisis.