GLOBAZ, S.A.

Their core work

GLOBAZ (operating as LOBA) is a Portuguese digital communication and dissemination company that specializes in helping EU research projects reach wider audiences — businesses, citizens, and policymakers. Their core work involves designing communication strategies, building web platforms, producing multimedia content, and running public engagement campaigns for science and innovation projects. With 13 out of 24 projects being Coordination and Support Actions (CSA), their role is consistently about translating complex research outcomes into accessible messages and bridging the gap between science and society. They are not a research performer but a professional amplifier of research impact.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In 2014–2018, GLOBAZ focused on health big data visualization (AEGLE), ICT infrastructure communication (VINEYARD), and early bio-economy awareness campaigns (BIOWAYS, BIOBRIDGES). From 2019 onward, their portfolio shifted toward energy transition topics (SMAGRINET, XPRESS, DIALOGUES), AI and media (AI4Media), urban security (IcARUS), and robotics adoption (Robotics4EU) — while maintaining their bio-economy thread through Transition2BIO and EnXylaScope. The consistent pattern is not a sector shift but an expansion: they moved from a narrow ICT/bio focus to covering nearly every Horizon 2020 societal challenge, always in a communication and engagement role.

GLOBAZ is broadening into energy, AI, and urban technology communication — expect them to be a reliable dissemination partner for any sector, not just their original bio/ICT base.

How they like to work

GLOBAZ operates overwhelmingly as a consortium partner (22 of 24 projects), taking on the communication and dissemination work package rather than leading scientific direction. They coordinated only twice — both in bio-economy CSAs (BIOBRIDGES, LIFT) — suggesting they lead when the entire project IS communication. With 202 unique partners across 35 countries, they are a high-connectivity node: they work with many different organizations rather than repeating the same partnerships, making them well-networked for introductions across European research ecosystems.

Exceptionally wide network of 202 unique consortium partners across 35 countries, built through participation in large CSA consortia. This breadth makes them one of the better-connected Portuguese SMEs in H2020, with reach across Western, Southern, and Eastern Europe.

What sets them apart

GLOBAZ fills a specific niche that many consortia struggle with: professional-grade communication and dissemination delivered by a dedicated company, not bolted on as an afterthought by a research partner. Their track record across 24 projects in wildly different sectors (from health big data to urban crime to enzyme research) proves they can translate any domain into engaging public content. For consortium builders, they solve the perennial problem of "who handles WP on communication" with a team that has done it two dozen times.

Highlights from their portfolio

• AI4Media
  Largest budget (EUR 271,250) and their most technically ambitious project — a European AI excellence centre for media and democracy, running until 2024.
• BIOBRIDGES
  One of only two projects they coordinated, focused on connecting consumers with bio-based industry — demonstrates their ability to lead full communication projects.
• IcARUS
  EUR 233,000 for urban security research including radicalisation and organised crime — shows their range extends well beyond typical science communication into sensitive societal topics.