On March 4 we celebrated the tenth anniversary of the EaPConnect Project in Poznan, Poland hosted by PSNC, the Polish National Research and Education Network. It was a one-day hybrid event that brought together the EaPConnect project team and representatives from the NREN partner organisations.
The event, titled “EaP NRENs – Towards New Frontiers”, reflected on the project’s ten-year journey, highlighting how its activities and achievements have laid a strong foundation for the future. Reflecting on EaPConnect’s milestones allowed to recognise the contributions of Eastern Partnership NRENs, project partners, and GÉANT in transforming the EaP region’s digital infrastructure and ecosystem. The event also provided an opportunity to focus on the significance of the project’s success in enabling the EaP NRENs to maintain forward momentum and address challenges ahead.
As we look ahead to the project’s conclusion in June 2025, this is a perfect moment to reflect on its outcomes and impact on NRENs, research, education, and society at large. Many of the challenges facing the world today require global cooperation. Like many countries, the EaP region, is also confronted with the security of digital information, the provision of high-quality healthcare, and the preservation of cultural heritage. This is why collaboration within the EaPConnect project is so vital, as it aims to connect the EaP research communities with their European and international counterparts, through the digital infrastructure.
Throughout the event, each speaker shared their reflections and experiences, discussing the project’s tangible milestones and the significant improvements it has brought. Apart from technological advancements all participants agreed that the true success of the EaPConnect project lies in lasting relationships built through collaboration and shared goals.
The project didn’t just bridge the digital divide; it united countries and people. No longer isolated by geography or technological barriers, the EaP NRENs have become part of a global network working toward a common goal: connecting their countries, educators, researchers, and communities. This legacy will continue to shape the future of the digital and research infrastructure in the EaP countries for years to come.
For a deeper understanding of the project’s remarkable journey and impact, watch our short animation video created to highlight the past 10 years of EaPConnect.
