Result description
An operational and inclusive network of trustworthy (or aspiring‑to‑be trustworthy) digital repositories (TDRs) that will foster the development and expansion of TDRs across the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) ecosystem. Digital repositories form a vital part of the research landscape, providing secure and long‑term access to digital research objects. As the EOSC continues to grow, the importance of TDRs increases, supporting active preservation and ensuring that digital research objects retain their FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) characteristics over time. The FIDELIS Network, launched in April 2025, aims to deliver value to its members and establish itself as a recognised component of the EOSC ecosystem, alongside an organisational and governance model that will maintain the Network beyond the project’s duration.
The Network already brings together 58 provisional members, reflecting strong interest and commitment from the TDR community. To get to know the current members, please visit: https://eden-fidelis.eu/network-member
What are the benefits of joining the FIDELIS Network? As provisional members of the FIDELIS Network, you can play an active role in guiding the future of TDRs in Europe.
Key benefits include:
- Helping define the FIDELIS Network, its governance, and its sustainability.
- Connecting with other Network members, learning about upcoming projects and EOSC developments, and potentially meeting future project partners.
- Free membership until January 2027.
Problem addressed
In June 2022, a community of prominent European repository operators and infrastructure providers released a working paper titled “Towards a European Network of FAIR-enabling Trustworthy Digital Repositories (TDRs)”(1). The document outlines a shared ambition to establish “a European network of FAIR-enabling Trustworthy Digital Repositories which will support the development and growth of TDRs.” Developed with extensive community feedback and endorsed by the EOSC Association Task Force on Long-Term Data Preservation(2), the paper asserts that such a network “can unite the repository community beyond finite project efforts, and offer a coordination and networking mechanism for addressing common challenges, like the need for long-term sustainability resources.”
The conclusions of this work subsequently motivated the European Commission to offer targeted financial support through a Horizon Europe funding call designed to address these identified needs. This call was awarded to the FIDELIS project consortium, which is tasked with advancing and implementing the community’s vision set out in the paper. By the end of its three-year project period (2025–2027), FIDELIS project aims to establish an operational and inclusive FIDELIS Network that will strengthen the open science ecosystem and ensure FAIR data sharing into the future.
Who can use the result
- Digital repositories at different levels of capability (includes research repositories and archives as well as repository and archive services) - Research infrastructures - Certification bodies - Funding agencies - Technical repository service providers - PolicymakersTimeline
The FIDELIS project will develop a sustainability plan for the Network by the end of 2026, outlining how the Network will continue to operate and remain supported after the project concludes.How to use the result
Type of result
