From 21–23 April 2026, researchers and academic partners of the ECIU SEED 1 NETSCO – Network for Sustainable Consumption Research project gathered at University of Aveiro for a three-day meeting dedicated to collaboration, knowledge exchange, and future project development.

The event brought together colleagues from KTU School of Economics and Business, Linköping University, and the DigiMedia research unit at the University of Aveiro. Participants included Pedro Beça, Mónica Aresta, Sofia Ribeiro, and Gonçalo Gomes from DigiMedia; Lars Witell, Mikael Ottosson, Hugo Guyader, and Jasenko Arsenovic from Linköping University; and Jūratė Banytė, Aistė Dovalienė, Asta Švarcaitė, and Greta Dargytė from KTU School of Economics and Business.

Throughout the meeting, partners engaged in open discussions, workshops, and networking activities focused on developing joint project proposals and expanding cooperation in several key areas, including sustainable consumption research, experiential and game-based learning, science communication, and university–industry collaboration. The exchanges highlighted the importance of combining diverse disciplinary perspectives to address contemporary sustainability challenges.

One of the highlights of the programme was the field activity organised with Associação BioLiving at Quinta Ecológica da Moita. The experience reinforced the value of experiential learning and demonstrated how hands-on activities can foster deeper engagement with sustainability topics.

The third day of the meeting also featured a series of keynote talks and project presentations centred on sustainability, communication, and creative engagement. Sessions included a presentation on science communication by Beatriz Vieite; the project MOVES-IT: Moving On Valorization and Engagement towards Sustainability through IntelligenceTools; and Let the Microorganisms Speak: Integrating Scientific Illustration and Impact Assessment in Microbiology Communication.

Beyond the academic agenda, the gathering strengthened personal and institutional connections among the partners. Despite coming from different research traditions and backgrounds, participants shared a common motivation: to connect knowledge, learn from one another, and create meaningful and impactful collaborations for the future.