It is important to further boost Europe’s leading position in the field of neutron science – in both number and quality of publications. Moving in this direction, more than a dozen European countries are building the world’s most powerful neutron source. The European Spallation Source ERIC (ESS) in Lund, Sweden, is under construction and 76 % complete. Its unique capabilities will exceed those of today’s leading neutron sources, enabling new opportunities for researchers. The EU-funded BrightnESS-2 project will focus on the long-term sustainability of ESS and its community. Bringing together 16 partners, it will strive to ensure that neutron facilities in Europe provide access and services in a strategic and coordinated manner to user communities from Europe and beyond.