The LIAISE COST Action Management Committee held its most recent meeting online, chaired by Ms. Almudena Muñoz. While quorum was not reached for formal voting procedures, the session provided a valuable opportunity to share updates on Working Group (WG) activities, grant awards, budget execution, and upcoming events.
Working Group Progress Reports
WG1
WG1 has successfully completed and submitted deliverable D1.4 and co-organized a thematic workshop within a bilateral European project. The group is now focused on D1.2, due at the end of the grant period. A face-to-face meeting is scheduled for September 3 in Berlin to advance this work, with 12 volunteers already engaged.
WG2
WG2 has been particularly active, organizing six virtual meetings, two webinars, and two in-person events (in Istanbul and Skopje). WG2 has recently submitted a joint paper to Computer & Industrial Engineering and is preparing a collaborative book titled Multidisciplinary Perspectives and Innovative Approaches in Industrial Symbiosis and Circular Economy. The next WG2 workshop is scheduled for mid-May in Izmir.
WG3
WG3 reported strong engagement and communication within their members, with meetings held every 4–6 weeks. Although deliverables are not due until month 30, work is already underway, especially on Task 3.4, which has presented some challenges. WG3 is closely collaborating with WG2 and WG4, and will participate in a joint workshop in Pardubice (May 27–28) focused on stakeholder identification.
WG4
WG4 has been advancing several communication and dissemination initiatives. Two podcasts have been recorded and are currently in post-production. A new press release will be published in May, and the newsletter has been rescheduled for October. WG4 continues to monitor social media performance and encourages broader engagement, especially on YouTube. The group also offers support for the dissemination of activities organized by other WGs.
Grant Awards
Grant Awarding co-leader presented the current status of grants. During the second grant period, 21 proposals have been approved (2 Dissemination Conferences, 8 ITCGs, 9 STSMs, and 2 Virtual Mobilities). Reallocation of unused travel funds allowed for an increase in the number of awarded grants. New internal rules were also announced to prevent post-event funding approvals.
Looking Ahead
The next Management Committee meeting will be held in person in November 2025. Volunteers to host this one-day event are welcome, with the Core Group meeting scheduled for the morning and the MC meeting in the afternoon.
The Chair concluded by thanking all participants for their ongoing commitment and collaboration in moving the Action forward.
