Last Updated: [20 January 2025]

Welcome to the Futures4europe foresight platform (hereafter the “Platform” or the “Futures4Europe”), homebase for the R&I foresight community and a one-stop shop for foresight activities in Europe and beyond, powered by UEFISCDI (hereafter "We," "Us," or "Our"). These Terms of Use (hereafter the “Terms”, the “Terms of Use” or the “Agreement”) govern your access to and use of the Platform, including all associated content and features.

By using the Futures4Europe Platform you agree to the present Terms of Use. These Terms form an integral whole with our Privacy Policy and Cookies Policy . If you do not agree to all of these, do not use the Platform.

We request that the users read these Terms of Use prior to any use of the Platform since they may be adapted and/or amended by UEFISCDI at any time.
If you need any help or any additional information, you can contact our Content Management Specialist at: info@futures4europe.eu.

This Privacy Policy explains the terminology employed hereunder, the reason for the processing of your personal data, the way we collect, handle and ensure protection of all personal data provided, how that information is used and what rights you have in relation to your personal data. Additionally, it provides the contact information of the responsible Data Controller, whom you can reach out to in order to exercise your rights.

Users of Futures4Europe are strongly encouraged to read this Policy carefully.

I. Definitions

1. “Agreement” refers, collectively, to all the terms, conditions, notices contained or referenced in this document and procedures that we may publish from time to time on the Platform. The Agreement includes our Privacy Policy and Cookies Policy .

2. “Platform” refers to Future4europe’s website located at https://www.futures4europe.eu/ and all the content provided through it.

3. "Member" (also referred to as "you" and "your") - a User who successfully opens an account on the Platform. An account serves as User’s identity on Futures4europe platform.

4. "User" (also referred to as "you" and "your") - anyone who accesses or uses the Platform for any purpose.zoo

5. "Visitor" (also referred to as "you" and "your") - an unregistered User of the Platform.

6. “Content” refers to content optionally featured or displayed through the Platform Info Pages by a Member, including, but not limited to.: (i) Projects: foresight-related projects which provide evidence to policymakers for designing future-resilient policies; (ii) Project results: Books, articles, , training materials, images, graphics, software, applications, and other relevant materials which highlights the joint foresight work between key actors and stakeholders; (iii) Posts (Articles): Editorials that promote personal views and opinions on foresight topics of common interest; (iv) Organizations: Institutional profiles of municipalities, research agencies, stakeholders; (v) Persons: Personal profiles of foresight experts and domain expert and (vi) Events: Foresight-related events such as webinars, workshops, seminars and training modules.

II. User Agreement and registration

2.1. You may use our Platform only if you agree to these Terms of Use and to our Privacy Policy and Cookies Policy. In order to access certain features of our Platform, you have to be registered.

2.2. You can only create an account if you meet our eligibility criteria. A user must provide their real name and a valid email address in order to complete the registration process. Subject to these Terms of Use, you retain ultimate administrative control over your account and the Content associated with it.

2.3. The following eligibility criteria have to be met in order to become a Member:

2.4. Upon becoming a Member, you commit to:

2.5. You are prohibited from using the Platform if you appear on any sanction lists maintained by the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, or if you are otherwise restricted from accessing the Platform under applicable law.

2.6. All Members who opened heir accounts before the implementation of this Agreement must accept them to continue using our Platform.

III. Our Platform

3.1. Futures4Europe mission is to establish: (i) A common repository of foresight projects and results, foresight methods and training materials; (ii) A social network of organizations and experts engaged in R&I foresight, which constitutes a continually updating database of actors who could be involved in shaping the future of their domains; (iii) A gate of communication regarding current foresight activities and events and (iv) prospects for building a better future.

3.2. The Platform enables you to explore a wide range of foresight projects, research, discussions, journals, events, as well as opportunities for collaboration, learning, professional development, and career advancement.

3.3. The Platform allows Members to share their work, knowledge, professional insights, and ideas through their Content. Additionally, Members can use the platform to highlight their professional identity, including details such as education, work experience, credentials, skills, expertise, participation in events, and involvement in foresight projects or other relevant activities.

3.4. While we strive to ensure continuous availability of the Platform, disruptions or temporary suspensions may occur due to maintenance, security needs, capacity constraints, or unforeseen events beyond our control.

IV. Content

4.1. As a Member of the Platform, you may view Content shared by other Members and share your own content. Both of these are subject to a few conditions.

4.2. As a User of the Platform, you may access the Content of the Platform made available by other Members.

4.3. You may use the Content shared by Members on the Platform in accordance with applicable laws, including copyright laws (and any relevant exceptions or limitations), or in compliance with any applicable licensing terms. Trademarks and logos displayed on the Platform are the property of their respective owners.

4.4. You are responsible for compliance with all applicable local laws, and you are solely responsible for any damage or loss to any party resulting from your access to or use of the Content.

4.5. All Content is the sole responsibility of the individual who published it. We do not endorse Member content made available on the Platform, nor do we routinely monitor it for legal violations or breaches of Platform Code of Conduct. We do not manually or automatically review Content or use algorithmic decision-making for Content moderation. Consequently, unless we are notified, we are not aware of any possible infringements, inappropriate or inaccurate Content, or legal violations arising from Members.

4.6. Once we become aware of illegal Content, we will take action to remove or disable access to it. For Content published by Members, including personal data, and made available on the Platform, we cannot ensure its accuracy or validity. However, we will review and address any issues that are reported to us.

4.7. You may report inappropriate, inaccurate, or illegal Content, including alleged intellectual property infringements info@futures4europe.eu.

4.8. If we receive a complaint from someone about something that you have posted or uploaded, we will investigate the complaint carefully.

4.9. Without prejudice to the above provision, Futures4Europe reserves the right to delete any Content that infringes the European or national legal provision, any content that is inappropriate or inaccurate, or any content that violates Futures4Europe Code of Conduct.

4.10. The Platform reserves the right to review and modify the tags used in a piece of content if they are deemed unsuitable or inappropriate for that content.

4.11. As a Member, you retain full ownership rights over your Content. However, by publishing Content, you grant us a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license, with the right to sublicense, to use your content for purposes such as hosting, reproducing, distributing, modifying, copying, publicly performing or displaying, translating, and creating derivative works, all for the sole purpose of making our Platform available and improving it. Additionally, you grant Users a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, non-transferable, and non-sublicensable license to access and use your Content solely in connection with their use of the Platform.

4.12. If you do not have the legal rights to grant the licenses related to any of your Content, you agree not to upload or publish that Content. You are responsible for ensuring that the use of your Content, as outlined in these Terms of Use, does not infringe or violate the rights of any third party, including privacy rights, publicity rights, patents, copyrights, contract rights, or any other intellectual property or proprietary rights. If your Content contains personal data, you must have a legal basis to share that data. Unless legal exceptions or limitations apply, you represent and warrant that you own or control all necessary rights or licenses required to publish the Content on the Platform. For instance, while many journal publishers allow certain versions of research papers to be posted, most impose restrictions on sharing the final published versions. To ensure you have the right to upload such content, you should review your publishing agreement and the publisher’s copyright policies before uploading any version of an research paper.

4.13. You can terminate the licenses for specific Content by deleting it from the Platform where possible, or by closing your account. You may delete the Content published by you at any time, with a few exceptions. For instance, you may not be able to delete your Content if its removal could affect the Content submitted by others. Please note that some of your Content may still be visible after you close your account, specifically the pages you created. Additionally, any messages you sent will still be accessible to their recipients.

4.14. When you delete your Content, our right to use it will end, except that we may retain a backup copy for a reasonable period of time, as required to fulfill our legal obligations. However, the deleted Content will not be generally available to other users or members.

4.15. You acknowledge that, your profile information and content may be visible to and shared with third parties, including other Members. Additionally, you understand that we cannot and do not control the actions of these third parties.

V. Code of Conduct

5.1. Our Code of Conduct establish the standards for acceptable behavior and Content on the Platform, and outline what is considered inappropriate. If you violate this Code of Conduct or Terms of Use, we may take action against your Content or account, which could include issuing a strike.

5.2. In general, when we receive a report indicating that Content or behavior on the Platform violates these Terms of Use, our Code of Conduct, or applicable law, the reported Content or behavior will be reviewed by a human.

5.3. Similarly, if we determine that you may have violated these Terms of Use, our Code of Conduct, or applicable law, we will conduct an investigation.

5.4. If, after reviewing the Content or conduct, we find objective reasons to believe it violates these Terms of Use, our Code of Conduct, or the law, or poses a risk of harm or potential legal liability for us or a User we may take appropriate action. Such actions may include:

5.5. When deciding whether to take action, we carefully evaluate a range of factors. These include the specific context and circumstances of the situation, the nature and gravity of the issue, and the potential impact on all parties involved. We also assess the rights and legitimate interests of those affected, the intent behind the actions in question, and whether there have been any prior related incidents. This comprehensive approach ensures that any decisions made are fair, balanced, and proportionate to the circumstances.

5.6. If we choose to take action regarding your Content or account, we may inform you of the specific measures taken and the reasons behind them. However, there may be situations where we are unable to provide such notification, such as when legal constraints apply, or when it would be unreasonable to do so given the circumstances.

5.7. You have the right to appeal our decision internally by sending an email at info@futures4europe.eu. We will re-evaluate our initial decision and inform you of the outcome.

5.8. If you repeatedly submit reports or appeals that are evidently unfounded, we reserve the right to temporarily suspend further processing of those requests.

VI. Termination of this Agreement

6.1. You are free to end this Agreement at any time. We also reserve the right to terminate this Agreement, either with or without notice, if there is just cause.

6.2. As a Member, you may terminate this agreement at any time and for any reason by deleting your account.

6.3. We may terminate this agreement without cause with a notice period of 10 days. In addition, we reserve the right to immediately terminate the agreement for just cause at any time. "Just cause" refers to any circumstance that makes it unreasonable for us to continue the Agreement through the full notice period, taking into account the specific situation and the interests of both parties. Just cause includes, but is not limited to, the following situations:

6.4. If we terminate this Agreement, we may close your account or disable your access. Upon termination, the following provisions will remain in effect:

VII. Amendments to this agreement

We may periodically update these Terms of Use to clarify provisions, reflect changes in our Platform, or comply with legal requirements. You will be bound by the new terms either by explicitly agreeing to them or by being notified of the changes. We will inform you of any updates by sending an email and/or through a notification on the Platform. It is your responsibility to regularly check your email and account for such notifications.

VIII. Contractual and legal liability

8.1. You agree to indemnify and protect Futures4Europe from any claims or demands, including reasonable legal fees, made by third parties as a result of your Content, violation of these Terms of Use, misuse of the Platform, breach of any law, or infringement of a third party's rights.

8.2. The software that powers the Platform, along with the site design, Content, logos, graphics, and the database, are protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws across various jurisdictions. We retain all intellectual property rights in the Platform.

8.3. To the maximum extent allowed by law, the Futures4Europe shall not be liable for any losses, damages, liabilities, costs, or claims that may arise directly or indirectly from your use of the Platform, including any use of your member account or data by a third party. You irrevocably release and hold the Futures4Europe harmless from any such costs.

8.4. Our contractual liability is limited to the typical foreseeable damages that arise from a breach of essential contractual obligations caused by slight negligence. Essential contractual obligations refer to those duties that are fundamental to the proper execution of this Agreement, and which the parties can reasonably expect to be fulfilled. Any other liability on the part of Futures4Europe is expressly excluded.

8.5. Futures4Europe is not involved in, nor does it become a party to, any agreements that Users enter into with one another through the Platform. Users assume full responsibility for the performance, fulfillment, and enforcement of any agreements they choose to make. Futures4Europe disclaims all liability for any breaches, disputes, or failures arising from such agreements, including any obligations or commitments resulting from them. In the event of a disagreement, dispute, or conflict between you and a third party, you acknowledge that Futures4Europe has no responsibility, nor any duty, to intervene, mediate, or resolve such matters. It is your responsibility to manage and resolve these issues independently.

8.6. Our Platform may include links to third-party websites or services that are not owned or controlled by Futures4Europe. We have no control over these external sites and accept no responsibility for their content or policies. We advise you to exercise caution when navigating away from the Platform and to review the terms and privacy policies of any external sites you visit.

8.7. These Terms of Use shall be governed by the laws of Romania.

8.7. The courts of Bucharest, Romania, shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any disputes arising from or related to these Terms of Use.

8.9. We do not use alternative dispute resolution procedures to resolve disputes with Users.

8.10. If any provision or part of these Terms of Use is found to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the other provisions will remain unaffected and fully intact.

8.11. All administrative emails from Futures4Europe will be sent to the email address associated with your account. It is your responsibility to ensure that this email address remains current and valid. If the email address becomes invalid or is unable to receive emails for any reason, the delivery of an email containing a notice will still be considered effective and binding. It is essential that you keep your contact information updated to ensure you receive all important communications from Futures4Europe.

IX. Account Security

9.1. You are responsible for all the Content published by you.

9.2. You are responsible for maintaining the security of your account and password.

9.3. Do not share private communications, personal data of minors, or personal or sensitive data of any other person without a legal basis to do so. This includes sharing someone’s private information online without their permission.

9.4. Do not share confidential information, trade secrets, or any information you do not have a right to share.

X. Additional Terms

The Website is hosted by WIX, whose head office is located at: Wix.com Inc. 100 Gansevoort Street, New York, NY 10014 USA Attn: Copyright Agent

Telephone Number: 1-415-358-0857 | Fax: 1-415-358-0884

E-mail: abuse@wix.com

XI. AI Services

As part of the Wix Services, Wix may provide you with access to artificial intelligence and machine learning tools and products, which will help you build your User Platform by generating Content. This section applies only to the extent AI Services are used by you as part of the Wix Services.

XII. Platform Use

12. 1. You agree to use the Platform in a lawful, ethical, and responsible manner.

12.2. We take all reasonable precautions and apply the necessary expertise to ensure that our site is secure and free from viruses or other malware.

12.3. You are responsible for protecting your hardware, software, data and other material from viruses, malware, and other internet security risks.

12.4. You must not intentionally introduce viruses, malware, or any other malicious or harmful technology to or through our Platform. Additionally, you are prohibited from attempting to gain unauthorized access to any part of our site, the server where it is hosted, or any related server, computer, or database. Furthermore, you must not engage in any attacks on our site.

12.5. By violating the provisions outlined above, you may be committing a serious offense. Any such breaches will be reported to the appropriate law enforcement authorities, and we will fully cooperate by providing them your identification data. In the event of such a breach, your right to use our Platform will be immediately revoked.

XIII. Disclaimer

13.1. The Platform and foresight Content are provided "AS IS" and without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to the warranties of fitness for a particular purpose. We do not warrant that the Platform will be uninterrupted, error-free, or free of viruses or other harmful components. You assume all risk of using the Platform.

13.2. We strive to ensure the accuracy of all information provided on the website. If you come across any inaccuracies, please notify us, and where we agree, we will correct them as soon as reasonably possible.

13.3. While we hope Futures4Europe will be of value to users, we do not guarantee that the information is accurate, up-to-date, or complete. We make no warranties regarding the Content of the website and disclaim all liability to the fullest extent permitted by law. Any information on the site should be independently verified before being relied upon.

13.4. The Content on the Platform is provided by Members. Opinions, advice, statements, offers, or other information presented by Members reflect the views of their respective authors or distributors, not Futures4Europe. We do not necessarily endorse or accept responsibility for the accuracy or reliability of any such opinions or statements.

XIV. Contact Us

If You have any questions about these Terms, please contact us at info@futures4europe.eu.