EuroFIR’s sustainability plans are well advanced; this work is being done by a Sustainability Task Force. An overall framework for sustainability (see picture below) has been developed by this group; the framework was presented at the workshop of another EU project, CASCADE, held in Brussels in November 2006. This workshop discussed sustainability for all current networks of excellence in the EU FP6 Food Quality and Safety programme.

There is a recognition that networks of excellence vary greatly in nature in terms of research topic or activity.  In some networks of excellence the emphasis is on networking individuals, whereas in others the networking is at an institutional level.  It is generally recognised that there is a need to accommodate the diverse reality (in terms of domain, structure, participants) of the networks of excellence and their perspectives.  Future discussion is needed to better identify viable strategies for measuring integration among European scientists, suitable legal instruments to support networks of excellence activities and suitable strategies to involve different stakeholders.