3rd ESFRI Stakeholder Forum Meetup

Kraków, Poland

10.06.2025 to 11.06.2025

The 3rd ESFRI Stakeholder Forum Meetup: Sustainability of the Research Infrastructure ecosystem, will take place from noon of 10 June to noon of 11 June 2025 in Kraków, Poland, during the Polish presidency of the Council. Conveniently timed to precede the 92nd ESFRI Forum Meeting, this event will bring together a diverse range of stakeholders, creating a unique opportunity for meaningful discussions and networking.

The 3rd ESFRI Stakeholder Forum Meetup, "Sustainability of the Research Infrastructure ecosystem", aims to discuss ideas and best practices regarding the enhancement of the quality and sustainability of Research Infrastructures, foster trust and cooperation among stakeholders, and promote integration within the R&I ecosystem, including building effective synergies with Technology Infrastructures.

The ESFRI Stakeholder Forum is a key platform to interact with European Research Infrastructure (RI) stakeholders, raise awareness across the R&I ecosystem, and facilitate cooperation and mutual learning. The Forum aims to attract a diverse range of stakeholders, seeking to look beyond traditional RI communities and foster new and improved services of RIs.

The Meetup of the Forum is a regular event that gathers diverse participants, including research infrastructures, policymakers, research organisations, and higher education institutions. The primary objective of the Meetup is to create a structured, constructive communication channel with a broad community of stakeholders, facilitating the exchange of ideas and expertise between research infrastructures and their stakeholders. The aim is to promote better integration of RIs with related communities, increase their visibility and relevance, and contribute to their long-term sustainability.

The first two ESFRI Stakeholder Forum Meetups, held in Brussels and Tenerife, brought together stakeholders to discuss key topics such as funding, access, and collaboration, highlighting the need for sustained two-way communication and identification of good practices. The previous meetups laid the groundwork for the 3rd ESFRI Stakeholder Forum Meetup, building on discussions to inform the path towards sustainable research infrastructures.

The event aims to discuss ideas and best practices for enhancing a range of sustainability aspects of the European research infrastructures ecosystem. Through a combination of panel discussions, networking opportunities and break-out sessions, the event seeks to foster trust and cooperation among stakeholders, discussing current topics of mutual interest.

The opening session will provide an overview of the programme for the two days and highlight the crucial topic of sustainability of the RI ecosystem, building on recent ESFRI work on this topic, notably its reports on Long-Term Sustainability of Research Infrastructures (2017) and on Funding of Research Infrastructures (2025).

The event will be structured around two main sessions:

Driving Innovation and Sustainability through RI-Industry collaboration
Synergies from different funding sources

For each session, panel discussions will be organised, as well as breakout sessions, discussing questions from the audience, but also a number of pre-defined themes and questions. At the end of each set of breakout sessions, a rapporteur from each session will summarise the findings to the plenary audience.

In addition to the core programme, a series of site visits and networking opportunities will complement the event experience. On 11 June, an open panel discussion on “The Role of Research Infrastructures for Technological Sovereignty of the European Union”- organised by the Polish Presidency, SOLARIS and LEAPS - will take place at the Auditorium Maximum of Jagiellonian University.

That afternoon, participants who have signed up will have the opportunity to join one of the following guided visits:

Czartoryski Museum (15:10 & 15:25) – including highlights from the renowned Czartoryski collection (details)
Jagiellonian University Museum (15:30) – including access to rarely seen historical scientific instruments (details)
Tour of Synchrotron SOLARIS (16:00-18:20) – with transportation provided to and from the site (details)

In parallel, a series of internal ESFRI meetings will be held at SOLARIS, including:

Roadmap 2026 Group meeting
Executive Board and Working Group Chairs joint session
Implementation Group meeting

Followed by an optional guided tour of SOLARIS for the meeting participants.

This is an invitation-only event. If you would like to be considered for an invitation, please send us an email at info@str-esfri.eu.

You may find out more information on the ESFRI Stakeholder Forum and the outcomes of the previous Meetups at the dedicated Stakeholder Forum page.

Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.

Open Discussion Satellite Panel

The Role of Research Infrastructures for Technological Sovereignty of the European Union

We invite you to join a dedicated open discussion panel on the evolving role of Research Infrastructures (RIs) in supporting the EU’s strategic autonomy and technological sovereignty. You can register here.

3rd ESFRI Stakeholder Forum Meetup Programme

10 June 2025 - Draft Programme | 3rd ESFRI Stakeholder Forum Meetup, Day 1 | Auditorium Maximum, Jagiellonian University

12:00	Lunch and registration
13:00	Opening Session Welcome addresses: José Luis Martínez Peña – ESFRI Chair Welcoming speech (5’) Prof. Wojciech Macyk - Deputy for Science, Jagiellonian University (confirmed) (5’) Mr Rafał Solecki – Kraków City Hall (confirmed) (5’) Undersecretary of State Maria Mrówczyńska - Ministry of Science and Higher education Poland (confirmed) (5’)
13:20	Sustainability context Elena Hoffert – Sustainability of the Research Infrastructures Ecosystem presentation (20’)
13:40	Session 1. Driving Innovation and Sustainability through RI-Industry collaboration Keynote Speaker Serge Fdida - Professor with Sorbonne Université, SLICES Coordinator (confirmed) (15’)
13:55	Introduction panel discussion
14:10	Panel discussion [Angles to be covered: joint RI technology development; industry as user of RI facilities and services (access); collaborations beyond the RI/scientific markets] Moderator: Michael Arentoft Panellists: Prof. Tadeusz Uhl - Director of the Space Technology Centre, AGH University, Kraków José Carlos Caldeira - Advisor to the Chairperson INESC TEC Dr. Michael Ryan - ESFRI representative, Head of International Division at Research Ireland Geraud L. Guilloud - RITIFI
14:55	Questions from the audience
15:10	Coffee break
15:40	Break-out sessions [Angles to be covered: joint RI technology development; industry as user of RI facilities and services (access); collaborations beyond the RI/scientific markets]
16:40	Second break
17:10	Feedback and conclusions from the break-out sessions
18:00	Dinner and end of Day 1

11 June 2025 - Draft Programme | 3rd ESFRI Stakeholder Forum Meetup, Day 2 | Auditorium Maximum, Jagiellonian University

09:00	Session 2. Synergies from different funding sources Keynote Speakers Allen Weeks (confirmed) (8’) Andrzej Domański – Minister of Finance of Poland (confirmed) (7’)
09:15	Panel discussions [Angles to be covered: exploiting synergies between institutional, regional, national, European (and global) RI funding streams; looking beyond traditional funding sources, and exploring new financing models; mobilisation, pooling and prioritisation of investments] Moderator: Antje Keppler (confirmed) Panellists: Professor Agnieszka Chłoń-Domińczak - PhD, Vice Rector for Research at SGH Warsaw School of Economics, Deputy Managing Director of SHARE-ERIC Jakub Szlachetko - CERIC ERIC, Director of SOLARIS Centre Tao-Tao Chang - CoSTAR. Director for Infrastructure and Major Programmes at the Arts and Humanities Research Council in UK Ms. Mary McKay - Director General, Science and Parliamentary Infrastructure Branch (Canada) Questions from the audience
10:00	Questions from the audience
10:15	Coffee break
10:45	Break-out sessions [Angles to be covered: exploiting synergies between institutional, regional, national, European (and global) RI funding streams; looking beyond traditional funding sources, and exploring new financing models; mobilisation, pooling and prioritisation of investments]
11:45	Second Break
12:15	Feedback from the break-out sessions
12:35	Closing Remarks Representative of the Marshall of the Malopolska Region (to be confirmed) ESFRI Chair
12:45	Main takeaway messages / Conclusions of the event
13:00	Lunch and end of the event
14:00	Open panel discussion organised by PL-Presidency/SOLARIS/LEAPS on The Role of Research Infrastructures for Technological Sovereignty of the European Union. Venue: Auditorium Maximum, Jagiellonian University Site visits for the signed up 15:10 & 15:25 @ Czartoryski Museum (https://mnk.pl/oddzial/mnk-muzeum-czartoryskich/zbiory/fotogalerie/kolekcja-ksiazat-czartoryskich (1.5 hrs tour) 15:30 - @ Jagiellonian University Museum (including the usually closed for public old research instruments exhibition) https://maius.uj.edu.pl/en_GB/wystawy/wystawy-stale (1.5 hrs tour)
16:00	Transfer to Synchrotron SOLARIS for the signed up and for the meetings participants https://synchrotron.uj.edu.pl/en_GB/centrum
16:00	Tour of SOLARIS Meetings @ SOLARIS Roadmap 2026 Group meeting, 30-40 min. Venue: SOLARIS EB+WG Chairs meeting, 1h; Venue: SOLARIS, same room as RM2026 meeting IG meeting, 1 to 1.5h; Venue: SOLARIS Optional Tour of SOLARIS for EB, WG Chairs, and IG members
18:20	Transfer to the dinner venue
19:00	ESFRI Forum dinner Venue: Hotel pod Wawelem/ Sky Bar & Restaurant https://www.hotelpodwawelem.pl/ , walking distance to Jagiellonian University

Thursday, 12 June | 92nd ESFRI Forum meeting

08:30	Venue: Collegium Novum, Jagiellonian University, https://konferencje.uj.edu.pl/en_GB/obiekty-konferencyjne/collegium-novum

Auditorium Maximum, Jagiellonian University Kraków, Poland

Getting from Kraków Airport to the City Centre

Participants arriving at John Paul II Kraków-Balice International Airport can reach the city centre by several convenient options:

Bus Line 300
- Departs from the airport and stops near the city centre.
- Tickets: 6 PLN (available from machines at the stop or on the bus, payable by cash or card).
- Transfer Time: Approx. 20 minutes.
Train to Kraków Główny (Main Station)
- Direct rail service from the airport to the central train station.
- Tickets: Approx. 20 PLN (can be purchased at the station or online).
- Transfer Time: Approx. 20 minutes.
Taxi or Ride-Hailing Services
- Options: Official airport taxis, Uber, Bolt.
- Estimated Fare: 50–120 PLN, depending on provider and traffic.

Kraków Center google map with the venues marked (red pin & yellow marks):

https://maps.app.goo.gl/FUkWrWgZKX3yFqxe7

Kraków guides:

https://www.krakow.pl/rozmaitosci/33321,artykul,english.html

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Articles-lp3RamWCjdHk-1_day_in_krakow_itinerary.html

Must see in Krakow!

You may find a comprehensive account of places and experiences in Krakow you shouldn't miss (as prepared by the local organising team) here.

Accommodation in Kraków

We kindly encourage all participants to arrange their accommodation in advance, as June is a particularly busy month for tourism in Kraków. To assist with your planning, a list of recommended hotels is available at the following link here.

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