The CASRI project has published “Selected topics for the matchmaking process for environmental and sustainability research and innovation”. The report consolidates the extensive preparatory work carried out so far within CASRI and provides an overview of the main results achieved in view of the development of the CASRI Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA).
From broad consultation to selected topics
The report presents a set of shortlisted topics for environmental and sustainability research and innovation (ES R&I). These topics are primarily aimed at serving the matchmaking process between potential research and innovation funders at European and national levels, while at the same time forming the basis for the formation of the CASRI SRIA. The selected topics represent transnational commons, addressing ES R&I needs and challenges that are relevant for Europe or shared by several European countries and regions.
A co-creation process across Europe
The selection of topics builds on an extensive co-creation process involving stakeholders from fourteen European countries and regions. Through this process, more than 600 research and innovation priorities were identified by stakeholders as socially, economically and ecologically relevant. These priorities focus on locally and nationally relevant issues, reflect current scientific understanding, address policy concerns and consider economic factors as well as anticipated future challenges related to sustainability transitions.
Refinement, criteria and thematic structure
The initial priorities were screened to identify transnational issues, which were further discussed in expert workshops and refined based on insights from selected literature and expert evaluation. The criteria guiding the selection included transnational importance for sustainability transition, policy relevance and potential to establish transnational funding. The resulting topics are organised under four environmental and sustainability themes - Resilient, net-zero, circular production systems; Biodiversity and climate; Sustainable urbanisation; Nature, environmentally and socially friendly energy transition - and four cross-cutting societal challenges - Security; Democracy and participation; Regulatory efficiency and competitiveness; and Digitalisation.
Systemic, transversal and actionable knowledge needs
Each topic is described using a common and structured format, providing a concise overview of its contribution to environmental and sustainability challenges, its societal and policy relevance at transnational level, and the systemic, transversal and actionable knowledge needs it addresses. Particular attention is given to knowledge needs that cut across sectors and policy domains, connect environmental, social and economic dimensions, and support decision-making under complex and uncertain conditions. The report also identifies areas where Environmental Protection Agencies (EPAs) and similar organisations can contribute to and demonstrate added value, notably by linking science, policy and practice, supporting evidence-based policymaking, facilitating coordination across governance levels.
From topic selection to feedback and matchmaking
The last CASRI online workshop, held on 2 December 2025, builds directly on this publication. The workshop advanced the co-design of the SRIA by translating selected topics into research and innovation questions and discussing the organisation of the SRIA to support co-ownership, synergy and pre-implementation.
As a next step, an online meeting scheduled for 29 January will present feedback gathered through the topics pre-selection survey and the December workshop, and elaborate on ways forward. The meeting will focus on promoting synergies and experience sharing among National Contacts, responsible for implementing national comprehensive reviews and connecting local priorities to the broader transnational process. Further, National Key Stakeholders, being experts from research, policy and funding sectors, are actively contributing to identifying environmental R&I needs, supporting convergence towards the CASRI Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda.