Ecsite is currently working on a number of EU projects in a coordinating role. We are pleased to announce the kickoff of a new project, Pilots, which focuses on the role of the explainer in science centres and museums. Pilots will produce a European survey on the role of explainers, leading to training courses, local events and a dedicated web platform. After the success of their workshops at the 2007 and 2008 Annual Conferences, Ecsite’s thematic group for explainers, THE Group, will be central to this project. Pilots is funded through the European Union’s Lifelong Learning programme. The kick-off will take place in Trieste, Italy, and in Ljubljana, Slovenia, 27-29 November 2008.