EGU SCIENCE FOR POLICY NEWSLETTER - JULY 2023 ============================================= Dear EGU Expert, This month’s EGU Science for Policy Newsletter is packed full of opportunities for scientists to engage in policy! We’re thrilled to announce the EGU’s open call for the [2023 Science-Policy Pairing Scheme](https://www.egu.eu/news/969/egus-policy-pairing-scheme-apply-now-to-experience-life-inside-the-european-parliament/) that will sponsor two scientists to work alongside different MEPs for up to a week. The European Commission has also opened the call for its 5-month [Blue Book Traineeship programme](https://traineeships.ec.europa.eu/). And for those who are interested in having their say in political manifestos, the [Good Lobby](https://www.thegoodlobby.eu/) has published a handy [guide](https://www.thegoodlobby.eu/how-to-influence-the-europarties-2024-election-manifestos/) ahead of next year’s European Parliament election! If you have any further questions or comments about the policy opportunities that exist for scientists in Europe, don’t hesitate to get in touch via [policy@egu.eu](mailto:policy@egu.eu) or on the EGU’s official Science for Policy Twitter Account [@EGU_Policy](https://twitter.com/EGU_Policy). Best wishes, Chloe Hill, EGU Policy Manager APPLY NOW: EGU’S SCIENCE-POLICY PAIRING SCHEME ---------------------------------------------- We’re thrilled to announce that the [2023 Science-Policy Pairing Scheme](https://www.egu.eu/policy/pairing-schemes/) will be with not one, but TWO Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) enabling us to pair two scientists this year! Applications are open now, and will close on 15 September 2023. The Pairing Scheme will sponsor two scientists to work alongside different MEPs for up to a week in November or early December 2023. Successful applicants will join the MEPs and their assistants in Brussels to experience the daily work of an MEP, learn more about the role of science in policymaking, and provide expertise on a policy issue where relevant. You can read more about the EGU’s Science-Policy Pairing Scheme and [how to apply here](https://www.egu.eu/news/969/egus-policy-pairing-scheme-apply-now-to-experience-life-inside-the-european-parliament/). AN INSIDER’S PERSPECTIVE: LIFE INSIDE THE PARLIAMENT ---------------------------------------------------- If you’re interested in applying for the [EGU’s Science-Policy Pairing Scheme](https://www.egu.eu/news/969/egus-policy-pairing-scheme-apply-now-to-experience-life-inside-the-european-parliament/) but would first like to dig into what life inside the European Parliament is like, then take a read through last month’s [GeoPolicy blog post](https://blogs.egu.eu/geolog/2023/06/30/geopolicy-life-inside-the-european-parliament-an-assistants-view/) where Accredited Parliamentary Assistant Sebastian Jehle shares his insights. In the blog post, Jehel highlights what an “average” day inside the European Parliament looks like, some of the lessons that he’s learned throughout his time working inside the Parliament, and his top tips for scientists who want to engage with policymaking processes! You can also read the experiences of those selected for the [2019](https://blogs.egu.eu/geolog/2020/01/28/geopolicy-my-experience-with-the-egus-science-policy-pairing-scheme/), [2021](https://blogs.egu.eu/geolog/2020/01/28/geopolicy-my-experience-with-the-egus-science-policy-pairing-scheme/), and [2022](https://blogs.egu.eu/geolog/2023/02/08/geopolicy-exploring-life-inside-the-european-parliament/) EGU Pairing Schemes on the [GeoPolicy blog](https://blogs.egu.eu/geolog/category/geopolicy/). OPEN CALL: EUROPEAN COMMISSION BLUE BOOK TRAINEESHIPS ----------------------------------------------------- If you are looking for other policymaking experiences within European institutions, the European Commission also has an open call for its 5-month [Blue Book Traineeship programme](https://traineeships.ec.europa.eu/). While the exact activities undertaken by the trainee will vary depending on the policy area and service, the programme will provide you with insights into what life is like inside the Commission and how information is provided and used by policymakers. Some examples of activities that you may undertake as a Blue Book Trainee include: attending and organising meetings, conducting research, drafting and editing policy documents, and answering enquiries. While the Commission doesn’t specifically target scientists in the application process, often those with specific expertise are welcome. The deadline to apply for a Blue Book Traineeship is on **31 August at 10:00 CEST**. You can [read more and apply here](https://traineeships.ec.europa.eu/). HAVE YOUR SAY: UNDERSTANDING THE 2024 ELECTION MANIFESTOS --------------------------------------------------------- With the next [European Parliament election on the Horizon](https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2023/05/22/council-confirms-6-to-9-june-2024-as-dates-for-next-european-parliament-elections/), the [Good Lobby](https://www.thegoodlobby.eu/) has created a practical guide that demystifies the complex processes behind the preparation of political manifestos, the documents that outline the agenda and priorities of the various political parties. [This guide](https://www.thegoodlobby.eu/how-to-influence-the-europarties-2024-election-manifestos/) outlines the key opportunities that can be used to provide input and contribute to different election manifestos and explains why the process has historically been so opaque. By understanding the political processes and the pathways that exist to contribute to them, scientists can have their say on political priorities and support evidence-informed policymaking. [Read the full Good Lobby article here](https://www.thegoodlobby.eu/how-to-influence-the-europarties-2024-election-manifestos/). STRATEGIC FORESIGHT: TOWARDS A FAIR AND SUSTAINABLE EUROPE ---------------------------------------------------------- [Strategic foresight](https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/strategic-planning/strategic-foresight_en) is the practice of exploring, anticipating, and envisioning alternative future scenarios. It is supported by research and used by the European Commission to develop sustainable and functional transition pathways, enhance preparedness to potential future challenges, and support informed decision-making. As part of the European Commission’s fourth Strategic Foresight Report, the Joint Research Centre’s Foresight Team has recently published the Science for Policy report, [Towards a fair and sustainable Europe 2050: Social and economic choices in sustainability transitions](https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC133716). It may be of interest to researchers working on environmental systems and their resilience to future pressure or those interested in strategic foresight more generally.