The Symposia for European Freshwater Sciences are coordinated by the Freshwater Biological Association, in collaboration with other European freshwater and limnological Associations. The FBA is an independent charitable organisation based at Ambleside, UK, which, since 1929 has conducted and sponsored high-quality research into the functioning of freshwater ecosystems. A keen advocate of closer working links among European freshwater scientists, the Association's initiatives resulted in the first SEFS symposium in Antwerp. It has continued to provide support and administrative assistance to all subsequent SEFS meetings.