Be a buddy. Open doors.
Every new ENAS member is offered a buddy, ideally from another country, for their first six months. The buddy answers questions, explains how ENAS works and opens doors into the network: voluntary, peer to peer, with very little effort.
Why a Buddy Programme?
For new members
A faster, warmer start. You know whom to ask and where to get involved from day one.
For buddies
An easy way to contribute and meet colleagues from other countries, with only a few meetings.
For ENAS
New members feel at home sooner and stay engaged. Part of our Together We Can campaign.
How a buddyship works
Six steps over about six months. The ENAS office makes the introduction; everything after that runs directly between buddy and new member.
- 01 New member registered The welcome e-mail asks whether they would like a buddy. Opting out is possible.
- 02 Random draw Within 2 weeks, the ENAS office draws a buddy from the pool.
- 03 Introduction One e-mail to both, with contact details and a kick-off checklist.
- 04 Kick-off meeting Within 4 weeks, online or in person. The buddy covers the essentials of ENAS.
- 05 2–3 follow-up meetings Every 4–8 weeks, as needed. Topics come from the new member's questions.
- 06 Wrap-up and feedback Around month 6, the last meeting includes a short wrap-up; both fill in a 2-minute feedback form.
The draw: simple and fair
There is no matching committee. The ENAS office draws one buddy at random from everyone in the pool who meets three rules:
from the new member
buddies choose 1 or 2 buddyships at a time
so the load spreads across the pool
Become a buddy
Anyone linked to an existing ENAS member can join the pool, across all membership types. Basic knowledge of how ENAS works and working English are enough. No selection, no training.
You register with
- Name and university or institution
- Country
- Languages besides English
- How many buddyships you can take at a time (1 or 2)
Your details are kept by the ENAS office and shared only with the new member you are drawn for.
As a buddy, you agree to
- Act voluntarily and without payment
- Hold a kick-off within 4 weeks, then 2–3 meetings every 4–8 weeks
- Answer questions and introduce people, working groups and events
- Share your own experience, not an official ENAS position
- Let the office pass your contact details to the new member; leave the pool anytime
- Give brief feedback at the end
New to ENAS?
You don't need to do anything. Once your membership is registered, your welcome e-mail asks whether you would like a buddy. Say yes and you will be introduced within about 3 weeks. Your buddy will talk you through things like these, and anything else you need:
The pilot: 12 months
We launch at the ENAS Forum 2026 in Seville ([FORUM DATE]), test the programme for one year and then decide together how to continue.
Form, checklist and introduction e-mail ready.
We present the programme and fill the buddy pool.
Every new member is offered a buddy; review in month 6.
Feedback, results at the General Assembly, decision by the EC.
Frequently asked questions
How much time does it take?
3–4 meetings over about six months, online or in person. You choose whether you take 1 or 2 buddyships at a time.
Is it paid?
No. Buddies volunteer in a peer-to-peer spirit, and the programme is free for new members.
What if it doesn't fit?
Tell the ENAS office and it draws a new buddy. No reasons needed.
Which language do we speak?
English works for everyone. If you share another language, even better.
Who sees my data?
Only the ENAS office, and the one new member you are drawn for. You can leave the pool at any time.
Do I need to be an expert?
No. If you know your way around ENAS and like meeting people, you are the right buddy.
Join the buddy pool.
Name, university, country, languages and contact. It takes about 2 minutes.