16 Horizon projects later, our goal is the same

In 2019, we decided to develop Demos Helsinki’s academic research capabilities and contributions. We had a clear hypothesis: academic research can unlock real societal change. Then came Covid—a reminder of how much the world depends on the interplay between science and policy. Governments took notice and began building stronger bridges between the two fields, ultimately standing behind the idea that research can shape the future.

In just five years, we’ve been awarded 16 HORIZON Europe projects, of which 14 are still active. This number isn’t just about us; it’s about the times we live in. There’s a hunger for research that doesn’t sit on a shelf but moves systems, questions norms, and finds the tools to create change.

The EU may be shifting, but our commitment to research based on these values remains steady. Why? Because fairer, more sustainable, and more joyful societies aren’t just ideas—they are goals worth investing in.

Here’s a look at the 14 Horizon projects we’re working on right now:

Justice issues in fair transition

1. Citizen participation in just transitions

TANDEM (2022–2025)
The project develops participatory, deliberative, and art-based methods for achieving just transitions. The methods are tested through case studies across the EU, addressing contentious low-carbon transition processes, such as the ban on internal combustion vehicles in Brussels, housing inequality and energy renovations in Innsbruck, and the phase-out of energy peat in South Ostrobothnia. In 2025, we will coordinate five citizen panels to develop just transition pathways and related policy recommendations. Additionally, we will produce several outputs, including guidelines for using deliberative methods. Since the project ends in August 2025, we will also contribute to the final reporting.

2. Mainstreaming alternative proteins

Like-A-Pro (2022–2026)
The project promotes sustainable and healthy diets in Europe by advancing the mainstream adoption of promising alternative proteins and products. We are organising a Citizen Innovation Living Lab in Finland to gather diverse perspectives on alternative proteins, conducting a European transition arena for mid-chain food actors, and hosting training sessions for food industry stakeholders on the benefits of alternative proteins.

3. Reducing European regions’ vulnerability to climate change

Regions4Climate (2023–2027)
This project develops and demonstrates socially just pathways to climate resilience. Based on multi-sectoral roadmaps co-created with regional stakeholders, the project advances innovations to reduce European regions’ vulnerability to climate change impacts. In 2024 and 2025, we will facilitate the process in which stakeholders and representatives co-develop roadmaps for a just transition to climate resilience.

Climate transition of cities and regions

4. Supporting climate transitions in cities

NetZeroCities (2021–2025)
SGA1 (2023–2026), SGA2 (2024–2027)
This project supports the EU’s urban mission, helping 112 cities drastically cut emissions to achieve climate neutrality by 2030. We strengthen cities’ capacity for systemic change, share insights across mission cities, and create a platform to provide services and expertise for future climate actions. The continuation projects (SGA1 and SGA2) focus on scaling practices developed with mission cities, supporting investment and funding plans for green transitions.

5. Integrated urban mobility solutions

REALLOCATE (2023–2027)
The project supports European cities in reaching net-zero goals by developing and piloting innovative, integrated solutions for sustainable urban mobility. It also facilitates knowledge-sharing to inspire other cities to adapt solutions to their contexts. We are building a transformative governance framework as part of the project.

6. Climate-neutral reconstruction for Ukraine

SUN4Ukraine (2024–2028)
This project develops solutions for reconstructing Ukrainian cities to be climate-neutral. By connecting research and networks from the EU’s urban mission to Ukrainian needs, it develops technical, administrative, and financial strategies for sustainable rebuilding. Our role focuses on citizen participation and linking it to governance processes.

7. Climate-optimised timber use

TIMBERHAUS (2024–2028)
The project optimises timber use from forests to construction products to reduce emissions and resource consumption in the building sector. It also builds networks as part of the New European Bauhaus initiative and establishes expertise centres for timber construction. We study urban interfaces in the timber value chain and model actor networks in the sector.

Societal impacts of new technologies

8. Democracy and rapid technological changes

KT4D (2023–2026)
This project examines how democracy and citizen participation can be strengthened amid rapid technological change, such as the rise of AI and big data. It integrates cultural and humanities perspectives to align participatory democracy with software design values, developing tools, guidelines, and a Digital Democracy Lab Demonstrators platform. In 2025, we will contribute academic articles and governance models for democratic AI.

9. Simplifying human-robot interaction

ARISE (2024–2027)
The project simplifies, lowers costs, and expands human-robot interaction (HRI) in Europe by developing tools and methods to implement industrial HRI at scale. We lead the creation of a human-centred ethics framework for evaluating and implementing reliable industrial HRI.

10. Inclusive pilots for marginalised communities

CommuniCity (2022–2025)
This project explores how innovative, digitally inclusive, and sustainable concepts can meet the needs of marginalised communities through 100 pilots across three open calls. We address ethical considerations in piloting and develop a framework for inclusive pilots, finalising it by 2025, along with publishing at least one academic article.

11. Understanding AI’s societal impact

FORSEE (2025–2028)
The project examines AI’s social, economic, and sustainability impacts and aligns them with EU values. It develops an evaluation framework for current and future AI applications and prototypes for registering risks and negative impacts. We will lead communication efforts and co-create scenarios for democratic AI futures.

 12. Blockchain technology for public services

TOKEN (2020-2023)
This Horizon 2020 project investigated the possibilities of public administration’s utilisation of solutions based on data and decentralised ledger technologies (DLT) in the administration’s operations and services. During the 3-year project, Demos Helsinki led stakeholder interaction and the TOKEN Policy Observatory. The project resulted in briefing papers for policymakers and technology developers to guide digital government and data-driven public governance and services. TOKEN concluded in 2023.

Models of transformative governance

13. Transformative governance models

MERGE (2024–2027)
The project focuses on frameworks and indicators for measuring multidimensional well-being. It builds multi-stakeholder networks, facilitates dialogue between science and policy, and develops training tools for policy implementation. We lead activities connecting policymakers and researchers and organise workshops on national policy futures.

14. Reimagining economic models through anti-rival goods

ATARCA (2021-2023)
The project aimed to fix the failures of data markets through distributed ledger technology, focusing on anti-rival tokens. Anti-rival goods are those that gain value when used, while rival goods lose value when consumed. During the 2 year project, the vision was to create new decentralised technology, anti-rival tokens, and scientifically founded proposals for new policies to enable efficient, decentralised, market-style trading and ecosystems for anti-rival goods. We were in charge of policy research and recommendations, focusing on the themes of policy interaction, societal effects of technology and new economic models. ATARCA concluded in 2023.

Evolving directions and practices of democracy

15. Renewing social contracts

CO3 (2024–2027)
This project aims to develop more democratic and inclusive social contract models by analysing tensions between practices, narratives, and lived experiences across Europe. We co-lead this project with the University of Helsinki, producing evidence-based safeguards and mechanisms to promote sustainable contracts. 

16. Institutionalising democratic innovation

Nets4Dem (2023–2026)
This project establishes a European network of professionals and researchers in democracy, civic participation, and citizen education. We collect and analyse practices of democratic innovation and identify challenges to implementing best practices, publishing a comparative analysis on policies and incentives for democratic innovation.

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On top of these research projects, there is one more we expect to announce in 2025. 

On the horizon: The next chapter in research and collaboration

EU research mechanisms could change in the future, but the need to steer research and innovation funding to address key global challenges such as climate change, loss of biodiversity, the digital transition and an ageing population remains. Demos Helsinki’s commitment to these causes continues. Beyond these domains, we must also continue to ensure that knowledge doesn’t remain an abstract idea but an active force in reshaping the world. 

Looking ahead, we are still here—ready to explore new questions, build new alliances, and push the boundaries of what research can achieve. Now is the time to shape the future of European research together. We’re especially keen to hear if you are preparing proposals for upcoming Horizon Europe deadlines starting from September 2025 onwards.

You can read more about our approach to research here.

Get in touch about future Horizon Europe proposals:

Atte Ojanen
Research Manager, Demos Helsinki
atte.ojanen@demoshelsinki.fi