The Franxini Project fosters mutual understanding between science, politics, and society by equipping researchers to engage effectively in democratic decision-making processes.
BRIDGING SCIENCE, POLITICS, AND SOCIETY
The Franxini Project addresses the persistent gap between the scientific community and political decision-makers in Switzerland. By building structured collaboration and fostering mutual respect, the project ensures that research-based knowledge can meaningfully inform democratic governance, while also helping researchers develop a deeper understanding of democratic values and institutions. This dual mission strengthens democracy by preventing the rise of technocracy or epistemocracy and encouraging evidence-informed policymaking through inclusive, participatory dialogue.
INNOVATIVE TRAINING FORMATS
The project’s core offerings create dynamic spaces for exchange between researchers, policymakers, administrators, and civil society actors:
- Franxini Dialogue: Co-creative dialogue rounds that bring together stakeholders from research, politics, administration, industry, and civil society to collaboratively address current societal challenges.
- Franxini Boot Camp: One-day education and training sessions for researchers of all disciplines and career levels, combining theoretical input on Swiss democracy and science-policy relations with hands-on dialogue with political actors.
- Franxini Briefings: Topical evening events connecting researchers with cantonal politicians and administrative staff, enabling practical policy discussions at a regional level often overlooked in national science-policy interfaces.
These initiatives are designed to be multilingual, multidisciplinary, and inclusive, empowering researchers across the academic spectrum to contribute meaningfully to political processes.
IMPACTFUL POLICYMAKING
The Franxini Project operates across all levels of Swiss government—federal, cantonal, and local—ensuring that policy innovation is rooted in collaboration. Its tailored programs address the distinct needs of cantons and support researchers in developing implementable, locally grounded policy solutions. By translating between the “languages” of science and politics, the project enhances mutual understanding and builds a more sustainable, robust science-policy interface. Through its grassroots community approach, the Franxini Project cultivates a growing network of science-policy ambassadors.
