Skopje Meeting

The meeting held in Skopje, North Macedonia, on 26-27 April 2023, was a pivotal gathering for the a-STEP Action, bringing together the Management Committee (MC) and Working Groups (WG) for an intensive two-day session. This meeting was designed to foster collaboration, enhance interdisciplinary exchange, and push forward the progress on key deliverables. Participants engaged in in-depth discussions and workshops, and had the opportunity to gain valuable insights from keynote speakers and local experts.

**Description:**

The meeting provided each Working Group the space to advance their deliverables while fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration through joint sessions. The event featured a workshop that was highly relevant to the Action’s current deliverables and invited keynote speakers who shared their expertise on key themes aligned with the Action’s goals. Additionally, the Management Committee convened to review the overall progress of the Action and plan the next steps.

The local context of North Macedonia added another layer of relevance, with participants gaining a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by a medium-income country. A field trip organized by the local host further enriched the experience by providing practical insights into local organizations aligned with the Action’s objectives.

**Outputs:**

– **Progress on Deliverables**: Each Working Group made significant strides in advancing their tasks, reporting back to the entire group to ensure coordinated progress.
– **New Knowledge**: Workshops and keynote sessions provided valuable new knowledge to the participants, which will support the ongoing work of the Action.
– **Interdisciplinary Collaboration**: Joint meetings between related Working Groups promoted cross-disciplinary interactions and problem-solving.
– **Understanding Challenges in Medium-Income Countries**: The field trip and discussions offered participants a real-world perspective on the local challenges, broadening their understanding of the context in which the Action operates.
– **Enhanced Networking**: Stronger networking opportunities emerged, both within the Action and with external stakeholders.

**Sessions Overview:**

– **26 April 2023, 09:00 – 12:00**: **Working Group Meeting**
Working Groups convened to focus on their specific deliverables, review progress, and identify areas requiring further attention.

– **26 April 2023, 13:00 – 17:00**: **Workshops/Conferences**
This session included workshops and keynote presentations that offered new perspectives on current deliverables and promoted knowledge exchange among participants.

– **27 April 2023, 09:00 – 12:00**: **Working Group Meeting**
Continued WG discussions from the previous day, with time dedicated to joint sessions between groups with related deliverables.

– **27 April 2023, 13:00 – 17:00**: **Management Committee Meeting**
The Management Committee gathered to review progress, address administrative matters, and plan the future activities of the a-STEP Action.

This meeting in Skopje was highly successful in advancing the objectives of the a-STEP Action, ensuring that all working groups and the MC made significant progress toward their goals while benefiting from shared knowledge and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Agenda:

a-STEP Agenda Skopje Macedonia.docx