The kick-off meeting, took place in CSTC's office in Zaventem on December 10, 2002. Anders Henrichsen  presented an overview of the history of the ECO-SERVE Research project, which formed the basis for the ECO-SERVE Network. The main network activities were presented and the revisions made during the final stage of contract were identified. A memo regarding ‘mapping of research activities’ was distributed to illustrate the main substance of the changes in the work programme. Each of the cluster leaders then highlighted the main objectives to be dealt with during the coming meetings, and workshops.

It was decided that a workshop will be arranged for March 18 2003. The workshop will address the work programme for all clusters, benchmarking tools for environmental impact, environmental indicators etc. Invitation to all contractors was to follow later.

The EC Scientific Officer responsible for ECO-Serve George Katalagarianakis presented the general expectations the EC had in relation to networks and underlined a.o. that the network should speak to the society with one voice.

The main tasks of the network should be:

• Co-ordination of projects
• Rapid diffusion of results
• Assist in implementation of R&D results
• Create synergy