Representatives of ICRC attended the Alliance4Life conference in Ljubljana
From Monday, February 17, to Wednesday, February 19, mini-conferences and a community meeting of Alliance4Life took place at the University of Ljubljana. This innovative project aims to advance research and innovation in Central and Eastern Europe and bridge the gap between Eastern and Western EU countries. The project also includes the International Clinical Research Center (ICRC).
Alliance4Life is a consortium of progressive scientific institutions from Central and Eastern European countries. The European Union faces a significant challenge in global competitiveness, as disparities in research and innovation between Western and Eastern member states persist. Despite substantial investments from the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) and targeted “Widening” programs under Horizon 2020, Central and Eastern European countries continue to lag behind their Western counterparts.
Several factors contribute to this issue: an underdeveloped research and innovation ecosystem, inadequate national and institutional funding, brain drain to Western EU countries or overseas, limited interoperability, discontinuous collaboration between the public and private sectors, and insufficient integration into international networks. Addressing these challenges is the primary goal of the Alliance4Life consortium. Its mission is to drive strategic institutional changes, strengthen research capacities, foster innovation, and enhance collaboration among scientific institutions in the region.
Active Collaboration and Progress
Today, an active community of more than 120 scientists and specialists from various fields of research management is engaged in Alliance4Life. They participate in thematic working groups focused on areas such as technology transfer, research grants and funding, human resources, scientific evaluation, core facilities, data management, and science communication.
In March of last year, the institutions within Alliance4Life launched a four-year project, A4L_BRIDGE, aimed at fostering collaboration among partners and establishing effective relationships with the industrial sector.
“By connecting researchers and fostering innovation, we are building a strong and sustainable research community that will drive biomedical progress for years to come.”
Ester Jarour, Alliance4Life Coordinator
The meeting at the University of Ljubljana was a key milestone for Alliance4Life. It marked the official launch of the Virtual Research Center (VRC), which will provide members with access to joint projects, mentoring, exchange programs, conferences, and job opportunities.
The conference was structured into five scientific panels, where leading researchers presented their work. Representing ICRC, physician and scientist Martin Helán gave a presentation on new biomarkers of sepsis and their clinical applications.
Ester Jarour, author: Katja Kodba, Alliance4life.com
The meeting of all participants in the Alliance4Life project, held on February 18 and 19 at the same location, set the course for the next phase of the A4L_BRIDGE project. Leaders and experts from the individual institutions assessed the progress made so far, and the consortium leader, in her opening speech, compared the group to a ship embarking on a bold and not fully explored journey. “We have a clear roadmap—our project plan—guiding us toward new destinations. Some of us are navigating familiar waters, while others are venturing into uncharted territory. But the strength of this alliance lies in learning from one another, sharing expertise, and ensuring that no one sails alone,” said Ester Jarour, Alliance4Life Coordinator.
Excellent science is only possible when those who conduct it are satisfied.
The International Scientific Advisory Board (ISAB) helps evaluate institutions’ research performance. Some organizations in the alliance have already adopted this process and benefit from the results of independent third-party evaluations, while others are just beginning to understand its value and importance. Learning from the experiences of others can accelerate progress, but strong leadership and a solid organizational structure are not everything. An institution can only thrive if its people thrive.
At the conference in Ljubljana, FNUSA was represented in the working group focused on human resources management by Barbora Wahlová from the HR department. She presented her contribution on the European Commission’s initiatives in the area of the European Research Area (ERA) focused on human resources management – the HR Excellence in Research Process and the ERA Talent Platform. The audience appreciated the insights from the implementation of the HR strategy, which improves employee care at the scientific institution (HRS4R), particularly the tips for preparing for the renewal of the European quality certification for HR processes, the HR Excellence in Research Award.
Barbora Wahlová, author: Katja Kodba, Alliance4life.com
On the occasion of the meeting in the Slovenian capital, the new project website was also introduced to all alliance members. The more modern and user-friendly website was developed by a working group led by CEITEC MU. The new webpage represents progress not only in terms of visuals but also in its functionality and accessibility.
Provide better data accessibility, management, and sharing
Research and innovation are driven by data. However, access to data at institutions in Central and Eastern Europe remains fragmented and inconsistent, limiting the full potential of clinical research and technological advancement.
Michal Janota, author: Katja Kodba, Alliance4life.com
This issue is being addressed by a group led by Michal Janota from the International Clinical Research Center (ICRC). Through the Data Availability Map tool, they aim to improve the accessibility, management, and sharing of clinical data across institutions. The initiative’s goal is to identify gaps not only in data sharing but also in the legal and technical barriers that hinder progress.
Thanks to this initiative, institutions will be able to create stronger research consortia linking academia, industry, and commercial partners, as well as clear and transparent guidelines and standardized procedures for the ethical handling of data.
The program also included a meeting of the Alliance4Life Council, attended by directors, key representatives from all member institutions, and leaders of all Work Packages. The Council confirmed that the project is progressing according to plan and fully meets the requirements of the funding provider.
Group photo of all participants, author: Katja Kodba, Alliance4life.com
