The Orbis consortium gathered in Athens for a highly productive three-day meeting that brought together partners from across Europe to discuss progress, align on ongoing initiatives, and set the stage for future developments. This meeting was a pivotal moment for Orbis, fostering collaboration and innovation across key work packages.
Day 1: Laying the Groundwork
The first day set the tone with engaging sessions that combined updates and strategic discussions. The meeting kicked off with a presentation by FEL on Work Package 7 (WP7), focusing on upcoming activities and updates, including new communication strategies and progress on the SI on Fronteers. A significant portion of the session was dedicated to laying the foundations for future workshops, essential for engaging stakeholders.
The day continued with a comprehensive presentation by CSI and POLIMI on the Evaluation Framework (WP6), outlining the theoretical and practical aspects of evaluating pilot implementations. The afternoon saw parallel tracks: CEPS led a reflection on the inclusion of minorities in the pilots, while NVCR focused on the technological aspects of WP4 and WP5. These discussions emphasized the importance of inclusivity and robust technical implementation.
Day 2: Aligning on Implementation
The second day delved deeper into the technical and operational aspects of Orbis. CNRS started the day with an overview of the AI-boosted deliberation solution (WP4), providing insights into its components and functionality. This was followed by updates from UNIGR and NVCR on Work Package 5 (WP5), highlighting the current status and progress.
A major highlight was the alignment session between pilots and technical partners, where UNIGR and NCVR led discussions on the Orbis rationale and facilitated a demo of the Orbis platform. The afternoon was dedicated to the Pilots Implementation Plan (WP6), with POLIMI and partners engaging in co-design sessions to refine and scale pilot activities. The day concluded with a collaborative review of each pilot’s progress, ensuring clarity and alignment on next steps.
Day 3: Looking Ahead
The final day was forward-looking, focusing on Orbis’s potential beyond the project’s lifespan. UNIGR hosted a hands-on workshop as part of Task 7.5 (WP7), exploring opportunities to leverage Orbis for private organizations, policymakers, and new deliberative tools. This session sparked rich discussions on how Orbis could be adapted and scaled in the future.
Subsequent sessions led by POLIMI, NVCR, and UNIGR addressed data management and guidelines (WP1), providing crucial insights into best practices for pilots. The meeting concluded with a wrap-up discussion, summarizing key takeaways and next steps across work packages.
Key Outcomes
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Enhanced Collaboration: Partners aligned on critical aspects of the project, ensuring consistency across pilots and work packages.
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Innovative Solutions: Workshops and demos showcased the transformative potential of Orbis, fostering innovation and inclusivity.
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Future Planning: Strategic discussions on sustainability and scalability laid a strong foundation for Orbis’s long-term impact.