Unlike traditional sessions, the Hub’s informal layout encouraged open dialogue. Voices often unheard elsewhere were welcomed to take the microphone and speak up, encouraging spontaneous discussions that sparked collaboration and innovation. This distinctive approach bridged the technical and the human, making the Community Hub an essential gathering point for those seeking true connection at TNC, and to learn more about community-led initiatives.
Support for URAN
One of the most powerful moments at the Community Hub came during the session “Stronger Together: NRENs in a Changing World.” For the first time since the war in Ukraine began, URAN, the Ukrainian Research and Academic Network, was present in person at TNC.
Tetiana Preobrazhenska, Marketing Specialist for URAN, shared her moving story of resilience, community support, and solidarity. Her testimony resonated deeply, as she described the challenges of sustaining URAN during the war, which is made possible through the unwavering support of the GÉANT community.
Reflecting on the experience, Tetiana expressed her gratitude:
“My session at the Community Hub was a deeply moving experience for me. The audience responded with warmth and genuine support when I spoke about the challenges URAN has faced during the war and the solidarity we received. That sense of humanity and care was very present in the room. The proposal to create a Humanitarian Support Group within the GÉANT Community Programme was welcomed with real interest, and the conversation goes on. We are now moving toward concrete steps to make this idea a reality.”
Her message not only highlighted the extraordinary resilience of URAN, but also inspired a vision of continued humanitarian support for other at-risk NRENs and research and education communities.
The Innovation Programme Spotlight session
One of the most populated sessions at the Community Hub, with over 70 attendees, featured presentations from the six GÉANT Innovation Programme projects awarded in 2024. The session gave speakers a platform to showcase their achievements which initiated a dynamic panel discussion leading to insightful conversations afterwards. Discussions included how we can enhance innovation within our community and encourage the collaboration of other initiatives. The room buzzed with enthusiastic questions and a clear passion for driving innovation.
Looking ahead to TNC26
The feedback from TNC25 highlighted the preference towards an interactive format that invites every voice into the conversation. A big thank you to those of you who presented and hosted a session at the Community Hub in Brighton this year, it was a great community collaborative effort.
Nadelina Sandu, Community Hub coordinator for TNC25, reflects on the success of the Community Hub.
“It’s been wonderful to see the Community Hub become an integral part of TNC. It’s truly a space shaped by and for the community. It’s a place for knowledge sharing, intentional networking, and the kind of informal exchange that was much needed. We’re excited to continue improving it and seeing how it will further evolve, but I’m sure it will continue to bring value to the community through its open, flexible nature and the mix of technical insights and engaging discussions it fosters.”
Next year we would love to continue to see interactive and discussion-based sessions at the Community Hub. For those of you who are interested in submitting a proposal for the TNC26 Community Hub, ensure to regularly check the tnc26.geant.org website to see updates on when the submissions open.
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