Activities

Action Groups

The Action Groups are the working units of the European Polar Board. They are appointed by the plenary meeting with the aim of developing, implementing and/or managing strategic tasks. The Action Groups have a limited duration and may be comprised of EPB members and external experts. Currently, the EPB has appointed several Action Groups with tasks ranging from science foresight (e.g., EU funding strategies and HORIZON projects) to EPB organisation (Future of EPB), international relationships and agreements, as well as polar infrastructure assessment.

Scientific Initiatives

Since its establishment, the European Polar Board (EPB) has endorsed a wide range of scientific and strategic initiatives, many of which have successfully concluded and delivered significant results, adding clear value to European polar science. Notable examples include the EU-PolarNet 1 &2, INTERACT, EPICA (European Project on Ice Coring in Antarctica), APE (Airborne Polar Experiment), and EUROPOLAR (European Polar Consortium).

Building on this legacy, the EPB continues to support new initiatives, ranging from meetings and publications that contribute to science and technology foresight, to active participation in EU projects and calls. These efforts also extend to initiatives aimed at strengthening international cooperation, enhancing the visibility of polar science, and advancing outreach activities.

At present, through the Arctic PASSION EU-funded project, the EPB co-coordinates the EU Polar Cluster—a network of collaborative EU-funded polar projects and its permanent members—together with the British Antarctic Survey. From January 2026, the coordination of the EU Polar Cluster will be led solely by EPCO, with support from future EU Horizon projects. In addition, the EPB, via EPCO, coordinates the Polar Catalyst Platform, a key outcome of the EU PolarNet2 project, and its continuity will also be supported by future EU Horizon projects.

Communications

In line with its 2023–2027 Strategy, the European Polar Board (EPB) undertakes a range of communication activities designed to advance its Mission and realise its Vision for European polar research. These activities include convening and co-convening cross-disciplinary events in diverse settings, as well as hosting the EPB Webinar Series, which provides a platform for dialogue and knowledge exchange across the polar community.

The EPB has also launched the “Meet the EPB” campaign, introducing its Member Representatives and sharing their perspectives on the role of the EPB within the Arctic and Antarctic research communities. Through such initiatives, the EPB strengthens visibility, fosters engagement, and promotes the importance of European leadership in polar science.