Events

How can Research Infrastructures (RIs) drive excellence across Europe? This question was at the heart of the Second RICH Europe Symposium on Research Infrastructures, where Ornela De Giacomo, Deputy Executive Director of CERIC-ERIC, outlined the vital role RIs play in strengthening capacity building, access, and training in Widening countries.

Speaking on behalf of CERIC-ERIC, De Giacomo presented several of the consortium’s projects contributing to this shared goal, among them ERA-SHUTTLE. That very objective lies at the core of the project’s mission: through training and secondments, ERA-SHUTTLE promotes knowledge exchange between academia and industry and fosters industry-research collaboration, reinforcing research and innovation ecosystems in Poland, Croatia, and Malta. As De Giacomo emphasised, widening excellence is not only about access: it is about empowering talent, building lasting capacity, and creating durable impact across the European Research Area.

The first day of the Symposium closed on a highly interactive note. The main conference room was reimagined as four dynamic Thematic Corners dedicated to dialogue, exchange, and strategic networking. The Transnational Access (TNA) Corner focused on expanding cross-border access; the EU Mission Corner explored how RIs can align with Europe’s key societal challenges; the Industry Corner addressed stronger links between research and innovation; and the International Cooperation Corner considered global partnerships in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Four conversations converged on one shared vision: making Research Infrastructures more open, impactful, and globally connected. Designed to spark genuine dialogue and forge real connections, the session turned ideas into concrete next steps, closing a first day defined by energy, collaboration, and a shared commitment to the future of European research.

To learn more about the project, visit erashuttle.eu