- CommNet has started as an informal network of science communicators from EU-funded FP6 projects in food research and was created in 2005 through an initiative of the FP6 CASCADE Network of Excellence.
- Participants of CASCADE realised that efficient communication and dissemination of scientific results faces significant challenges and that joint communication activities between projects facing similar challenges would improve the communication of research results.
- The purpose of this network was initially to:
- learn from the experience obtained by all participating EU projects;
- develop a ‘think tank’ of best practice approach to efficient communication and dissemination;
- identify key areas where training is required to efficiently communicate and engage the public;
- offer internal training to key target groups including communication managers and researchers of FP6 projects.
- Initially, CommNet consisted in 10 EU-funded projects. Over time, CommNet has become a well-respected authority in EU projects communication and dissemination and has organised a number of successful meetings and workshops, including European Food Science Day (EFSD) and participation at EuroScience Open Forum (ESOF).
- Through cooperative working and cost sharing, the projects' investments required by networking, sharing information and developing competences have been considerably lower than the initial investment from individual projects.
This original network has formed the basis for CommNet as it is today.