One important COST inclusiveness objective is the participation of Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITCs) and Near Neighbour Countries (NNCs) in COST Actions. Currently 36 countries joint this COST Action (33 MC Members and 3 MC Observers; cf. participating countries map). Inclusive Target Countries in this group are Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Croatia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Turkey and Near Neighbour Countries are Belarus, Russia and Ukraine. Participants of these countries have key leadership positions in Working Groups, the Dissemination Board and as STSM Manager. We would like to encourage especially scientists with an adequate background from missing ITCs (Hungary, Moldova, Montenegro and Serbia) to join this Action!
The Action Participants bridge separate scientific fields such as architecture, law, sociology, economics, environmental engineering, urban studies, planning and land management to achieve the required breakthrough. Furthermore, 28 Early Career Investigators are involved in the network of more than 80 scientists holding leadership positions in Working Groups, the Dissemination Board and as STSM Manager. This Action has a very good gender balance (currently 46 male and 40 female participants).
The involvement of political and administrative stakeholders and further NGOs is highly important. The Action already invited several members of these stakeholders to participate and contribute to this Action. Furthermore, we identified stakeholders to be informed in several countries. It is important to note that numerous Action members realise activities outside of their university with impact on stakeholders. For example are experts included in the development of new legal regulations and some experts have a more or less formal connection to administrative and political entities (consulter, part-time employment). However, further stakeholders are welcome to join this Action!