In early June 2025, the CANDY consortium met for its final General Assembly. From 3–6 June, partners from across Europe met in Castelldefels, a seaside town just south of Barcelona. With its calm beaches and Mediterranean atmosphere, the location offered the perfect setting to reflect on the journey so far and to look ahead at what lies beyond the project’s conclusion.
As a pre-event, again we organized the CANDY’s Early Career Researchers (ECRs) dedicated Master Class. This session provided space for learning, exchange, and mentoring, giving younger scientists the opportunity to sharpen their skills and connect with senior researchers in an open, supportive environment.
The General Assembly Meeting was then kikced-off by our Cooridnator Prof Jan K. Buitelaar from Radoud medical center and over the next sessions, the consortium immersed itself in updates and further discussions. Teams shared the latest analyses, results and final experiments, while aligning on the project’s closing steps. Conversations were lively and constructive. A key theme throughout the gathering was CANDY’s legacy. Beyond data and deliverables, partners reflected on how to ensure that the knowledge, tools and networks built within the project will continue to thrive. The group explored ways to carry forward the momentum, keeping alive the collaborations and advancing the shared mission of supporting children with neurodevelopmental conditions.
As each day ended, the consortium enjoyed the chance to reconnect in person, strengthening bonds, celebrating achievements, and simply enjoying being together after years of collaboration that had so often been virtual.
The Castelldefels meeting was more than a farewell. It was a moment of recognition for what CANDY has accomplished, and at the same time a beginning: a commitment to continue this important work, together, beyond the project’s official end.
As part of the “Horizon 2020” programme, the European Commission is funding the five-year CANDY research project with a total of six million Euro under grant agreement No. 847818.