The architecture of CUSP: Turning vision into action

Pillar 1 maps science diplomacy actors, strategies, initiatives, and training schemes across Europe and selected global regions, using a common taxonomy aligned with the European Framework for Science Diplomacy. The result is an open, findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable (FAIR) evidence base, including an AI exploration tool and examples of good practices across countries and regions to help policymakers and practitioners see the full picture.

Pillar 2 establishes and operates a permanent Science Diplomacy Hub as an impartial online space for dialogue, co-creation, and on-demand policy advice, connects stakeholders through ten thematic Working Groups, and builds engagement beyond Europe, spanning Africa, Asia, the Arab States, Oceania, and the Americas

Pillar 3 equips current and future practitioners with the skills that 21st-century science diplomacy demands. Working with diplomatic academies and training institutions, it co-creates competence frameworks and curricula, pilots training schemes and a train-the-trainer model, and releases open-source materials that can be adopted and scaled far beyond the project.

Pillar 4 drives outreach and stakeholder engagement across all audiences, develops the project’s sustainability strategy to ensure the Science Diplomacy Hub and its outputs live on beyond the project, and creates spaces for exchange through Impact Day events and a dedicated CUSP conference.

Pillar 5 ensures the project runs on solid ground by focusing on open coordination across the consortium, quality assurance, risk management, and interaction with the European Commission.