The purpose of this project is to analyze approaches, methods and instruments of Social Finance (SF) helpful to support Social Enterprises (SEs) localized in some marginal territory of the EU (and especially in Sardinia). The project aims: 1) to contribute to the international academic debate on SF, with a focus on the role of SF for SEs through the analysis of the best practices useful for the improvement of the economic wellbeing; 2) to provide better theoretical and practical solutions, by designing tailored financial instruments for the SEs located in Sardinia with the aim to develop and to test efficient ways to reduce social exclusion and to promote social innovation; 3) to promote a permanent network between the involved parties with the aim to encourage new financial approaches for a more inclusive society. The relevance of this research project is confirmed by: i) the role of SF and SEs in the European agenda, in the academic debate, and in the challenges for financial systems; ii) the need to overcome the limits of the mainstream finance and to conceptualize a new finance approach able to be a good finance for a more inclusive society, iii) the multidisciplinary approach to the field of SF that involves both social innovation and social entrepreneurship. The innovativeness of the project is related to: i) the combined research approach (deductive/inductive) useful for exploratory studies; ii) the international approach to the topic of SF, that will be explored in collaboration with one of the leading international researcher in the field of SF and one of the most prominent researchers in the field of impact finance. The research activities will be developed through: i) the outgoing phase at Waterloo University; ii) the return phase at UNICA (Sardinia/South Italy). The project will allow the construction of a permanent Excellency Laboratory in Sardinia and will promote the development of SF and SEs in such marginal territory.

SuperScienceMe - Research is your Elevation aims at redefining the relationship between art, science, and society, with a strong focus on sustainability and inclusion. Inspired by the New European Bauhaus, championing a holistic approach to sustainability and interweaving environmental, social, and cultural dimensions, and by Prof. Nuccio Ordine's illuminating work "The Usefulness of the Useless" this initiative transcends conventional boundaries, advocating for a collaborative ethos where citizens converge with researchers. The strategic objectives of the project are articulated in four main pillars: (1) to enhance citizen involvement in all stages of the R&I process, (2) to promote excellence in research projects across Europe and beyond, (3) to cultivate a deeper understanding of the EU among the general public, and (4) to elevate the interests of next generations in research and scientific careers, by igniting their curiosity and passion, with a specific focus on girls. Central to our approach is an unwavering commitment to open science, an endeavor to democratize knowledge and break down barriers that hinder accessibility. Through a series of immersive experiences, workshops, and interactive exhibitions, we invite participants to explore the multifaceted intersections of art and science, encouraging dialogue and exchange among experts and the public alike. Through this collective effort, we envisage a future where the pursuit of knowledge is cherished not only for its utility but also for the transformative beauty it imparts to our lives. SuperScienceMe will forge a legacy that affirms the indispensable role of the "useless" in sculpting the future of humanity, (1) ensuring it is inclusive in addressing the complex challenges of our time, (2) creating unique learning opportunities for pupils through direct interaction with researchers and (3) reaching out to underprivileged communities who may not have easy access to scientific resources or formal education.

SuperScienceMe is a dive into the ocean of knowledge in search of scientific and cultural Calabrian wonders. Visitors will be involved in experiments, games, and artistic performances offered by partners and cooperation bodies. The aim is to create opportunities for matching researchers and citizens, with a special focus on young people. The researcher plays the role of a superhero - SuperScienceMe–that tells the science in a simply way to participants, demonstrating them that it is not separated from real life. Moreover, in line with “European Year of Cultural Heritage” the project aims to promote Calabrian cultural heritage and the superhero will lead visitors in museums and archaeological sites where will be carry out the pre-events. The activities are based on the successful format of the Unical Researchers' Nights previous editions that will be extended to the regional territory, involving Calabrian research/innovation system: • "Experiencing research": demonstrative and fun activities to discover the scientific and cultural work, through a program of more than 100 bookable guided tours in the laboratories, research centres, museums and service facilities, especially dedicated to students; • "Research exhibition": research booths, with spin-off companies and research startups, other innovative companies and social actors. Also present will be the EU, national and regional structural funds, and EEN corners. Other inclusive and social activities will be: • "Experiencing in the hospital", the initiative that brings "Experiencing research" to the Paediatric department of some Calabrian hospitals; • "Research without barriers", a program for integrating the disabled as users and also as authors of scientific demonstrations, cultural initiatives and shows; • "Imagine the research", a video-photography contest; • "Sporting events" involving researchers. The project includes a thematic film review on innovation and performances by artists linked to Calabrian tradition.

SuperScienceMe - REsearch is your R-Evolution aims at reaching the general public of Calabria and Basilicata regions in Southern Italy, focusing in particular on the young ones. SuperScienceMe proposes a fascinating journey across several epochs of human evolution and science, to convey the message that research represents an intrinsic character of mankind, being, for this reason, free of any barrier and stereotype. Research is human richness and, just like human fantasy and imagination,can’t be confined nor limited. Research is freedom. In this historical epoch, the sensibility of people must be brought back to the values of equality and inclusion, strongly promoted and pursued by the European Union. Within this scenario, especially young people must be taken care of and educated in order to appreciate the beauty of diversity. Research can play this game successfully. Based on these considerations and on the successful previous editions of the NIGHT, SuperScienceMe expands its boundaries, including in the partnership another region of Southern Italy, to promote inclusiveness and equality through Research. The activities of the NIGHT will be developed in research centres as well as in locations which are uncommon for science,like hospitals and juvenile prisons, to explain how research revolutions have driven the fantastic evolution of mankind. To open their wings towards the general public, researchers will tell the compelling story of research speaking the language of non-experts in science, challenging each other to show that they are nothing but ordinary people, just like everyone else, doing an extraordinary job, which consists in looking at nature and trying to appreciate and understand its elusive secrets. European Union was conceived on the pillars of a society based on innovation, research, equality and inclusiveness. SuperScienceMe has been thought to reinvigorate these concepts showing the exciting journey of research through the eras of human evolution.

Research requires original ideas, freedom, rigor, discipline and continuous study; it requires knowing how to pursue goals, accepting failures and frustrations, and fully enjoying gratifications and satisfactions. Research gives unique opportunities and Hope to the world, especially to the new generations, inspires people to get involved, to believe in and gamble on themselves. This is the message Giorgio Parisi, fresh Nobel Prize in physics, delivers to the world on the day of the awarding of the most important prize for a scientist; and this is the message that superheroine SuperScienceMe makes its own for the new edition of the European Researchers’ Night. Researchers are like curious children, whose attention is inexorably attracted by the charm of nature; they are inebriate by so much beauty, then ask questions and seek for answers, they study tirelessly, attempting to unveil the secrets of the Universe. SuperScienceMe aims at spreading this message to children, young people, men, women and families, in a historical moment in which people are bewildered, facing challenges that seem insurmountable for mankind. Only science can help humanity to reach the summit and to scan the horizon of the future with hope. For this noble purpose, SuperScienceMe asks for help from one of the greatest scientists that history can remember: Leonardo da Vinci. The Italian genius will accompany SuperScienceMe and modern scientists on a wonderful journey among the people, to tell them the exciting fairy tale of science. In line with the main scope of the MSCA-CITIZENS action, the project “SuperScienceMe - RESearch is your RE-Source” builds a symbolic bridge that connects past and future by passing through the present and gets researchers closer to the general public encouraging at the same time the youth, especially the women, to embark on scientific careers, thus driving everyone’s effort towards a more equitable, green, resilient and healthy Europe.