CAMINUP kicks off in Bucharest
On 22–23 June, the CAMINUP consortium gathered in Bucharest for its international kick-off meeting.
We were warmly welcomed by the team at the Department of Sociology of the University of Bucharest, led by Professor Raluca Popescu. Over two intensive and inspiring days, researchers and partners came together to discuss the project's objectives, refine research plans, and strengthen the foundations for collaboration in the years ahead.
The meeting brought together representatives from all academic partners: Plovdiv University, Sofia University, the University of Bucharest, the University of Oxford, and Ghent University. Through a series of brainstorming sessions and working meetings, the consortium explored key conceptual and methodological questions that will guide the project's next stages.
An important part of the programme was dedicated to exchanges with local stakeholder organisations. We had the opportunity to meet representatives from Bucharest City Hall and the NGO AMAIS, an organisation committed to increasing empathy and awareness towards vulnerable groups. These conversations provided valuable insights into local realities and highlighted the importance of collaboration between researchers, decision-makers, and civil society organisations.
With many new ideas, strengthened partnerships, and a renewed sense of purpose, we leave Bucharest with full heads and full hearts, ready to move forward with data collection across all four case study localities.
DUT kick-off event for funded projects
In May 2026, our team is attending the kick-off event organised by the DUT partnerships for projects funded in the 2024 round. Stay tuned for further updates.
Ghent kick-off event held
In April 2026, the Ghent team introduced the project to local partners (ZoJong! vzw, Stad Gent, Lejo vzw) as part of a collaborative workshop, refining methods and receiving feedback on the project aims and approach. The team also introduced the CAMINUP project as part of the inaugural BeNeLux geography conference.
First international advisory group meeting held
In March 2026, the CAMINUP consortium held the first meeting of the project's international Advisory Group. The members of the group are:
Svetlana Atanasova, Eurocarers
Liviu Chelcea, Bucharest University, Romania
Tanja Joelsson, Stockholm University, Sweden
Lena van Bergen, Ghent University, Belgium
Magdalena Zdrodowska, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
We are grateful for their generous engagement with the project and the diverse expertise they contribute to it.
