As the European Young Chemists’ Network (EYCN) turns the page on another successful term, the Delegate Assembly in Prague marked both a moment of reflection and a fresh beginning. Outgoing Chair Claudia Bonfio offered a heartfelt farewell, sharing personal insights from her time leading the network.
“As my two-year term as Chair of the European Young Chemists’ Network (EYCN) comes to an end, I’ve been reflecting on what this experience has meant to me — and what I’ve learned. Remember: we’re all volunteers here. The time and energy each of us puts into EYCN varies, and that’s okay. The flexibility we have is both a gift and a challenge. But in the end, we’re a team. So my first reminder is simple: communicate. Share your needs, struggles, and ideas. None of us is doing this alone. EYCN is also part of a wider family — the EuChemS community. One of the things I’ve loved most is the freedom to shape projects and explore ideas. But that freedom comes with responsibilities. Learn about and respect the roles and structures within EYCN and EuChemS. This cohesive structure is what keeps us strong. It’s now time to “retire” for me. There’s (almost) no one left from when I joined EYCN six years ago. But that’s how it should be. I’ll stay on as Advisor to the new Board for two more years, but it’s time to make space for fresh ideas, new approaches, and the same shared goal: supporting young chemists across Europe. What I’m taking with me is the network — not just the organisation, but the people. EYCN has helped spark collaborations and careers. It’s so much more than a line on a CV. So talk to each other, get to know the person behind the delegate badge, and keep in touch.
I want to thank EuChemS — and Angela, Nineta, Floris, Hans Peter, Claudia, Marton, and Chiara — for your constant support. Thank you to the EYCN Executive Board and all Team Leaders. You made this term active, challenging, and full of growth. A special thanks to Max — your patience and generosity got me through this. And to Tomasz: you were exactly the Vice-Chair I hoped for — collaborator, challenger, supporter, and friend.
Finally, to all delegates — past, present, and future — thank you. You are the heart of EYCN. I can’t wait to see what you’ll build next.”
Following the elections, a new and highly motivated board has taken shape, composed of: Noah Al-Shamery (Chair), João António (Vice-Chair), Monja Schilling (Treasurer), Jelena Kesić (Membership Team Leader), Wiktoria Brytan (Communication Team Leader), Tatiana Sviriniuc (Global Connections Team Leader), Carla Casadevall Serrano (Networks Team Leader), and Konrad Barnowski (Science Team Leader). Claudia continues to serve as the advisor of the board. This team brings together a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and a shared passion for supporting young chemists across Europe.
In the coming term, the EYCN will focus on deepening its ties with the European Initiative for Industrial Leadership (EIIL), enhancing visibility through increased participation of observers, and continuing to professionalise the network’s operations. Central to this vision is a commitment to ensure equal representation, networking access, and recognition for all member societies – regardless of size or geography. By enabling collaboration, inclusivity, and transparent communication, the new board aims to build on the strong foundation left by previous teams and open new pathways for Europe’s young chemical scientists.
This text has been re-evaluated with the help of AI tools. However, any text generated by means of them has been verified by the authors themselves, to ensure integrity and correctness of the content.
