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The European Interferometry Initiative (EII; https://european-interferometry.eu/) is an open association of Institutes from 15 European countries collaborating on the exploitation and development of optical/infrared long baseline interferometry. Since its formation in the early 2000s the EII has fostered the development of interferometry in Europe and worldwide through programmes that develop the technology for making interferometric observations, support existing users of interferometry facilities, and encourage new generations of users to learn about and exploit interferometry for science observations. We discuss the successes and lessons learned in the delivery of the programmes initiated and managed by the EII, including the development of new hardware, software and techniques, the initiation of the VLTI Expertise Centres to support users, and training and networking through the VLTI summer schools and the Fizeau exchange programme. We discuss possible future programmes to further support and develop the interferometry community.
Buscher et al. (Wed,) studied this question.