ENGAGE · European researchers' Night in Cyprus: the diGitAl and Green Age

The ENGAGE proposal aims at organising a European Researchers' Night (ERN) in Nicosia, Cyprus on the 24th of September 2021. The theme of the event, the green and digital age, focusses on the transition towards a green world led by the European Union (EU) through the European Green Deal, in a new decade where the digital transition is well under way and more prominent than ever before as addressed in the European Digital Strategy. Having coordinated the organisation of the ERN events in Cyprus since 2006, the Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF), will seek to build on the experience accumulated over the years and established collaboration with local Research and Innovation (R&I) stakeholders from the academia, the public sector, industry as well as other actors in civil society to make the event a success. The proposal's main objective is to mobilise and actively engage researchers in a quest to increase awareness of research and innovation activities by bringing them closer to the wider public. ENGAGE will additionally seek to raise the public's awareness regarding the latest R&I achievements in Cyprus and the EU, creating an understanding of the benefits and impact of researchers' work on citizens' daily life, whilst at the same time reducing stereotypes about researchers and encouraging young people to embark on research careers. The target audience for the event is the public at large, attracting people regardless of their age, gender or scientific background, with a special focus on families, pupils and students. Activities will bring together the public and researchers from all sectors and disciplines, and include side events such as a European Corner Roadshow in the main cities of Cyprus and a main event with hands-on experiments and demonstrations, games, live science communication competitions and quizzes as well as screenings of science documentaries, a Stand-up Science Comedy Live Show and a digital concert to conclude festivities.