The Societal Advisory Board (SOAB) played a vital role in the development of the Strategic Research Agenda (SRA) which is now the basis for joint activities that focus on implementation. The task of SOAB is to bring the “societal pull” to the research agenda by evaluating joint activities in each phase of their development, implementation and evaluation against societal needs.  This type of collaboration between scientists and a broad spectrum of stakeholders is essential to further develop the SRA so that it can provide knowledge-based solutions for European development.

The SOAB also plays a key role in the general public engagement strategy of the JPI MYBL and supports the JPI in building up national stakeholder involvement through its networks. The SOAB collaborates with Science with and for Society (SwafS) and Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) to promote public engagement and stakeholder inclusion in all stages of the research cycle.