The University of Žilina in Slovakia organized a workshop, “Success factors of H2020 widening instruments in Slovakia: Lessons learnt and future outlook”. The aim of the event was to bring together Slovak participants from various widening instruments (ERA Chairs, Twinning, Teaming, COST) to share their experience and knowledge to assess the success factors for participation in Horizon 2020.

Special focus was placed on the creation of synergies between various funding instruments at the national and European levels. In addition to success factors, the discussion highlighted common, persistent challenges and barriers researchers encounter when participating in these projects.

Dr Michael Burnard, the InnoRenew CoE deputy director, joined the workshop and presented the story of the InnoRenew project’s development and how different COST Actions, such as FP1407 ModWoodLife, FP1303 Performance of bio-based building materials, CA16226 Indoor living space improvement: Smart Habitat for the Elderly and CA16114 REthinking Sustainability TOwards a Regenerative Economy, played an important role in this process from the beginning.

Barbara Rovere, assistant researcher and project manager at the InnoRenew CoE, also attended the workshop to learn about different widening instruments and take advantage of the great networking opportunity.