31/05/2026
The European project Co.Science – Meet Research to Connect Science and Society concluded on March 31, 2026, at the Auditorium Stefano Cerri in Milan. The closing event, entitled “Spaces for Dialogue between Science and Society,” marked the final stage of a two-year journey aimed at building strong bridges between the world of research and the public, with a particular focus on schools. The event revisited key themes and opened new channels for future collaborations with the stakeholders involved throughout the project experience.
Funded by the European Union, Co.Science organized the European Researchers’ Night in six Lombardy cities (Milan, Varese, Como, Busto Arsizio, Lodi, and Lecco) during the 2024–2026 period, while also delivering numerous activities for and with schools across the Lombardy Region. The initiative’s success was ensured by a strategic partnership among leading institutions: the National Research Council (CNR), the University of Insubria, the Federation of Scientific and Technical Associations (FAST), the Italbiotec consortium, and the National Museum of Science and Technology “Leonardo da Vinci” in Milan.
Thanks to the work of nearly 1,200 people over the two years — including researchers, experts, and professionals from various fields — the project succeeded in organizing events across one of the country’s most densely populated areas. Each year, around seventy schools in Lombardy and more than 5,000 students were involved, while the wider public was introduced to a broad range of scientific topics: from pure science to engineering, chemistry, physics, biology, food sciences, and the humanities, through more than 250 workshops every school year.
The European Researchers’ Night took place simultaneously in the cities of Milan (across two venues: the National Museum of Science and Technology “Leonardo da Vinci” and the city center), Como, Varese, and Busto Arsizio, with Verbania joining the 2025 edition. Additional “satellite” events in Lodi and Lecco further expanded the initiative’s outreach, ensuring widespread science communication and creating an active network of scientific citizenship throughout the region.Given its significant impact — measurable both in participation and networking activities among organizations, companies, and institutions — it is worth recalling that the CNR, coordinator of the consortium, brought research directly into the heart of Milan with the support of the Municipality. Events were hosted in Piazza del Duomo (at the Arengario in 2024 and at the Loggia dei Mercanti in 2025).
The initiative became an important opportunity to share experiences, strategies, and models capable of representing the most modern and current scientific visions, reaching a broad and diverse audience estimated overall at more than 33,500 people over the two-year period. This achievement was made possible thanks to the contributions of the project partners, who helped create welcoming and engaging public spaces for both interested visitors and curious passersby.
At the core of the project was the extensive educational program dedicated to schools in Milan and across Lombardy. Through thematic events, interactive workshops, and direct dialogue with researchers, educational activities were transformed into engaging experiences involving more than 10,000 students over two years, from kindergarten through secondary school. Students became active participants in scientific research, gaining insight into the principles, needs, and challenges of the scientific world.
Beyond public engagement, Co.Science also invested in the training of researchers by offering educational and discussion-based programs aimed at improving communication and interpersonal skills. In this context, and with a strong emphasis on inclusivity and accessibility, collaborations such as those with the Italian National Association for the Visually Impaired proved especially valuable.
The project was therefore much more than a traditional science communication initiative: it was a genuine experiment in participatory science based on two-way dialogue with civil society. By actively involving citizens, teachers, and especially young students, the initiative transformed the public into key participants in the discovery process. By bringing experts out of laboratories and into direct contact with the community’s needs and curiosities, Co.Science also highlighted the role of researchers in inspiring STEAM careers among younger generations, making science a shared and accessible resource.
The event at Auditorium Cerri was not only a milestone and an opportunity for a final review, but also a moment of discussion involving representatives from institutions, research organizations, and experts in the field. It offered a chance to shape future perspectives and foster new collaborations through the insights and contributions of authoritative voices in science communication. It was therefore fitting that the afternoon session opened with Massimo Polidoro — journalist, author, and science communicator — who helped relaunch key themes and encourage new ideas and proposals.
Co.Science demonstrates how science can become a common language, capable of bringing together research and active citizenship within a shared space for growth.
Per informazioni:
Laura Polito
CNR - Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche "Giulio Natta"
Sede di Via G. Fantoli 16/15 20138 Milano
laura.polito@cnr.it
CNR coordinator team: Polito Laura, Marelli Marcello, Raffaella Soave e Michela Tassistro
In collaborazione con:
Università degli Studi dell'Insubria, Museo Nazionale Scienza e Tecnologia Leonardo da Vinci, Federazione delle Associazioni Scientifiche e Tecniche -FAST, Consorzio Italbiotec e Comune di Milano. Patrocinio della Regione Lombardia
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