On 2 October 2026, COST Action CA22124 – ECO4ALL successfully organised its 11th Webinar, “Bridging Research Generations: Senior Expertise and Young Innovation for a Circular Future”, bringing together 102 unique participants from across the ECO4ALL community and beyond.
The webinar created a dynamic space for dialogue between research generations, exploring how senior expertise, young innovation, mentoring, equal opportunities and gender balance can contribute to stronger and more sustainable research communities.
The scientific programme brought together contributions from Prof. Sakdirat Kaewunruen, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom; Prof. Olesea Plotnic, ECO4ALL Action Chair, Moldova State University, Moldova; Prof. Dubravka Akšamović, University of J. J. Strossmayer Osijek, Croatia; Samuel Foli, European College of Innovation Malta, Malta; and Tatia Dolidze, ECO4ALL Gender Balance Adviser, European University, Georgia, who also moderated the webinar.
A central focus of the event was the role of Young Researchers and Innovators (YRIs) within international research networks. The discussions highlighted the importance of creating pathways through which young researchers can move from participation to active scientific contribution, benefiting from mentoring while also bringing new perspectives, methods and innovative approaches to the network.
The webinar also reinforced an important message for the ECO4ALL community: research generations should not work in parallel, but together. Senior researchers contribute experience, continuity and mentoring, while younger researchers bring renewal, new questions and innovative approaches. Connecting these strengths contributes to the long-term sustainability of research networks and supports the development of the next generation of researchers.
The event forms part of the ECO4ALL Webinar Series, developed to strengthen the network not only through in-person activities but also through regular online scientific exchange. ECO4ALL is particularly pleased to see consistently strong engagement in these activities, with recent webinars attracting around or above 100 participants per event.
This sustained participation demonstrates the importance of online activities as a meeting point for knowledge exchange, collaboration and maintaining connections across the growing international ECO4ALL network.
As COST Action CA22124 approaches the completion of its third Grant Period, ECO4ALL will continue to promote opportunities for intergenerational scientific exchange, mentoring, capacity building and meaningful participation of Young Researchers and Innovators.
The key message of the 11th ECO4ALL Webinar was simple:
“Do not only pass on knowledge. Pass on opportunity.”
This is how we bridge research generations and contribute together to a more sustainable and circular future.
