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Societal Readiness Tool

society and sustainability


Workshop

2-3 h

10-15

Societal Readiness Tool

This workshop is designed to support RDI project teams in assessing and advancing their societal readiness using the Societal Readiness Levels (SRL) assessment scale defined in CETP Exploitation Guidelines. The tool helps identify the current readiness level of the project, define the target readiness level, and outline measures to reach the target.

The purpose of this workshop is to assist RDI teams in systematically assessing their societal readiness and developing strategies to achieve their societal impact goals. The SRL assessment scale provides a structured framework for evaluating and planning the societal engagement journey.

In this workshop, you will:

  • Determine the current Societal Readiness Level (SRL) of your project.
  • Define the target SRL for your project. Develop a detailed action plan to advance your project to the desired SRL.

Project/RDI representatives and diverse stakeholders and partners familiar with the theme from academia, industry, government, and civil society (e.g., community leaders, social scientists, policy makers). Ensure a mix of perspectives, expertise, and roles within each sector. Works best with a group of 10-15 participants.

  1. Pre-Workshop Preparation by the Facilitator 
    • Gather initial data: gather relevant data about the current state of the project, societal needs, stakeholder perspectives, and potential impacts.
    • Conduct a preliminary assessment of the project’s current SRL based on the provided scale.
    • Validate Information: Cross-check the data with multiple sources to ensure accuracy and reliability.
    • Prepare materials and resources, including the SRL assessment scale, example case studies, and templates for action planning.
  2. Organise a workshop of about 2 – 3 hours with the necessary participants.   ​
  3. Conduct the SRL Assessment as Group Work:
    • Introduction to SRL: Present the SRL assessment scale and explain each level in detail, including the proposed measures for achieving each level.
    • Current SRL identification: Use group discussions to identify the current SRL of the project. Consider societal relevance, stakeholder engagement and potential impact.
    • Target SRL definition: Define the target SRL for the project. Discuss the desired societal outcomes and the necessary readiness level to achieve them.
  4. Gap Analysis and Action Plan
    • Gap Analysis: Conduct a gap analysis to identify the differences between the current and target SRLs. Highlight key areas that require development.
    • Action Planning: Develop a detailed action plan to bridge the gap between the current and target SRLs. Assign responsibilities and timelines for each action.
    • Identify the resources (financial, human, technical) needed to implement the action plan. Discuss potential sources of funding and support.
  5. Group Discussion
    • Encourage participants to discuss and refine the action plan. Use real or virtual post-its to visualize and categorize the points on a canvas. Reflect on the feasibility of the action plan and make adjustments as needed. Consider strategies to optimize and strengthen the societal impact plan based on the identified insights. Ask the participants to reflect on the time/funding resources required to implement the societal impact plan. Identify and assign responsible organizations or work packages for each action where possible.

  • Document the completed SRL assessment and the resulting societal impact action plan. Share this summary document with all participants.
  • Use the SRL assessment results to inform the development of detailed societal impact plans, stakeholder engagement strategies, and operational plans for the project’s innovations.

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By conducting a thorough SRL assessment and developing a societal action plan, the RDI project can better structure and implement its societal engagement strategy, enhancing societal impact, stakeholder satisfaction, and overall project success. This process helps identify and align all key components of the societal engagement journey, ensuring a cohesive and effective approach to achieving societal readiness.

  1.  Clear Communication:
    • Clearly communicate workshop objectives and agenda.​
  2.  Facilitator Expertise:
    • If possible, employ a skilled facilitator with experience in societal engagement and strategic planning.​
  3.  Time Management:
    • Allocate sufficient time for each step of the workshop, ensuring a balanced discussion and thorough analysis.
  4.  Capture Insights:
    • Document key insights and decisions made during the workshop. These insights can be valuable for follow-up activities and continuous improvement.​