Upcoming Webinar: Ethics in EU-Funded Projects - From Policy to Practice
On October 8, 2025, we invite you to join an in-depth webinar dedicated to one of the most fundamental aspects of research and innovation - ethics. Organised by Law and Internet Foundation (LIF) as part of the UP2030 project, this is the third webinar in the series and will focus on how ethical principles can be effectively translated into concrete practices within Horizon Europe projects.
Although ethical compliance is a formal requirement in all EU-funded projects, many teams struggle with applying these principles in real-world settings. Ethics is often viewed as a box to tick in the proposal phase, yet it should in fact remain a guiding framework throughout the entire project lifecycle. From engaging citizens in co-creation activities to testing digital solutions in urban environments, ethics plays a critical role in ensuring that innovation is not only effective but also fair, inclusive, and sustainable.
This webinar will explore the ethical dimensions of Horizon Europe projects by drawing on specific experiences and best practices from the UP2030 initiative, which supports European cities in their transition toward sustainable, people-centered futures. The speaker, Polina Petrova - a legal expert at LIF with extensive experience in Horizon Europe and European Defence Fund (EDF) projects - will offer a practical perspective on navigating ethical and legal challenges in large-scale research and innovation actions. She will address the key ethical considerations that arise during project implementation, including human participation in research, responsible communication and dissemination, the ethical implications of testing and piloting new solutions, and the integration of ethics in the design and deployment of technical tools.
Participants will gain insight into how to build and maintain ethical awareness across all stages of a project - from planning and stakeholder engagement to technical development and communication. The session will also examine the importance of data protection, transparency, and accountability when working with urban communities, and how ethical reflection can help avoid unintended consequences when developing innovative solutions.
This webinar is particularly relevant for project coordinators, researchers, ethics officers, communication leads, local authorities, and anyone involved in the implementation of EU-funded projects, especially within the framework of Horizon Europe. Whether you are looking to strengthen your project’s ethical foundations or better understand your responsibilities in working with people, data, and technologies, this session will provide valuable guidance grounded in real project experience.
The event will begin at 10:00 CET and will take place online. Attendance is free, but registration is required. To reserve your place, please follow this link: https://forms.office.com/e/ZbkTM4ngFk
We look forward to welcoming participants from across Europe who are committed to making ethics a core component of responsible innovation. This is an opportunity not only to learn, but to reflect critically on how we design and implement projects that aim to create long-term positive impact in our societies.
