1.2. Lead AG EST

1.2. Lead of the JPI Climate AG EST (Action Group "Enabling Societal Transformation")

The operative and programmatic activities (such as drafting working papers or designing calls for proposals) of JPI Climate are carried out by Action Groups (AGs) and then adopted by the Governing Board. The AG EST ("Enabling societal transformation in the face of climate change") aims to promote social sciences and humanities as key disciplines for the sustainable societal transformation in the context of climate change. The International Networking Platform leads the AG EST on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research (BMBWF).

1.2.1. Co-lead in the development of a White Paper

Austria co-led the drafting of the JPI Climate White Paper on "Operationalising knowledge on and for societal transformations in the face of climate change". This strategic paper is the basis for the medium-term planning of JPI Climate's funding activities of social sciences and humanities in climate change research. Five thematic areas and two transversal aspects were identified on which there is a high demand for research; they should guide calls for proposals in the coming years. In this respect, the White Paper also served as the basis for the SOLSTICE ("Enabling Societal Transformation in the Face of Climate Change") call.

1.2.2. Lead of the conception of the SOLSTICE call

Starting in August 2018, the International Networking Platform led the strategic development of SOLSTICE on behalf of the BMBWF, which was developed based on the above mentioned White Paper. SOLSTICE set new impulses regarding evaluation criteria and  thematic orientation (more details on SOLSTICE).

1.2.3. Initiation of a COST Action proposal

A COST Action proposal was initiated in close cooperation with the CSA SINCERE (Strengthening INternational Cooperation on climatE change Research). The International Networking Platform brought together the different actors of the AG EST (submission: November 2020). If selected for funding, the project SHiFT ("Social Sciences and Humanities for Transformation and Climate Resilience") will strengthen the international network of researchers in the field of social sciences and humanities in the context of climate change.