The VOYAGES project is the collective effort of 12 partners and the legacy of 15 years of participation in the ERN as a Consortium. Our ambition is to organize events in 14 different French cities (specifically focusing on medium-sized cities, where there are researchers, but science engagement activities are less frequent), sharing the same objectives, activities, approach to popularization, and involving local researchers. Our project is based on an engaging theme: “Voyages” that will help visitors dream and stimulate researchers. Convinced that the quality of the exchange with researchers is the key factor in enriching and refining the public's vision of research and science in society, we create warm and aesthetic encounters between the public and researchers. Our theme stimulates the creativity of the scenographers and mediators who design playful activities to be shared by researchers and the public (The Researchers’ suitcase, different Strolls, etc.). On national and international scales, we are designing three online formats that will allow thousands of people to discover field research all over the world, engage in face-to-face dialogue on Zoom and debate with researchers from other countries. To achieve this “in person” and “online” strategy, the 1,000 researchers involved in the project will be coached and trained by mediators, artists or scenographers. A long-lasting effect on researchers will be one outcome, as ERN is an occasion for them to start a long journey in science engagement. The French Ministry of Culture will financially support the event for the 4th year, fostering the participation of researchers in social sciences and humanities; the Ministry of Research will also continue its support. One partner is in charge of strategies for reducing the environmental impact of the events. The ERN will let us take a breath of fresh air and formulate questions about the resources and future of the planet. Flight 2021 to Research is now boarding!

ERN has gained momentum in France. Thus, the Ministry of Research has decided to open its great "Science Fair" with the ERN, which is a recognition of the quality of the event and significantly develops its reputation and visibility. Therefore, we have set up a programme with distinctive visible features and a high level of consistency throughout the French territory for the 2014 and 2015 editions. Our aim is to create original meetings as well as long and enriching dialogues between citizens and researchers in 11 towns. Our events will be identical at 80% and will involve 35000 visitors and 600 researchers per year in original public places. These events will be announced through a joint communication process. A theme will link them: “experience”, which means both experience and experiment in French. Our programme will stand out thanks to 3 key features: - the occasion of face to face dialogues with local researchers; - the European scope of the ERN. We will set up in each town a “EU-Welcome-corner”: meeting places where the French public will greet and welcome foreign researchers and will have the chance to better understand the meaning of European programmes. This action will be animated by "Campus France"; - the opportunity for the public to take part in actual research experiments. The public will get involved in a citizen science event. This will be exciting because in an experiment always lies some mystery. Furthermore, a link will be created between both years as for some experiments of 2014, the results will be presented in 2015. This will ensure the commitment of the public. In 2015 a great national participatory experiment will be organised, gathering all towns in the performance of one, big common experience in which thousands of French people will be able to take part for the ERN's anniversary. The organisation of these events is carried out by a consortium of 11 partners specialised in scientific popularisation, especially with researchers.