European Polar Coordination Office Action Group
Action Group members: N Biebow (Chair), C Barbante, S Carniel, M Grigoratou (Executive Secretary), MN Houssais, P Kapler, Nalân Koç, K Larson, D Mateev, A Quesada del Corral, D Nývlt, M A Ojeda, K Owen (EPB & EPCO officer), G Panieri, P Sköld, V Willmott Puig
The European Polar Coordination Office (EPCO) Action Group was established at the EPB 2024 Autumn Plenary. Its aim is to provide advice and guidance to the EPCO Officer and the EPB Executive Secretary during the establishment phase of EPCO.
EPCO is an outcome of the EU PolarNet projects, the largest EU-funded initiatives for polar research coordination. Since its launch in January 2025, EPCO act as a central contact point for the European polar research community, policymakers, and decision-makers, including the European Commission. Building on the achievements of EU PolarNet, EPCO continues to coordinate two key platforms the EU Polar Cluster and the Catalyst Platform, that foster collaboration, communication, and synergy across the European polar research community and actors. As a dynamic hub, EPCO connects researchers and policymakers, promotes knowledge exchange, and engages wider society through outreach activities, ensuring that European polar science informs policy and delivers impact at multiple levels.
By drawing on the expertise of EPB Members, many of whom served as Leads in the EU PolarNet projects, including the Chair of the Action Group who was Coordinator of EU PolarNet-2, the Action Group supports EPCO in shaping its structure, priorities, and activities to best serve the European polar research community and its stakeholders.