Vision and mission
The GÉANT Association consists of 43 European National Research and Education Networks (NRENs). For decades, we have been building physical and human networks across Europe and around the world. Our unique collaboration model delivers an unmatched multiplier effect and creates the digital foundation for research and education (R&E) in Europe.
Together, and as a trusted partner of the European Commission, we power the knowledge sharing and innovation essential for strengthening Europe’s competitiveness, security, and prosperity.
Our vision
Powering Knowledge for Europe.
Our mission
The GÉANT Association provides and advances the digital infrastructure and services required to accelerate research, education, and innovation for a secure and competitive Europe.
GÉANT Association Strategy 2026-2030
Strategic goals
Collaborate to strengthen physical and human networks across Europe and beyond
We will further strengthen collaboration between our unique and diverse human network – the most effective way to achieve not just the highest quality and geographic reach of the physical network, but the advancement of the entire digital foundation for research and education.
Create scalable, innovative services prioritised by the community
We will identify, co-create, and deliver digital services that integrate emerging technology to comprehensively address community priorities, while linking seamlessly to the digital infrastructure we provide.
Build a sustainable financial model
We will build a sustainable financial model that allows the GÉANT Association to continue its core operations, expand to new markets and end users, realise healthy service and product life cycles, and thrive in a rapidly advancing and commercially competitive technology landscape.
Challenges
The challenges we face as the GÉANT Association are not static. These are the current primary uncertainties, challenges or risks, and they will be monitored and updated annually:
- Geopolitical uncertainty with the risk of fragmentation.
- A diverse association with a spectrum of needs.
- A highly uncertain funding landscape.
- A changing EU regulatory environment.
- Evolving technology and user expectations.
Transformations
To both achieve our strategic goals and mitigate challenges, we strive to reach the following transformations by 2030:
- Realise platforms for NREN collaboration that facilitate both unity and NREN to NREN mutual benefit.
- Ensure organisational and association resilience through a sustainable business and governance model.
- Establish and execute a common vision on services and innovation with equal access across Europe and globally.
- Leverage our unique position in Europe to increase visibility and influence policy.
- Mainstream a proactive mindset and approach to anticipate and mitigate future uncertainties.
GÉANT Association Strategy Framework 2026-2030
The GÉANT Association Strategy 2026-2030 is underpinned by this Strategy Framework that further elaborates on the strategy and provides the framework for joint execution by the association. It also supports the creation of roadmaps and annual plans which inform the Annual Operating Plan and Budget.
Guiding principles
The GÉANT Association’s guiding principles provide the foundation for decision making and long term sustainability. They are the lens through which priorities, investments and collaboration models will be assessed.
Member centred | Innovation | Scalability | Financial logic | Proactive | Impact
Strategic service portfolio
The strategic service portfolio is the centrepiece of the GÉANT Association’s future direction. It reflects the association’s commitment to deliver high value, scalable services that meet evolving NREN and R&E user needs while maintaining financial sustainability. It is also diversifying into a complementary set of emerging and professional services to strengthen the human and organisational aspects of the community.
Joint design and delivery with NRENs and partners will be reinforced by an effective Product Lifecycle Management system and aligned with an innovation funnel and diversified funding channels. Each of the portfolio areas will ultimately be guided by thematic roadmaps, building on GÉANT’s CTO workshop results where relevant, and each service will have a clear Service Value Statement.
Technical services: Network infrastructure | Identity and Access Management (IAM) | Security
Emerging services: Data | Education | AI
Professional services: Events management | Advisory | Learning and talent development
Engagement and partnerships
Active engagement and partnerships are what enable and drive GÉANT to build trust, shape policy, expand its reach and co create services with members and partners. As funding opportunities evolve, the GÉANT Association must cultivate a broader and more dynamic partnership model and broaden its ecosystem to integrate new stakeholders from the digital R&E sphere. Engagement is a strategic capability that channels new knowledge, collaborative approaches, donor insights, and a global perspective for R&E service innovation development.
Global partnerships
The GÉANT Association will maintain and expand strategic partnerships with global Regional Education Networks (RENs) through collaborative projects and mutually beneficial initiatives to extend the value, reach and influence of the GÉANT Association and its members.
Influencing and policy engagement
The GÉANT Association will be broadly recognised as the secure, trusted, sovereign infrastructure for Europe. Together with its members it will engage proactively with the EC, relevant DGs, and policy bodies to ensure R&E needs remain visible and influential.
GÉANT Community Programme
The GÉANT Community Programme (GCP) will continue to be led by community representatives and serve as the primary platform for community initiatives.
Expanded ecosystem
To respond to emerging challenges and opportunities, the GÉANT Association will strengthen and broaden its partnerships and expand its engagement ecosystem where this adds value for NREN members, either directly through services, capabilities or efficiencies, or indirectly through influence, sustainability, scale or future opportunity.
Enabling strategies
The GÉANT organisation’s Enabling Strategies for Finance and Operation, People and Culture, Partner Relations, Security, and Communications will provide the environment and support needed to build a sustainable financial approach that delivers the strategic service portfolio and ensures effective engagement. Together, these components share common value and goals and help to manage resources. The functions below and accompanying core processes are key enablers of disciplined delivery, financial stability and organisational cohesion.
- Finance and Operation
- Project Portfolio and Delivery
- Service and Product Portfolio Management
- Compliance and Legal
- Digital, Data and AI
- Sustainability
- People and Culture
- Partner Relations
- Security
- Communications