The final event of TETTRIs (Transforming European Taxonomy through Training, Research, and Innovation) will take place in Brussels from 27 to 29 April 2026, marking the conclusion of this Horizon Europe-funded project.

Over three days, the event will bring together researchers, policymakers, and key stakeholders from across Europe to present the project’s main achievements and explore the future role of taxonomy in addressing biodiversity and societal challenges.

A three-day programme bridging science, innovation and policy

Day 1 – Scientific advances and innovation in taxonomy

The opening day will focus on the scientific and technical achievements of the project. Following an introduction and presentation of the TETTRIs Blueprint for building taxonomic capacity, sessions will explore how taxonomy is being transformed through innovation.

Highlights include a panel on AI-based tools for taxonomy, addressing how emerging technologies such as image and sound recognition are reshaping biodiversity research and citizen science, and what future developments can be expected in this rapidly evolving field.

Additional sessions will present advances in reference collections, the application of genomic tools in taxonomy, and the development of digital infrastructures such as the Taxonomic Resolution Engine and the TETTRIs e-services Marketplace, demonstrating how data integration and interoperability are strengthening European taxonomic research.

Find here more info about the first day agenda and the panelist.

Day 2 – From capacity building to policy dialogue

The second day will begin with sessions dedicated to training and capacity building, highlighting initiatives aimed at empowering the next generation of taxonomists and addressing existing gaps in expertise.

In the afternoon, the programme will shift towards policy engagement through two high-level strategic panels.

• The first panel, “Taxonomy meets One Health”, will explore the role of taxonomy in understanding the connections between ecosystem health, human wellbeing, and disease prevention, bringing together experts from research, policy, and international organisations to identify opportunities for cross-sector collaboration .

• The second panel, “Taxonomy meets Sustainable Growth”, will focus on the links between biodiversity and the private sector, including finance and industry. Discussions will examine how taxonomic knowledge can support sustainable economic models, natural capital accounting, and evidence-based decision-making in environmental policy and business strategies.

Find here more info about the second day agenda and the panelist.

Day 3 – Expanding impact and looking ahead

The final day will highlight the broader impact of the TETTRIs ecosystem, with a dedicated session on the project’s satellite initiatives. This panel will showcase success stories from cascade-funded projects, illustrating how targeted actions contribute to advancing taxonomy, improving species identification, and strengthening biodiversity data systems across Europe.

The event will conclude with presentations on policy briefs, future consolidation pathways, and final reflections, setting the stage for continued collaboration and the legacy of TETTRIs within upcoming initiatives.

Find here more info about the third day agenda and the panelist.

Why this event matters

Taxonomy underpins our understanding of biodiversity and is essential for effective conservation, environmental monitoring, and sustainable development. Through its work, TETTRIs has contributed to strengthening taxonomic capacity in Europe by combining research, innovation, training, and policy engagement.

As the project reaches its conclusion, the final event will:

• Showcase key scientific and technological achievements.
• Highlight the societal and policy relevance of taxonomy.
• Foster dialogue between science and policy communities.
• Lay the groundwork for future European initiatives in biodiversity research.

About the event

The event is organised by CETAF and the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS), co-coordinators of the TETTRIs project, in collaboration with the full consortium. It will gather representatives from European institutions, research infrastructures, satellite projects, and the wider biodiversity and policy community.

More information, including the full programme and detailed speaker profiles, is available here.