Advance_eLTER marks a crucial step in building the distributed European Research Infrastructure of Long-Term Ecosystem Research sites and socio-ecological research platforms (eLTER RI) to provide highest quality data and services complementary to the European and global environmental RIs. The project will conduct important conceptual work and preparatory steps towards enabling European-scale investigation of the “Critical Zone”, major ecosystems and socio-ecological systems, targeted at supporting knowledge-based decision making at various levels concerning ecosystem services and biodiversity. The review of the eLTER ESFRI proposal submitted by Germany in March 2015 noted the HIGH to VERY HIGH scientific value and necessity of the eLTER RI and was designated as an ‘Emerging’ ESFRI RI. The objectives of Advance_eLTER are firmly anchored in the strategic long-term goals of the eLTER RI, but strictly focus on the challenges identified by the ESFRI review: ● Detailed design study (WP1), including an in-depth analysis of the scientific questions driving the eLTER RI physical site network design and instrumentation; ● Prioritization of eLTER services for key user groups (WP2), and a plan for eLTER RI services at all service provider levels (central, cross-site, individual site); ● Cost analysis and Business plan, for the future eLTER RI operation (WP3); ● Organisational framework of eLTER RI (WP4), comprising the development of a robust governance scheme, enabling shareholder negotiations and identifying the most suitable legal framework; ● Consulting, communication and team-building (WP5), advancing the national eLTER ESFRI processes, specifying the role of eLTER in the environmental RI landscape and developing staff capacity for the eLTER ESFRI process. Advance_eLTER will closely cooperate with all LTER related processes and projects and will result in a 2017 eLTER ESFRI proposal.

eLTER RI is a pan-European Research Infrastructure planned to be operational in 2027. It has been built on the basis of existing national investments over several decades in the context of dedicated networks and ecosystem, critical zone and socio-ecological research projects. 162 Research Performing Organisations support the eLTER RI Science Case through a signed MoU, and 19 countries have formally provided political support to establishment of eLTER RI. The eLTER RI intends to create scientifically sound information required in response to grand societal challenges, while working as a distributed RI in the most cost-efficient way. It will continuously enhance its services and in-situ facilities to meet the needs of stakeholders as to emerging research challenges. Thereby, it will bring Europe to a globally leading role in ecosystem sciences. eLTER PPP will establish the vision and mission, strategic collaboration schemes and impact analyis of the RI; plan, consolidate with shareholders and start to implement the governance structures, coordinate a smooth transition from preparation into operations by establishing a legal entity, and by clearly identifying risks and risk reduction measures; prepare the cost benefit analysis, full Cost Book of the RI, and the financial plans for the mid-term and long-term perspective, and consolidate them with the shareholders; conclude the requirements of the RI to be met by the Central Services, identify the host for the Head Office, and the scope and decision making processes for hosting other central service components; finalise the technical specifications of eLTER RI concerning National Research Infrastructure design, eLTER Standard Observations and site categories, and establish a site labelling process; and develop and set up communication, dissemination and marketing structures or seamless continuation in eLTER RI, and engaging the eLTER scientific user community and other user groups beyond the project life time.

Science is the poetry of reality and 15 Bulgarian universities, research institutes and NGO partners join together in SEARCH to prove the statement that, combining Science + Environment + Art will bring Resilience for European Researchers Night in 2022-23. The experienced consortium led by Center for Research & Analysis and numerous associated partners bring longitudinal insight from their own 5 years’ partnership as well as EU and national findings in this 24-month project which aims to assert among the general public the crucial role of science in society and its relevance to everyday lives, and heighten young people’s interest in research careers, including of those from small towns and villages, and young people with disabilities. True to our approach, our country-wide, hybrid, multidisciplinary, hands-on programme of science and art events will focus on one central topic per year – the most versatile material in human history and its essential role in society, for technological, scientific and economic advancement – glass (UN International Year of Glass 2022), and the most urgent existential choices humanity needs to make – adapting to climate change, one of the new EU Missions supporting the European Green Deal. SEARCH for the popular formats of researchers’ public engagement like inspiring talks, spectacular shows and hands-on experiments, a range of sci-art collaborations, researchers at schools activities, and the innovative Young Voices podcasts and Instagram Looking Glass competitions. We will reach 3.6 mln, and engage with 30,000 direct participants online and offline, including teachers and school pupils, and along with boosting public engagement skills of researchers and teachers, we will demonstrate irrevocably how relevant, exciting and important the job of researchers is, and encourage young Bulgarians, especially girls and people with special needs to choose STEAM careers.