ENVRI FAIR - the next step towards FAIRer environmental research

European research infrastructures (RIs) are large facilities, networks and platforms providing services for European and international researchers. Examples of these facilities in the environmental domain are Integrated Carbon Observation System (ICOS), European LTER contribution, European Incoherent Scatter Scientific Association EISCAT. The environmental RIs have been for several years supported by ENVRI PLUS programme from the European Commission, with the aim of creating common solutions for these organisations, in the areas of technical development, data management, service access, societal impact, strategic collaboration, communication and other aspects.

The emergence of European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) initiative has also bought new requirements for the RIs. They are intended to form the basis of the EOSC platform, creating a basic virtual service portfolio for the researchers to use. This requires significant additional development of the RI services for technical and policy consistency.

New initiative ENVRI FAIR will answer to these challenges. Directly involving the European environmental RIs in the ESFRI roadmap, and some key technical specialist partners, this initiative concentrates on creating FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Re-usable) services for the upcoming EOSC and for the research communities worldwide. Common policies, open standards, interoperability solutions, operational services, and stewardship of data on the basis of FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Re-usable) principles require a common approach. The ENVRI FAIR includes as well further development what is actually meant by FAIR in the virtual service provision in the environmental domain.

This kind of approach does not work from purely one project perspective, and connection to other European, international and regional programmes working in the FAIR policy, standards and definitions are a crucial part of the activities. This presentation concentrates on creating these interfaces to FAIR related international initiatives and informing the further developments planned in the next 4 years.