The Nexus EXCELLENTIA Summit 2025 brought together a global community of young researchers, mentors, and international experts committed to advancing resilience and sustainability through mentorship, innovation, and interdisciplinary dialogue. Organized by the NexusNet COST Action CA20138, the Summit featured engaging sessions and valuable insights aimed at shaping cities and communities that are prepared for the challenges of a rapidly evolving world.

Key leaders, including Dr. Floor Brouwer (Vice-Chair) and Assistant Professor Giannis Adamos (Founder & Scientific Director of Nexus EXCELLENTIA), kicked off the Summit by emphasizing the vital role of youth in fostering sustainable transitions through courage, connection, and collaboration.

The first Session comprised of Science Talks that provided an in-depth exploration of how the Nexus EXCELLENTIA mentoring program has so far impacted young researchers to evolve and drive real-world change across various sectors.

In a dedicated session on Gender Perspectives and Intellectual Property Protection, speakers addressed the significance of fostering inclusivity as well as comprehending and leveraging intellectual property rights in the field of science.

Two Special Sessions addressed pressing global challenges. The first session explored the connections between the climate crisis, democracy, and social justice, featuring climate diplomacy experts and ESG leaders who highlighted the skills necessary for the next generation of sustainability professionals. The second session concentrated on innovation in transport, shipping, and logistics, providing solutions to the impacts of extreme events and showcasing adaptive infrastructure models to promote low-carbon and resilient mobility systems.

The Summit concluded with a forward-looking session on Building Human-Centered, Sustainable Urban Futures, marked by the launch of the Resilient Futures e-Community of Practice (e-CoP). This new platform will continue to foster collaboration among researchers, innovators, public authorities, and community leaders working toward socially just, sustainable, and inclusive urban environments.

In their closing remarks, Assistant Professor Giannis Adamos and Professor Chrysi Laspidou, Action Chair of NexusNet, emphasized that resilience is not a fixed destination but an ongoing process rooted in trust, inclusion, and courageous collaboration. They extended heartfelt thanks to all participants and members of the NexusNet Action for their contributions. The Summit powerfully reaffirmed that mentoring, knowledge-sharing, and cross-generational cooperation are essential pillars for building a sustainable and resilient future.

Programme