Spanning four years, the SHERPA project aimed to connect rural European communities with decision-making at a local level. Encouraging open conversations and idea-sharing between stakeholders, it enabled local knowledge to inform policies on issues such as climate change, land use and the diversification of the rural economy.
Permafrost coasts are one of the most dynamic ecosystems on Earth and they are undergoing rapid change. The EU-funded Nunataryuk project assessed the impacts of thawing coastal and subsea permafrost on the global climate. Their work on adaptation and mitigation strategies is also helping to build resilience in Arctic coastal populations.
The sociopolitical role that everyday photography plays is significant but under-investigated. The PHOTODEMOS project conducted ethnographic research across nine countries to investigate similarities and differences in how ordinary people use cameras. Its findings identify how images both inspire and empower citizens to reimagine their circumstances and explore alternative futures.
Reducing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is a critical element in the fight against climate change. This is why EU researchers have pioneered a novel method of capturing emissions and storing them underground as rock. This could help Europe meet its climate targets.
Eight years ago, conflicts in the Middle East drove migration across Europe to a level not seen since World War II. Decision makers at local, national and European level had to adapt quickly, and created a vast range of new tools and approaches to integrate refugees. The SPRING project enables decision makers to identify best practices from that era that can help them face the migration challenges of today.
The science of nanofluidics has the potential to revolutionise everything from water purification to computing. The EU-funded SHADOKS project set out to increase our understanding of nanofluidics, and use this new-found knowledge to build game-changing applications. The results of this work will lead to groundbreaking innovation in the years to come.
Public bodies, businesses and citizens in the EU face an increasing risk of cyberattacks, from snooping to ransomware. The CRYSPEN project successfully demonstrated how technology developed by EU-funded cryptographic research could deliver new security standards for web browsing through a commercial spinout.
The EU-funded TRACTION project has turned to co-creation and technology to make opera more inclusive, engaging a variety of communities from low-income neighbourhoods to prisons. The results are dynamic new operas that represent a more inclusive Europe.
The power of music to evoke strong emotions is known to anyone who hears it – but the underlying mechanism remains unknown. Using sound manipulation tools that could elicit emotional responses, the EU-funded CREAM project has yielded insights into the brain. The work is also already inspiring novel clinical applications, from diagnosing speech problems to assessing brain surgery patients.
The industrial sector accounts for nearly a third of energy use in the EU, mostly for heat and thermal processes. Innovative technology developed by the EU-funded ETEKINA project recycles factory heat, lowering environmental impact and running costs. The research supports the EU’s goal of being climate-neutral by 2050.
