The Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum (MLZ) is one of 14 international research organisations participating in a European neutron science project bringing together a neutron ecosystem for sustainable science with ESS (BrightnESS-2). The three-year programme funded by the EU Research and Innovation programme Horizon 2020 started with its kick-off meeting in January and focuses on the long-term sustainability of the European Spallation Source (ESS) and its community.