On Tuesday, 10 February, the LIAISE COST Action successfully gathered in Lisbon despite heavy rain and stormy weather affecting the city. The challenging conditions did not prevent members from coming together for a full day of strategic discussions and planning, reflecting the strong commitment of the network.
The morning was dedicated to the Core Group Meeting, where participants reviewed the progress achieved so far across the Action. Particular attention was given to the work of Working Group 3 (WG3), which has important deliverables to complete during this third Grant Period. The discussion focused not only on timelines and responsibilities, but also on ensuring the quality and impact of the outputs. In addition, the Core Group began reflecting on the exploitation of results and the long-term sustainability of LIAISE, considering how to consolidate achievements and maximise the Action’s legacy as it moves closer to its final phase.
In the afternoon, the Management Committee Meeting brought together representatives to address key governance and strategic matters. During the session, a new Co-Leader for Working Group 4 (WG4) was elected, with formal revalidation expected in the coming weeks. The Committee also discussed the organisation of the Final Conference planned for the last year of the Action, as well as the expanded grant awarding opportunities available this year, following an increase in budget. A significant part of the conversation focused on strengthening engagement within the network and finding ways to further integrate active contributions from the nearly 400 members who form part of LIAISE.
The meetings in Lisbon marked another important step forward for the Action, reinforcing collaboration, strategic alignment, and shared responsibility across the network.
LIAISE warmly thanks the University of Lisbon and its Faculty of Sciences for their generous hosting and support throughout the day.