From 21-22 October 2024, the kick-off meeting of the EU co-funded project Lasers4EU took place in Heraklion. Set on the beautiful island of Crete, the two-day event marked the launch of the initiative, bringing together all project partners from across Europe to outline the ambitious goals set for the next four years.
The meeting began with a warm welcome from Costas Fotakis, Distinguished Member of the Foundation Organization for Research and Technology (FORTH). Sylvie Jacquemot, the project’s scientific coordinator, followed with an in-depth overview of Lasers4EU’s objectives and formalities, setting the stage for the upcoming activities. The day also included the election of the project’s boards, and concluded with a visit to several cutting-edge laboratories at this meeting’s host IESL-FORTH, followed by a traditional Greek dinner that allowed participants to network in a more relaxed atmosphere.
On the second day, work package and task leaders presented their plans and activities, emphasising areas of collaboration needed between partners. Interactive Q&A sessions gave participants the opportunity to clarify details and ensure smooth coordination across the consortium. To close the meeting, all attendees had the opportunity to take part in a guided tour of the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, offering a deeper insight into Greece’s rich cultural heritage.
After this first fruitful meeting, the Lasers4EU project is now officially underway, with all partners looking forward to working together during the coming years.