ESSRG NONPROFIT KFT

Their core work

ESSRG is a Budapest-based nonprofit research centre specializing in participatory research methods that bridge science, society, and policy. They design and run Science Shops, citizen science initiatives, and co-creation processes that involve communities — particularly farmers, youth, and consumers — in shaping research agendas and food system transitions. Their practical contribution lies in translating complex agri-environmental challenges into collaborative governance models and actionable policy inputs, especially around the EU Common Agricultural Policy and sustainable food chains.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In their early H2020 period (2015–2018), ESSRG focused on science communication infrastructure — Science Shops, science cafés, museum exhibitions, and building science-society-policy interfaces (SPARKS, FoTRRIS, EKLIPSE). From 2019 onward, their work shifted decisively toward applied agri-food governance: co-designing CAP contracts, building collaborative food chains, empowering youth through citizen science, and creating dynamic value chains for underutilised crops. The evolution shows a clear move from methodological groundwork in participatory research toward concrete applications in food system transformation and agricultural policy.

ESSRG is moving toward applied food system governance and citizen-driven agricultural innovation, making them increasingly relevant for projects needing genuine community and farmer engagement in EU food policy.

How they like to work

ESSRG operates exclusively as a consortium partner — they have never coordinated an H2020 project, which positions them as a trusted specialist contributor rather than a project leader. With 205 unique partners across 35 countries, they integrate into large, diverse consortia (averaging ~16 partners per project). Their wide network and repeat thematic presence in food and society projects suggest they are a well-known go-to partner for participatory methodology within European consortia.

ESSRG has built an extensive European network of 205 unique consortium partners spanning 35 countries, giving them exceptional reach for a small nonprofit. Their partnerships are concentrated in Western and Southern Europe but extend across the full EU, reflecting the pan-European scope of their food and citizen science work.

What sets them apart

ESSRG occupies a rare niche: they are a small nonprofit SME that combines deep expertise in participatory research methods with practical knowledge of agri-food systems and EU agricultural policy. Most organizations do either social science methodology or agricultural research — ESSRG bridges both, making them uniquely qualified for projects that need genuine community engagement in food transitions. Their 13-project track record and 205-partner network are remarkable for an organization of their size, signaling high trust from consortium builders across Europe.

Highlights from their portfolio

• InSPIRES
  Their largest funded project (EUR 317K) and most representative of their core mission — reinventing Science Shops for participatory innovation in global health, migration, and social cohesion.
• Contracts2.0
  Directly addresses EU agricultural policy by co-designing new contract models for agri-environmental-climate measures under CAP — their most policy-relevant work.
• RADIANT
  Their most recent and forward-looking project, building dynamic value chains for underutilised crops with farmer and consumer co-creation — signals their future direction.