On Tuesday, 17^th September, the SCAR-Engage Programme  celebrated a significant milestone with its first Launch Meeting, welcoming new SCAR Working Group members from Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Iceland, and Poland.

The event opened with a warm introduction by John Bell, Director of Healthy Planet at the European Commission's DG Research & Innovation. Attendees also received an insightful overview of the RefreSCAR project from its coordinator, Órlaith Ní Choncubhair.

Experienced SCAR WG members, Prof. Vladislav Popov and Stefano Grando, shared their insights on importance and the value of active SCAR membership. The Programme leaders, Olivera Stojilović Trivunić, M.Sc., and Marina Arnaut Stefanović, detailed the programme’s key elements, including support, commitment expectations, and facilitated interactive discussions. Financial support mechanisms were also explained by Leo J. Guilfoyle.

The SCAR-Engage Programme, a RefreSCAR initiative, is designed to support and empower new SCAR WG members while increasing country-level visibility within SCAR. Aimed at enhancing inclusiveness, it focuses on providing knowledge, support, and connections, especially for members from underrepresented countries. Each year, new WG members will receive tailored assistance, including peer guidance, networking opportunities, country-specific action plans, and financial support for attending SCAR meetings.

 The 1^st SCAR-Engage Launch Meeting marks the start of a series designed to promote networking, knowledge exchange, and the creation of country-level action plans for active SCAR participation.

The Call for Expressions of Interest for the second year of the Programme will be launched this fall. Follow the SCAR website and RefreSCAR social media channels to stay up to the latest Programme advancements.