The EUARENAS kick-off workshop was held online on the 21st and 22nd of January. It was hosted by the Lead Partner of the consortium, the University of Eastern Finland.
Despite the virtual nature of the event, the online meeting gave everyone the opportunity to become familiar with each of the consortium teams and their individual members and was characterised by excitement to start the research work and a budding team spirit. The consortium was also pleased to meet their Project Officer and Policy Officer from the Commission’s Research Executive Agency and hear their expectations and advice.
The kick-off meeting also served to re-familiarise partners with the central objectives of the project and specific workpackage related details. The members of the consortium were able to appreciate the various professional backgrounds and expectations that the teams represent. As an intersectoral project, EUARENAS brings together practitioners, civil society activists and promoters of citizen participation and engaged universities. It transcends the boundaries of academic disciplines and professional specialization to develop a more comprehensive focus on social change and social learning.
Overall, the kick-off meeting successfully prepared the EUARENAS partners for the next 3.5 years of intensive research and interaction with stakeholders and policy-makers.