cenn

CENn is a multinational, non-profit network established in the early 2010s to foster interoperability among European research, industry, and policy bodies. The acronym denotes the Central European Network for interoperability, a forum that coordinates standards development, information exchange, and collaborative projects across borders. Member contributions vary by country and institution, but the network's overarching aim is to reduce duplication of effort and accelerate joint innovation in data sharing, system integration, and interoperable infrastructures.

Structure and governance: CENn operates through a general assembly of member organizations, a steering committee that sets priorities, and multiple working groups focused on data formats, metadata, certification, and pilot testing. Membership spans national laboratories, universities, industry consortia, and government agencies. Activities include joint calls for proposals, technical workshops, pilot deployments, and the publication of best-practice guidelines. The network emphasizes open collaboration, transparency, and the broad dissemination of results.

Impact and status: CENn has contributed to harmonizing cross-border data exchange standards and enabling multi-institution projects. Its outputs include technical guidelines and reference architectures that other regional networks have adopted or adapted. The network continues to evolve with technology trends and policy priorities, maintaining a neutral role that encourages participation from both the public and private sectors.

Note: CENn is distinct from CEN, the European Committee for Standardization; the two share a similar acronym but operate independently.