The NREN community took a significant step forward in its strategic advocacy efforts this January, when 42 participants gathered in Berlin to launch a new era of Public Affairs collaboration.
Hosted by DFN at its Berlin offices on 27–28 January 2026, the Public Affairs for NRENs Workshop was a joint initiative of the GÉANT GN5-2 ‘Policy Engagement’ task and the newly established Special Interest Group on Public Affairs and Policy (SIG-PA). The event brought together experts and Public Affairs practitioners both on-site and online to share strategies for navigating an increasingly complex digital policy environment.
Expert insights and global trends
The workshop opened with a thought-provoking keynote by Mechthild Bülow, a seasoned strategic communications consultant and founder of Mechthild Bülow Public Affairs & Kommunikation.
In her talk, “Public Affairs and Communications in the Digital Age – How to Shape Future Politics,” she explored the transformative role of social media in modern advocacy. Her insights into how digital platforms, especially social media, are shifting the political landscape provided a fitting catalyst for the interactive sessions that followed.
A diverse programme
The two half-day sessions were packed with practical knowledge-sharing and collaborative exercises:
- Public Affairs 101: An exploration of some core pillars of lobbying, different approaches towards becoming a “policy-shaping” organisation, reputation management, and the relationship between strategic communication and policy work.
- National Case Studies: Colleagues from Jisc, NORDUnet, ASNET-AM, and CSC presented their perspectives on public affairs, illustrating how different national contexts shape stakeholder engagement.
- Interactive Scenarios: Moving beyond theory, participants tackled two fictional “Crisis vs Opportunity” challenges. The “Budget Axe” scenario tested political crisis management, while “Quantum Leap” focused on proactive advocacy and media campaigning. The ask for both scenarios was simple – your NREN wants to achieve something, how can public affairs and stakeholder management help get you there?
- Aligning with Europe: Deep dives into the EU Digital Agenda, Work Programmes (HE, CEF, DEP), and the “Competitiveness Compass” ensured the community remains aligned with Brussels’ strategic direction.
The meeting created space for open conversations and the sharing of practical experiences among NREN public affairs professionals. One recurring question kept coming up in many conversations: “How does it work in your organisation? How do you allocate tasks in your team? How do you cooperate with the management and national authorities?” The willingness to exchange ideas and compare different models of cooperation made the event especially engaging and insightful for all participants.
A formal milestone for SIG-PA
The workshop culminated in the first official meeting of the SIG-PA. We are proud to announce that the Terms of Reference (ToR) and Roadmap have been formally approved, providing a clear path for the group’s future activities. Going forward, the SIG-PA will build on the experiences of the workshop and provide a platform where public affairs professionals across NRENs come together to exchange knowledge and best practices.
The leadership team for this new chapter was also confirmed: Léonie Schäfer (DFN) and Agnieszka Stoklosa (PCSS) will serve as Joint Strategic Chairs & Coordinators. They are supported by a dedicated Steering Committee of experts from across the GÉANT community.
Get involved
The journey is just beginning. We invite all members of the GÉANT community interested and active in policy and advocacy to join the conversation. You can find our Roadmap, meeting minutes, and more information on our official Wiki page.
A huge thank you to all participants and contributors who made this inaugural event such a resounding success. We look forward to seeing the impact of this new community in the months to come.
