It is clear now that the Covid-19 pandemic has brought significant changes in the way people meet. This is also valid for the Research and development sector, Academia included. We have been forced to get used to online meeting tools. But, at the same time, it has significantly increased cooperation among researchers. Nowadays, it is very easy for researchers around the Globe to meet and work together, in the online environment. For CA19130 FinAI the online environment and hybrid events/ activities are of most importance, as we are now probably the largest Cost Action in terms of both countries and number of members, continuously growing. This means that gathering all researchers/ members in one place in a physical manner, would be a utopia. With the help of hybrid events and online meetings we have succeeded in the past GPs to fulfil some of the goals and address some of the objectives that we set in the MoU. Thus, the online environment has proved to be extremely beneficial to the entire Action.
Online meetings have allowed the Action members to know each other and start working together from different places of the World, from India to Europe or the USA. The online environment has allowed members of the Action to work together in writing applications for different sources of funding. Still, some reluctancy coming from some members is still visible. The main goal of this VNS application is to continue supporting the Action and its members in dealing with the goals, objectives and deliverables of the Action in an online environment. First of all, all Action’s events will be hybrid, to allow for all members and non-members from different parts of the world to participate and get involved. The online environment is cheap and flexible. Thus, young researchers have the opportunity to meet and work with senior researchers. Researchers of all seniorities and from all parts of the world (members, NNcs, IPCs, ITCs, etc.) may also meet stakeholders and regulators and start partnerships.