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The kick-off meeting of POLICY ENLARGE concluded last week on 22 April 2026 in Budapest, where consortium partners gathered for two days of structured discussion, planning, and collaboration at the official start of the project.
Hosted by the Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design (MOME); the meeting opened with welcomes from the host institution, the European Commission, and the project coordinatr, Regional Centre for Information and Scientific Development (RCISD). The event marked the formal launch of a new phase in research and innovation policy cooperation across the enlargement region, building on the experience and networks developed through POLICY ANSWERS.
The morning sessions on the first day established the project’s broader policy and operational framework. A policy perspective from the European Commission placed the initiative within the wider European research and innovation context, while the project overview clarified the project’s objectives, current state of play, and expected results. A further session reflected on the relationship between POLICY ANSWERS and POLICY ENLARGE, underlining both continuity and the expanded scope of the new project.
The meeting then turned to the presentation of the first four work packages, combining presentations with discussion among partners. These sessions focused on policy dialogue, policy guidance and learning, joint calls and actions, and capacity building. Together, the consortium addressed stakeholder identification, policy learning needs, financial support schemes, collaborative actions, training approaches, and the practical methodologies that will shape implementation in the first phase of the project.
The second day focused on communication, dissemination, stakeholder engagement, project management, and coordination. Discussions covered visibility and outreach strategies, internal procedures, governance structures, financial management, and the operational rules that will support the consortium’s work over the coming three years. The meeting concluded with a final discussion session that allowed partners to address open questions, confirm next steps, and consolidate the basis for further cooperation.
Overall, the kick-off meeting succeeded in establishing a shared understanding of the project’s goals and policy context, clarifying roles and responsibilities across the consortium, and strengthening collaboration and trust among partners at the outset of implementation. The balance between formal working sessions and networking opportunities contributed to a productive and engaged atmosphere, providing a strong foundation for the next stages of the project.
Read the kickoff meeting review.
