Societal Impact in PoF V

One Earth, one programme – and one approach to plan and evaluate the societal impact of our joint research: A group of experts met at the Helmholtz headquarters on 17 and 18 June 2026 to start developing guidelines for impact-oriented planning and evaluation, as well as identifying options for their implementation in the forthcoming Program-Oriented Funding (PoF) phase V of the Helmholtz Research Field Earth and Environment (2028-2034).

The “One Earth - Science and Solutions for a Livable Planet” research programme addresses grand societal challenges and shapes the future of science and society. To achieve this, Earth and Environment engages in dialogues with a broad range of stakeholders. The nine Topics of the new programme plan to use transdisciplinary or co-design approaches and integrate social sciences to ensure their results contribute to innovation and societal development. Some Topics already propose approaches for impact-oriented planning and evaluation, complemented by a broad range of outreach and communication activities. In addition, five cross-cutting Synthesis Themes are specifically designed to synthesise and translate findings from the Topics into societal impact.

Inspired by this strong commitment, around 20 experts on societal impact planning, knowledge transfer, communication, and PoF discussed how societal impact can be achieved and assessed in the research programme. They suggest a harmonised practical approach that strengthens the joint research mission and increases the visibility of its effects. The proposed guidelines will build on the concepts of “Input – Output – Outcome – Impact” (IOOI), the Theory of Change, and Impact Stories with a focus on practical implementation.

“Our interdisciplinary group has taken a substantial step forward”, says Dr. Katharina Sielemann, Consultant for Synthesis and Communication at the Helmholtz Forum Earth and Environment Office and co-organiser of the workshop together with Ruth Krause, HIFMB, Maike Nicolai, GEOMAR, and Dr. Ulrike Sylla, GFZ. “In the coming weeks, we will continue working on our proposal and hope to be able to take it forward to support the goals of the ‘One Earth’ programme.”