Dina Hadad – Vice Chair of K-Peritia
Reflections from Brussels: A Day of Learning, Sharing, and Community at the COST Action Chairs Forum
On April 23rd, 2025 I had the honour of representing K-Peritia as Vice Chair at the COST Action Chairs Forum in Brussels. This annual training and exchange event brought together leaders from across Europe to share insights, challenges, and solutions from our respective Actions. The focus of the day was well articulated: learning from those who have navigated the early years of their COST journey and building stronger, more resilient networks for the future.
As K-Peritia continues to grow, it was invaluable to hear from some of the more mature Actions—those who have already walked the path we are now on. Their experiences offered us a mirror and a guide: how to effectively reach out to stakeholders, manage growing memberships, handle budgets and grants with transparency and agility, and crucially keep participation alive and meaningful.
The sessions were more than just practical training; they felt like a collective ‘therapy session’ for Action Chairs. The room buzzed with openness, reflection, and mutual support. It was a space where all thoughts were welcomed; successes, struggles, and those quiet doubts we all carry but rarely voice. In that environment, the conversations boiled down into clear, practical solutions often simple, often shared on how to create something sustainable, inclusive, and worthwhile.
One of the key takeaways for me was the importance of cultivating a true community within our Actions not just a network of researchers, but a collaborative, energising environment where people feel motivated to participate, contribute, and stay involved over time. Incentivising engagement, communicating clearly and often, and fostering a shared sense of purpose came up again and again as essential strategies.
The forum reminded us that COST Actions are not just research projects—they are dynamic, living collaborations. To thrive, they need attention, dedication, flexibility, and care. The insights I gained from this day will undoubtedly feed into our work at K-Peritia as we continue to grow, adapt, and build something that lasts beyond the funding cycle.
I left Brussels feeling both grounded and inspired—grateful for the opportunity to listen and learn, and committed to weaving these lessons into our journey ahead.
This is an output of K-Peritia COST Action 22101