The 30th of May 2025 began with the 5th Management Committee Meeting of the COST Action IMPROVE network, chaired by Winfried Neuhaus. This key session brought together representatives from participating countries to review the progress of the Action, evaluate ongoing activities, and align on strategic goals for the next phase of implementation.

A major highlight of the meeting was the presence of Dr. Elif Doğan-Arslan, Science Officer at the COST Association, who delivered an insightful presentation on the latest developments in COST funding mechanisms, tools, and support schemes. Dr. Doğan-Arslan also shared updates on the current status of the IMPROVE network, highlighting key milestones achieved since its launch and offering recommendations for enhancing effectiveness in upcoming activities.

The afternoon was dedicated to the Working Group on Dissemination, led by the host Dr. Maria Kitsara.  The meeting served as a pivotal moment for the network’s outreach and communication strategy, beginning with a comprehensive report on the group’s recent activities and achievements.

A key focus of the session was the development of the upcoming dissemination plan, aimed at broadening the visibility of 3Rs principles across the biomedical research community, policy stakeholders, and the public. Participants engaged in in-depth discussions on existing and emerging communication channels, including social media strategies. The session stood out for its highly interactive and collaborative atmosphere, encouraging active participation from both in-person and remote attendees. A dynamic brainstorming segment sparked numerous innovative ideas, particularly around making science communication more inclusive, engaging, and accessible. Emphasis was placed on tailoring content for diverse audiences, using visual storytelling and leveraging short-form videos. This forward-thinking dialogue set a strong foundation for WG3’s continued efforts to amplify the message of the 3Rs and ensure its principles are communicated effectively and widely across Europe and beyond.

Next to the hybrid Management committee meeting, it was worked on several objectives, but also new topic of the working groups 1 and 2 such as the involvement of animal caretakers in the research process or a NAM expert data base.

Group photo at the end of the WG meetings