The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the way researchers interact by introducing the new online environment. Consequently, conferences, meetings, etc., along with the entire teaching process have switched from the classical on-site/ physical situation, to the new online one. Now that the Covid-19 pandemic is ending, people’s reluctance towards mobility still remains. Additionally, researchers’ have realised the easiness of getting into contact with others using online solutions. The future will be characterized by a hybrid approach. Additionally, our Action is the largest one in terms of participant countries. Bringing together all researchers in one place would be very difficult in an on-site manner seems nowadays utopic. Consequently, the main goal of this strategy is to foster research cooperation for an efficient fulfilment of the CA19130 goals and objectives by using all the advantages provided by the online environment.

On one hand, the VNS will assist researchers to connect and work in the online environment. Each Working Group has its goals and objectives related to GP2. Using online tools will help reaching these without requiring too much mobility and expenses for researchers of the entire Action. This is a very important aspect especially when dealing with young researchers and less developed countries. It is very well-known that young researchers do not beneficiate from many funding sources, are unexperienced and, consequently, have lower probability to travel. The online environment will help them get into contact with more experienced researchers and facilitate retaining the young ones in the Action, on one hand, and in research processes, on the other. The same is also true for researchers coming from less developed countries, namely ITCs, but also NNCs or IPCs. This shows that the VNS will have a clear contribution not only to the research objectives of CA19130, but also to its Diversity strategy, contributing to the COST Excellence and Inclusiveness Policy.

One of the main purposes of this VNS is to support the hybrid format of all conferences and workshops to insure equal access probabilities to all CA19130 members, regardless of the country of origin, gender or research experience.