For the third year in a row, representatives of Cochrane’s European Geographic Groups met in person to discuss issues of common interest and to strengthen collaboration.
Following last year’s gathering in Split, Croatia, this year’s meeting was held in the lovely city of Freiburg, Germany, on 17th June 2026, at the University of Freiburg. Host of this year’s meeting was Cochrane Germany, led by Joerg Meerpohl (Scientific Director) and Claudia Breuer (Deputy Director). Head of the organising committee was Erik von Elm, from Cochrane Switzerland, who together with the organising committee members (Kristine Berg Titlestad – Cochrane Norway, Kim van der Braak – Cochrane Netherlands, Francesco Nonino – Cochrane Italy and Irena Zakarija-Grković – Cochrane Croatia) prepared a dynamic and diverse program.
Following a round of introductions, Cochrane’s CEO, Karla Soares-Weiser (online), began the meeting with an update of Cochrane’s key strategic projects. CET members, Roses Parker and Jo-Ana Chase, provided an update on editorial processes and the current situation regarding review timelines, which has improved over the previous year. They also announced The Cochrane Library’s new and improved impact factor of 11.1! Cochrane Geographic Group Executive member, Irena Zakarija-Grković, gave an overview of the revised ‘Systems and functions document for Cochrane Geographic Groups’, highlighting new structures, processes and privileges. Support Officer, Karla Duque Jacome, followed with a presentation of the implementation plan for the new system, which will be piloted in 2026. Solange Durao (online) gave European representatives an overview of the work of the Community of Practice, and Roses Parker and Jo-Ana Chase provided answers to questions, previously prepared by European Cochrane Geographic Group members, mainly on various aspects of review production. In the afternoon, representatives of CGG discussed topics of common interest: advocacy, promoting trial transparency in Europe, joint grant applications, the future of the methods webinar series, the need for a training survey and the future of the European network.
Everything ran smoothly thanks to the efficient time keeping of Erik von Elm and the excellent support of Cochrane Germany member, Damaris Bockstahler. Participants used the opportunity to network and socialise in the lovely setting of Freiburg. The following day, the 4th Methods Forum of the Cochrane Germany Foundation was held in the same venue, providing European CGG representative with the unique opportunity to participate in this event. Thanks to Cochrane for supporting the meeting of European Cochrane Groups!
Irena Zakarija-Grković, Director Cochrane Croatia