A special meeting of the GRADE Extended core group took place in Brussels (Belgium) on 1-2 October, 2023. The extended core group is a team of GRADE volunteers who focus on leading the main efforts of the action itself and the coordination of each working group. Members of the extended core group also take care of communication, promotion and management of small scale grants within the action (for scientific visits and events).
The extended core group meeting in Brussels was focused on engaging with the following challenges:
- long-term growth strategy for expanding the reach of the network to underrepresented countries and groups;
- streamlining the goals of the action and best means of collaboration between members;
- action work plan and budget for the upcoming year.
The discussions and brainstorming sessions resulted in specific action plans for each challenge. The plans will be driving the action’s supporting activities throughout the upcoming year. In particular, for expanding the network, increasing its public outreach, and increasing the visibility of produced results, the group decided to establish a communication task force.
Giuseppe Lugano, an officer of the COST network also met with the extended core group to inform it about relevant administrative procedures and provide feedback on current activities and budgeting.