12 - 13 June 2024 - Tallinn: 39 participants

Represented countries: 28

> of which:

• members states: 16
• associated countries: 8
• third countries: 4

Represented widening countries: 9

• The same country may fall into more than one category. Some of the countries are EU members and at the same time are expanding (widening) countries.

12 - 13 June 2024 - Sofia: 28/2

> of which*:

• previously participated in N4S or other network meeting: 92.86%
• first time participants in a network meeting: 7,14%

* Based on evaluation survey (n=28)

Have you participated in any of the previous network meetings held in Malta, Athens and Tallinn?

92.9% | Yes
62.1% | No

How satisfied were you with the following sections of the agenda:

• Network activity update

89,3% | Very satisfied

10,7% | Somewhat satisfied

• Hands-on training

78,6% | Very satisfied

17.9% | Somewhat satisfied

3.6% | Not satisfied

• Informal networking opportunities/group discussions

85,7% | Very satisfied

10,7% | Somewhat satisfied

3.6% | Not satisfied

• How to advise on a proposal with lump sum funding

75% | Very satisfied

25% | Somewhat satisfied

How relevant (think also interesting, practical...) were the site visits for you:

• Site visit to the National Museum of History

64,3% | Very relevant

25% | Relevant enough

7,1% | Not sure

3,6% | Not very relevant

• Site visit to the National Library “St. St. Cyril and Methodius”

71,4% | Very relevant

21,4% | Relevant enough

3,6% | Not sure

3,6% | Not very relevant

• Site visit to the National Gallery Kvadrat 500

75% | Very relevant

17,8% | Relevant enough

3,6% | Not sure

3,6% | Not very relevant

• Site visit to the archaeological level of St Sophia cathedral (optional)

57,4% | Very relevant

25% | Relevant enough

7,1% | Not sure

10,5% | Not very relevant

How satisfied were you with: the meeting's agenda

89.3% | Very satisfied

7.1% | Somewhat satisfied

3.6% | Not satisfied

How satisfied were you with: the networking opportunities during the event

82.1% | Very satisfied

17,9% | Somewhat satisfied

How satisfied were you with: the meeting overall

89.3% | Very satisfied

10.7% | Somewhat satisfied

Do you have any comments or suggestions that you would like to share with the organiser on how to improve the training?

More of this kind of trainings.

The Training was good. However, the presentation from the commission good have been shorter.
Agnes's session did not gave any new information... but the rest was greatThe example was a bit too technical.

Everything was perfect

Choosing of the topic of the training

It might be worth considering to allow an entire day for the training portion of the meeting. This is, however, dependent on the topic and if it would require that long.

This training was challenging (the topic etc.)

Any similar exercies would be very useful and very much welcomed in the future as well!

A flowchart/timetable of the project seemed to be missing, so it was hard to get a overview of the timing and connection of the Work packages

Training was excellent

You did a great job!

It was spot on

Positive feedback:

• Participants found the training excellent, well-structured, and highly relevant.

• The topics were challenging but appreciated, and practical exercises were described as very useful and welcome in the future.

• Several respondents praised the organisers, noting they did a great job and the training was “spot on.”

Suggestions for improvement:

• A desire for more trainings of this kind in the future.

• Suggestion to dedicate a full day to the training portion if the topic requires more time.

• A few critical points included:

  • The presentation from the Commission could have been shorter.

  • One example was too technical.

  • One participant felt that Agnes’s session did not add new information.

  • There was a lack of a flowchart or timeline to better understand the project structure and work packages.

Do you have any comments or suggestions that you would like to share?

Very happy with the site visits. Would be good if we had more networking opportunities, the program is very intense and less time to network.

Great event overall, however the program was a bit too packed — more free time to explore the city would’ve been nice. The meeting room wasn’t ideal, with poor sound and a screen that was hard to see from the back.

Many thanks to the German team for the exemplary organization of the meeting. The exercise on the first day with a real proposal was really good and insightful for me. Honestly, the session with Agnes from the European Commission was not too innovative, I did not get any new information. Apart from that - it was very interesting, insightful and always fun to see the representatives from all the countries!

Outstanding organization

Very well organised and excellent hosted!
Thanks a lot for the meeting. Everything was organised on very high level.

This may be the best network meeting I have attended. The organization was outstanding and the consideration given to all aspects, no matter how small, really made a positive difference. I learned a lot about Bulgaria and what it has to offer, both in terms of research and culture. I am now a fan. Thank you for a great event!!

Thank you again to the organizers!

Thank you for the excellent organization of this meeting!

Plant-based options at lunch where kinda meh, but I was grateful that you managed to accommodate dietary restrictions. Thanks for a wonderful networking event!

Thanks to organizers !

Everything was perfect.

Thank you so much for such an amazing network meeting ❤️

Best network meetings 🙂

Positive feedback:

• The event was widely praised for its excellent organization, with multiple respondents calling it the best networking meeting they’ve attended.

• Participants appreciated:

  • The attention to detail in planning.

  • The opportunity to learn about Bulgaria’s culture and research landscape.

  • The friendly and diverse international environment.

• The training session with a real proposal was highlighted as particularly valuable.

• The organizers and hosts received consistent praise for their work and hospitality.

• Gratitude was expressed for accommodating dietary restrictions.

Suggestions & constructive feedback:

• The program was seen as too packed, leaving limited time for networking or city exploration.

• The meeting room setup was suboptimal for some: poor acoustics and visibility from the back.

• The session with Agnes from the European Commission was again noted as not providing new insights.

• One comment mentioned that plant-based lunch options could be improved.

Evaluation survey (n=71,79% of all participants)

• NEW NCPs are those who are attending a network event for the first time ever
• EXPERIENCED NCPs are those who have attended network events previously (N4S or other networks)