On October 22 and 23, Barcelona became a vibrant hub of exchange and synergies as PRIMA’s Project Day welcomed 98 participants from 12 countries. The gathering brought together 70 project representatives from the last two years (2022 & 2023)—alongside PRIMA staff, SAC members, and National Funding Agency representatives from Bulgaria, France, Spain, and Portugal. This year’s event was a milestone, celebrating Bulgaria’s entry as PRIMA’s 20th member country and setting the stage for a dynamic two days of knowledge-sharing and synergy building.
Day 1: Kickoff and foundations
The first day focused on laying out practical guidance for new projects. PRIMA team members covered critical topics on project implementation, guiding coordinators through financial reporting, legal requirements, and communication strategies. This kickoff session ensured that every project had the tools and clarity needed to advance their work, while new coordinators appreciated the chance to connect directly with the PRIMA team to address any open questions.
Evening Reception: NexusArt Exhibition
The evening of the 22nd october featured a cocktail reception at the Recinte Modernista Sant Pau, coinciding with the launch of the NexusArt Exhibition, an initiative by the PRIMA Nexus NESS project. The exhibition highlights interdisciplinary collaboration to tackle critical environmental challenges and promote water, energy, and food security. It was a great opportunity for coordinators to network while exploring the exhibition.
Day 2: Learning, Synergies, and Collaboration
The second day focused on project-to-project learning and practical collaboration. Antonella Autino, Project coordinator, launched the day, capturing the collaborative spirit of the day: “Collaboration isn’t just about working together; it’s about amplifying our visibility, elevating research, and creating ripple effects across the scientific and policy spectrum. By sharing knowledge, influencing policies, and sparking innovation, we extend the reach of every project and transform potential into tangible impact.”
Session 1: Peer learning and practical tools
To begin the day, the spotlight was on learning directly from experienced project representatives. SUREFISH’s coordinator and SUSTAINOLIVE’s communicator, Marco de La Feld and Alejandro Gallego, shared hands-on strategies for effective communication and result dissemination, offering clear guidance on project outreach. Their session highlighted ways to distinguish between communication, dissemination, and exploitation of results—a crucial focus in amplifying PRIMA’s impact.
Andrea Di Anselmo from META Group concluded the session with a great reminder, “No use of project results, no impact!”, delivering expert advice on maximizing project results, and explaining how to make the best use of the KERs, Key exploitable results.
Session 2: Engagement with the SAC
PRIMA’s Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) members took the stage in the following session to introduce themselves and outline their role in shaping PRIMA’s strategic direction. Acting as advisors on scientific priorities, SAC members engaged with project representatives on how to align research with real-world challenges and foster impact through policy and science.
Session 3: Project Pitch Challenge
One of the most engaging moments came during the pitch session, where project coordinators from 2023 presented their projects in two minutes. The session offered a rapid showcase of innovation within the PRIMA network, with Antonio Padovano (CERERE Project), Vincent Nicolas (3D-STELLAR), and Georgios Kleftodimos (DYONISUS) receiving the “best pitch Award” for their standout presentations. This session encapsulated PRIMA’s drive to bring forward new ideas and elevate the voices of its projects.
Session 4: Café Scientifique
The day ended with a Café Scientifique poster session, where 2022 projects presented their progress and findings to all the participants. The open format allowed participants to network, discuss potential partnerships, and brainstorm on future joint actions. The session underscored the purpose of PRIMA Project Day: to strengthen networks, encourage collaboration, and generate actionable ideas across projects.
Moving forward together
PRIMA Project Day 2024 reinforced PRIMA’s commitment to knowledge exchange, cross-disciplinary connections, and applied research for tangible results. As PRIMA expands, events like this continue to set the stage for impactful collaborations and sustained progress across its network.
All the pictures are available here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBPPs7
Photo: Isidre Garcia Punti, for the PRIMA Foundation
