COST Action Measuring Homelessness in Europe Prof. dr. Koen Hermans

Why COST ? Goals : No research, but in practice? Building or strengthening research network Capacity building Developing new research ideas / projects / … No research, but in practice? Short-time scientific missions and training schools as research tools Not only scientific impact, also societal impact Check host institution rules concerning budget

Developing the project Memorandum of understanding: many successful actions online Building a first network of proposers / countries Proposing team : leaders of the working groups Pay attention to “Inclusiveness Target Countries”

The proposal: the MoU Most difficult issue: not clear who and how many will participate ‘Open’ vs ‘focused’ project planning Role of training networks and STSM Working groups STSM-strategy Communication strategy My proposal has three main parts : State of the art New developments / innovations / case studies Integrating the new insights  book publication

After the approval 6 months between approval and start of the project Cost networks are open networks Local Cost Offices decide (based on expertise?) Informal contacts with proposer First meeting in Brussels: Not the final composition of the network Election of MC Chair, Budget Holder and WG-leaders Budget Holder and MC Chair of same institution First half year plan

Recommendations Strong network of proposers with a division of tasks WG leaders + Chair = leading group Experience with COST is helpful Pay enough attention to informal contacts STSM and training schools as drivers of research